Leviticus 13:55

53 But when the priest reexamines it, if the mildew has not spread in the fabric, weave, knit, or leather article,

54 the priest is to order the contaminated article to be washed and isolated for another seven days.

After it has been washed, the priest is to reexamine it, and if the mildewed article has not changed in appearance, it is unclean. Even though the mildew has not spread, you must burn it, whether the rot is on the front or back.

56 If the priest examines it and the mildew has faded after it has been washed, he must cut the contaminated section out of the fabric, leather, weave, or knit.

57 But if it reappears in the fabric, weave, or knit, or on any leather article, it is spreading. You must burn the contaminated article.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
After it has been washed, the priest is to reexamine it, and if the mildewed article has not changed in appearance, it is unclean. Even though the mildew has not spread, you must burn it, whether the rot is on the front or back.
KJV
And the priest shall look on the plague, after that it is washed: and, behold, if the plague have not changed his colour, and the plague be not spread; it is unclean; thou shalt burn it in the fire; it is fret inward, whether it be bare within or without.
WEB
Then the priest shall examine it, after the plague is washed; and behold, if the plague hasn’t changed its color, and the plague hasn’t spread, it is unclean; you shall burn it in the fire. It is a mildewed spot, whether the bareness is inside or outside.
ASV
and the priest shall look, after that the plague is washed; and, behold, if the plague have not changed its color, and the plague be not spread, it is unclean; thou shalt burn it in the fire: it is a fret, whether the bareness be within or without.
DARBY
And the priest shall look on the sore after the washing, and behold, if the sore have not changed its appearance, and the sore have not spread, it is unclean: thou shalt burn it with fire: it is a fretting sore on what is threadbare or where the nap is gone.
BLB
And the priest shall examine the plague after it has been washed, and behold, [if] the plague has not turned its eye, and the plague has not spread, it [is] unclean, and you shall burn it in the fire; it [is] a rot in its back part or in its front part.
ÅB
Og når presten så ser på det, etter at det er vasket, og han finner at flekkene ikke ser anderledes ut enn før, men at de heller ikke har bredt seg videre ut, da er det urent, du skal brenne det opp med ild; det er av det slag som spiser seg inn, på vrangen eller på retten.
OTB
Etter at artikkelen er blitt vasket, skal presten undersøke den igjen, og hvis merket ikke har endret utseende, selv om det ikke har spredt seg, er det urent. Brenn det, enten merket er på baksiden eller forsiden.
B1930
Og når presten så ser på det, efterat det er tvettet, og han finner at flekkene ikke ser anderledes ut enn før, men at de heller ikke har bredt sig videre ut, da er det urent, du skal brenne det op med ild; det er av det slag som eter sig inn, på vrangen eller på retten.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Peter 2:20–22

    If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first.

    Read in context
  • 2 Peter 1:9

    But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 24:13

    Because of the indecency of your uncleanness I tried to cleanse you, but you would not be purified from your filthiness. You will not be pure again until My wrath against you has subsided.

    Read in context
  • Hebrews 6:4–8

    It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,

    Read in context