Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Leviticus, Chapter 13ויקרא 13

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

A forensic manual: the priest only declares, using quarantine to let a mark's behavior resolve the verdict — total whiteness is yet clean, since the sign of raw flesh is then absent. The declared unclean tears his clothes, cries 'unclean, unclean,' and dwells outside the camp; the same procedure even reaches mold in cloth and leather.

Translation & textual notes

Leviticus 13 is textually one of the most stable chapters in Leviticus — the MT shows no major variants against the Samaritan Pentateuch or the versions, and the Qumran fragments (4QLevb) that overlap this material agree closely with the Masoretic consonantal text. The real crux is not textual but LEXICAL and CONCEPTUAL: צָרַעַת, traditionally rendered 'leprosy' since the LXX's λέπρα and the Vulgate's lepra, almost certainly does not denote Hansen's disease, which is chronic, slow, and does not spontaneously resolve or spread the way this chapter's conditions do (see esp. vv. 5-6, 34, 37, 58, where the mark visibly fades, stabilizes, or heals within days). Modern scholarship generally understands צָרַעַת as a broad forensic-cultic category covering various scaly, discoloring skin conditions (psoriasis, favus, vitiligo-like conditions) — and, remarkably, the SAME term and the SAME priestly protocol are applied to mold or mildew in wool, linen, and leather (vv. 47-59), and in ch. 14 to a fungal-type affliction in house walls. This cross-application strongly suggests the term names a VISUAL PATTERN of spreading, corrupting discoloration rather than a specific pathology, human or otherwise. Several technical terms — שְׂאֵת, סַפַּחַת, בַּהֶרֶת, נֶתֶק, בֹּהַק, פְּחֶתֶת — resist confident translation and are best glossed provisionally rather than rendered with false precision. The priest's role throughout is diagnostic and forensic (declaring טָמֵא or טָהוֹר), never therapeutic; he treats no one. Versification follows the MT throughout.

1

וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֥ה וְאֶֽל אַהֲרֹ֖ן לֵאמֹֽר

And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,

Introduces new divine speech (chapter-opening formula)וַ
The wayyiqtol opening formula addresses BOTH Moses and Aaron (unlike many priestly instructions addressed to Moses alone) — fitting since the chapter concerns the priest's diagnostic role.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֣רspokewayyiqtol (Piel) 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative opening)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance introducing divine speechדִּבֶּר (H1696) Piel of דבר 'to speak'; the standard formula introducing divine legal/instructional speech throughout Leviticus.
יְהוָ֔הthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of דִּבֶּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; traditionally vocalized with the vowels of אֲדֹנָי and rendered 'the LORD'.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the recipient of divine speech.
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition (addressee)מֹשֶׁה (H4872), the lawgiver and primary addressee of Levitical instruction.
וְאֶֽלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Coordinating conjunction + prepositional phrase (second addressee)וְ joins the second addressee; אֶל (H413) as above.
אַהֲרֹ֖ןAaronN proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Object of preposition (second addressee)אַהֲרֹן (H175), the high priest; his inclusion as co-addressee fits this chapter's focus on priestly diagnostic duty.
לֵאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive construct (quotative, introducing direct discourse)→ Infinitive construct: the standard formulaic hinge introducing the quoted divine speech that followsאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; לֵאמֹר is the fixed formula opening reported speech, untranslated as a separate clause in English.
2

אָדָ֗ם כִּֽי יִהְיֶ֤ה בְעוֹר בְּשָׂרוֹ֙ שְׂאֵ֤ת אֽוֹ סַפַּ֨חַת֙ א֣וֹ בַהֶ֔רֶת וְהָיָ֥ה בְעוֹר בְּשָׂר֖וֹ לְנֶ֣גַע צָרָ֑עַת וְהוּבָא֙ אֶל אַהֲרֹ֣ן הַכֹּהֵ֔ן א֛וֹ אֶל אַחַ֥ד מִבָּנָ֖יו הַכֹּהֲנִֽים

When a person has on the skin of his body a swelling, or a scab, or a bright spot, and it becomes on the skin of his body a mark of scale disease, then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest, or to one of his sons the priests.

Casuistic protasis opening the chapter's first caseasyndeton
כִּי introduces the first of many casuistic (case-law) protases in the chapter. Three terms for a skin anomaly are piled up — שְׂאֵת, סַפַּחַת, בַּהֶרֶת — whose precise differentiation is uncertain; the point is diagnostic triage, not dermatological precision. The apodosis routes the sufferer to a priest, never a physician.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
אָדָ֗םa personN m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Subject (casus pendens, fronted before כִּי)אָדָם (H120) 'man, mankind, person'; generic term for any human being, fronted here to open the casuistic protasis.
כִּֽיwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (introduces casuistic protasis)כִּי (H3588) here in its conditional/temporal sense 'when, if'; opens the case-law protasis characteristic of priestly legislation.
יִהְיֶ֤הthere isQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential, protasis)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a hypothetical case introduced by כִּיהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; existential 'there arises/comes to be' governing the following skin-condition nouns.
בְעוֹרon the skin ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phraseעוֹר (H5785) 'skin, hide'; construct before בְּשָׂרוֹ, 'on the skin of his body' — the chapter's basic site of diagnosis.
בְּשָׂרוֹ֙his bodyN m sg constr + 3ms sf · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Genitival complement of עוֹר (construct chain)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, body'; here in construct chain 'skin of his body/flesh' — a stock phrase for the person's own skin.
שְׂאֵ֤תa swellingN f sg abs · שְׂאֵת (H7613)Subject (first of three alternative skin anomalies)שְׂאֵת (H7613) 'swelling, rising', from נָשָׂא 'to lift/rise'; the first of three provisionally-glossed technical terms for a suspicious skin anomaly.
אֽוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating disjunctive conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; links the alternative terms for the skin anomaly.
סַפַּ֨חַת֙a scabN f sg abs · סַפַּחַת (H5597)Subject (second of three alternative skin anomalies)סַפַּחַת (H5597) 'scab, eruption', related to סָפַח 'to attach/scale off'; second of the three provisional terms for a suspicious mark.
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating disjunctive conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; links the third alternative term.
בַהֶ֔רֶתa bright spotN f sg abs · בַּהֶרֶת (H934)Subject (third of three alternative skin anomalies)בַּהֶרֶת (H934) 'bright/white spot', from a root denoting brightness; the third and most frequently recurring of the chapter's technical terms.
וְהָיָ֥הand it becomesweqatal (Qal) 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (weqatal, continuing protasis)→ Weqatal: continues the casuistic sequence, describing the anomaly's progression toward a diagnosable markהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; here marking the anomaly's development into a נֶגַע צָרַעַת.
בְעוֹרon the skin ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phraseעוֹר (H5785) 'skin'; repeats the site-phrase now that the anomaly has become a diagnosable mark.
בְּשָׂר֖וֹhis bodyN m sg constr + 3ms sf · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Genitival complement of עוֹר (construct chain)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, body'; repeats the construct phrase 'his body'.
לְנֶ֣גַעa mark ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · נֶגַע (H5061)Predicate complement (result of וְהָיָה)נֶגַע (H5061) 'mark, plague, stroke', from נָגַע 'to touch/strike'; the chapter's generic umbrella term for any suspicious mark.
צָרָ֑עַתscale diseaseN f sg abs · צָרַעַת (H6883)Genitival complement (construct chain with נֶגַע)צָרַעַת (H6883), traditionally 'leprosy' but better a broad forensic-cultic term for scaly, spreading skin discoloration (see chapter text_note); never Hansen's disease.
וְהוּבָא֙then he shall be broughtweqatal (Hophal) 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb, apodosis (passive)→ Weqatal (passive): the consequent obligatory action — the sufferer is to be brought for diagnosisבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go, bring'; Hophal 'to be brought/led', passive of the causative — the sufferer has no agency, he is delivered to the priest.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413) 'to, unto'; marks Aaron as the one to whom the sufferer is brought.
אַהֲרֹ֣ןAaronN proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Object of prepositionאַהֲרֹן (H175); named here in his priestly capacity as the one who examines the mark.
הַכֹּהֵ֔ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Apposition to אַהֲרֹןכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; in apposition identifying Aaron's role — the diagnostic authority throughout the chapter.
א֛וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating disjunctive conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; offers the alternative of an ordinary priest, not only Aaron himself.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal, second alternative)אֶל (H413) 'to, unto'; introduces the alternative recipient.
אַחַ֥דonenum m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Construct head (partitive, governing מִבָּנָיו)אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; here partitive, 'one of his sons' — any ordinary priest suffices for the examination.
מִבָּנָ֖יוof his sonsprep מִן + N m pl constr + 3ms sf · בֵּן (H1121)Partitive prepositional phraseבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; מִן partitive, 'from among his sons' — Aaron's priestly descendants.
הַכֹּהֲנִֽיםthe priestsart + N m pl abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Apposition to בָּנָיוכֹּהֵן (H3548) plural; identifies Aaron's sons collectively in their priestly office.
3

וְרָאָ֣ה הַכֹּהֵ֣ן אֶת הַנֶּ֣גַע בְּעֽוֹר הַ֠בָּשָׂר וְשֵׂעָ֨ר בַּנֶּ֜גַע הָפַ֣ךְ לָבָ֗ן וּמַרְאֵ֤ה הַנֶּ֨גַע֙ עָמֹק֙ מֵע֣וֹר בְּשָׂר֔וֹ נֶ֥גַע צָרַ֖עַת ה֑וּא וְרָאָ֥הוּ הַכֹּהֵ֖ן וְטִמֵּ֥א אֹתֽוֹ

The priest shall examine the mark on the skin of the body: if the hair in the mark has turned white and the mark appears deeper than the skin of the body, it is a mark of scale disease; when the priest has examined him, he shall declare him unclean.

First diagnostic criterion: white hair plus deeper appearanceוְ
The two diagnostic signs — hair turned white, appearance sunk below the skin — recur throughout the chapter as the priest's basic visual protocol. The priest DECLARES (וְטִמֵּא) rather than treats; his verdict is forensic-cultic, not medical.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וְרָאָ֣הshall examineweqatal (Qal) 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb, apodosis (main-line instruction)→ Weqatal: apodosis instruction sequential to the protasis of v. 2 — the priest's diagnostic actרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; technical for the priest's forensic examination throughout the chapter, not casual looking.
הַכֹּהֵ֣ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְרָאָהכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; the diagnostic subject of the chapter's core examination formula.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַנֶּגַע as the definite direct object of רָאָה; untranslated in English.
הַנֶּ֣גַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Direct object of רָאָהנֶגַע (H5061) 'mark, plague'; now definite, referring back to the anomaly introduced in v. 2.
בְּעֽוֹרon the skin ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phraseעוֹר (H5785) 'skin'; the site of the priestly examination.
הַ֠בָּשָׂרthe bodyart + N m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Genitival complement of עוֹרבָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, body'; here the article stands in for the expected construct/suffix, giving 'the skin, [that is,] the body' or simply 'the body's skin'.
וְשֵׂעָ֨רand the hairconj וְ + N m sg abs · שֵׂעָר (H8181)Subject (fronted before הָפַךְ)שֵׂעָר (H8181) 'hair'; its color-change is the chapter's primary diagnostic sign alongside sunken appearance.
בַּנֶּ֜גַעin the markprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Locative prepositional phraseנֶגַע (H5061) 'mark'; specifies where the hair-color change is observed.
הָפַ֣ךְhas turnedQal perf 3ms · הָפַךְ (H2015)Predicate verb (subordinate conditional clause)→ Perfective: a completed change of state — the hair has already turned whiteהָפַךְ (H2015) 'to turn, overturn, change'; describes the diagnostic color-change of the hair, the chapter's first-mentioned criterion.
לָבָ֗ןwhiteadj m sg abs · לָבָן (H3836)Predicate adjective (complement of הָפַךְ)לָבָן (H3836) 'white'; the chapter's key diagnostic color, distinguishing suspicious marks from harmless ones.
וּמַרְאֵ֤הand the appearance ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · מַרְאֶה (H4758)Subject (second diagnostic criterion)מַרְאֶה (H4758) 'appearance, sight', from רָאָה; introduces the second diagnostic sign — visual depth relative to the surrounding skin.
הַנֶּ֨גַע֙the markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Genitival complement of מַרְאֵה (construct chain)נֶגַע (H5061) 'mark'; 'the appearance of the mark' — its visual depth relative to the skin.
עָמֹק֙deeperadj m sg abs · עָמֹק (H6013)Predicate adjectiveעָמֹק (H6013) 'deep'; the mark appears sunk below the level of the surrounding skin, the chapter's second core diagnostic sign.
מֵע֣וֹרthan the skin ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · עוֹר (H5785)Comparative prepositional phraseעוֹר (H5785) 'skin'; מִן comparative, 'deeper than the skin' — the mark sinks below the surrounding surface.
בְּשָׂר֔וֹhis bodyN m sg constr + 3ms sf · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Genitival complement of עוֹר (construct chain)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, body'; completes the comparative phrase 'than the skin of his body'.
נֶ֥גַעa mark ofN m sg constr · נֶגַע (H5061)Predicate nominativeנֶגַע (H5061) 'mark'; the verdict-formula 'it is a mark of צָרַעַת' recurs across the chapter's diagnostic units.
צָרַ֖עַתscale diseaseN f sg abs · צָרַעַת (H6883)Genitival complement (construct chain with נֶגַע)צָרַעַת (H6883); the formal verdict term, here completing 'a mark of צָרַעַת it is'.
ה֑וּאit (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Predicate/copular pronoun (verbless clause)הוּא (H1931) 'he, it'; functions as a copula in this verbless nominal clause, 'it is a mark of scale disease'.
וְרָאָ֥הוּwhen he has examined himweqatal (Qal) 3ms + 3ms sf · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (weqatal, temporal/circumstantial)→ Weqatal: the priest's completed act of examination that grounds the following verdictרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, examine'; with 3ms object suffix, 'has examined him' — the scaffold mistags this finite verb as a noun; re-derived as a verb per morphology.
הַכֹּהֵ֖ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְרָאָהוּכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; subject of the examination that grounds the unclean verdict.
וְטִמֵּ֥אhe shall declare uncleanweqatal (Piel) 3ms · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb, apodosis (declarative performative)→ Weqatal: the priest's declarative verdict, forensic-cultic rather than medicalטָמֵא (H2930) Piel 'to declare/pronounce unclean' (denominative from adj. טָמֵא H2931); a performative speech-act constituting the person's cultic status, not a diagnosis of disease per se.
אֹתֽוֹhimobj marker + 3ms sf · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object, pronominal)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, 'him' — the direct object of וְטִמֵּא.
4

וְאִם בַּהֶרֶת֩ לְבָנָ֨ה הִ֜וא בְּע֣וֹר בְּשָׂר֗וֹ וְעָמֹק֙ אֵין מַרְאֶ֣הָ מִן הָע֔וֹר וּשְׂעָרָ֖ה לֹא הָפַ֣ךְ לָבָ֑ן וְהִסְגִּ֧יר הַכֹּהֵ֛ן אֶת הַנֶּ֖גַע שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים

But if the bright spot on the skin of his body is white, and it does not appear deeper than the skin, and its hair has not turned white, the priest shall shut up the diseased person for seven days.

Contrasting protasis: ambiguous case triggers quarantine rather than verdictוְאִם
Where the two diagnostic signs are ABSENT, the priest neither clears nor condemns but ISOLATES for seven days — the first appearance of the chapter's signature waiting-period mechanism, which defers judgment until the condition's behavior (spreading or not) can be observed.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וְאִםbut ifconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Subordinating conjunction (contrasting protasis)אִם (H518) 'if'; introduces a contrasting case where the diagnostic signs are ambiguous, triggering quarantine rather than immediate verdict.
בַּהֶרֶת֩the bright spotN f sg abs · בַּהֶרֶת (H934)Subjectבַּהֶרֶת (H934) 'bright/white spot'; now the sole term under consideration, isolating this sub-case from the שְׂאֵת/סַפַּחַת options of v. 2.
לְבָנָ֨הwhiteadj f sg abs · לָבָן (H3836)Predicate adjectiveלָבָן (H3836) 'white'; here the spot's own base color is white — the ambiguity concerns the ABSENT secondary signs (deep appearance, white hair), not this base color.
הִ֜ואit (is)pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Predicate/copular pronoun (verbless clause)הִיא (H1931), feminine form agreeing with בַּהֶרֶת; copula in the verbless clause 'the bright spot — it is white'.
בְּע֣וֹרon the skin ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phraseעוֹר (H5785) 'skin'; locates the bright spot on the sufferer's own body.
בְּשָׂר֗וֹhis bodyN m sg constr + 3ms sf · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Genitival complement of עוֹר (construct chain)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, body'; completes 'the skin of his body'.
וְעָמֹק֙and deeperconj וְ + adj m sg abs · עָמֹק (H6013)Predicate adjective (negated by אֵין)עָמֹק (H6013) 'deep'; here negated ('there is no deep appearance') — the second diagnostic sign is absent, unlike v. 3.
אֵיןthere is notnegative particle · אֵין (H369)Negative existential particle (predicate negator)אֵין (H369) 'there is not'; negates the existence of a deep appearance — this bright spot lacks the sunken-appearance sign.
מַרְאֶ֣הָits appearanceN m sg constr + 3fs sf · מַרְאֶה (H4758)Subject of negated existential clauseמַרְאֶה (H4758) 'appearance'; with 3fs suffix referring back to בַּהֶרֶת, 'its (the spot's) appearance is not deep'.
מִןthanprep · מִן (H4480)Comparative prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from'; comparative here, 'deeper than the skin' (negated).
הָע֔וֹרthe skinart + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Object of preposition מִןעוֹר (H5785) 'skin'; the surrounding skin against which depth is (not) measured.
וּשְׂעָרָ֖הand its hairconj וְ + N m sg constr + 3fs sf · שֵׂעָר (H8181)Subject (fronted before לֹא הָפַךְ)שֵׂעָר (H8181) 'hair'; with 3fs suffix referring to the bright spot's own hair, which likewise has not turned white.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (negates הָפַךְ)לֹא (H3808) 'not'; standard clausal negator, here negating the hair-color change.
הָפַ֣ךְhas turnedQal perf 3ms · הָפַךְ (H2015)Predicate verb (negated, subordinate conditional clause)→ Perfective (negated): the hair has NOT undergone the diagnostic color-changeהָפַךְ (H2015) 'to turn, change'; negated here — absence of this sign, along with absence of sunken appearance, is what makes the case ambiguous and triggers quarantine rather than verdict.
לָבָ֑ןwhiteadj m sg abs · לָבָן (H3836)Predicate adjective (complement of הָפַךְ, negated)לָבָן (H3836) 'white'; the target color the hair has NOT reached — sign absent.
וְהִסְגִּ֧ירshall shut upweqatal (Hiphil) 3ms · סָגַר (H5462)Predicate verb, apodosis (main instruction)→ Weqatal: the apodosis instruction — since the case is ambiguous, the priest defers judgment via quarantineסָגַר (H5462) Hiphil 'to shut up, confine'; introduces the chapter's signature waiting-period mechanism, deferring verdict until the mark's behavior can be observed.
הַכֹּהֵ֛ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְהִסְגִּירכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; the one authorized to impose quarantine.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַנֶּגַע as the definite direct object of וְהִסְגִּיר.
הַנֶּ֖גַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Direct object of וְהִסְגִּיר (metonymy for the afflicted person)נֶגַע (H5061) 'mark'; here object of 'shut up' — by metonymy the priest confines the PERSON bearing the mark, smoothed in translation as 'the diseased person'.
שִׁבְעַ֥תsevennum m sg constr · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Construct head of adverbial accusative (duration)שֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'; governs יָמִים in construct, 'seven days' — the chapter's recurring quarantine interval.
יָמִֽיםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of durationיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural completing 'seven days', the standard priestly quarantine period.
5

וְרָאָ֣הוּ הַכֹּהֵן֮ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי֒ וְהִנֵּ֤ה הַנֶּ֨גַע֙ עָמַ֣ד בְּעֵינָ֔יו לֹֽא פָשָׂ֥ה הַנֶּ֖גַע בָּע֑וֹר וְהִסְגִּיר֧וֹ הַכֹּהֵ֛ן שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים שֵׁנִֽית

The priest shall examine him on the seventh day, and if in his eyes the mark has stayed as it was and the mark has not spread on the skin, the priest shall shut him up again for seven more days.

First re-examination: unchanged condition extends quarantineוְ
הִנֵּה marks the priest's fresh visual assessment. 'Stayed in his eyes' (עָמַד בְּעֵינָיו) makes explicit that the verdict rests on the priest's own observation, not an abstract standard. Spreading (פָשָׂה) becomes the operative criterion from here on.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְרָאָ֣הוּshall examine himweqatal (Qal) 3ms + 3ms sf · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb, apodosis (re-examination)→ Weqatal: the priest's re-examination after the first quarantine period concludesרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, examine'; the scaffold mistags this finite verb as a noun — re-derived as a verb per morphology. Opens the chapter's signature re-examination cycle.
הַכֹּהֵן֮the priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְרָאָהוּכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; conducts the mandated re-examination.
בַּיּ֣וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; specifies when the re-examination occurs.
הַשְּׁבִיעִי֒the seventhart + ordinal m sg abs · שְׁבִיעִי (H7637)Attributive adjective (modifying יּוֹם)שְׁבִיעִי (H7637) 'seventh'; marks the end of the first quarantine period and the timing of the mandated re-examination.
וְהִנֵּ֤הand beholdconj וְ + interjection · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (marks the priest's fresh observation)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; signals the priest's direct visual assessment on re-examination, grounding the verdict in what he himself sees.
הַנֶּ֨גַע֙the markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject of עָמַדנֶגַע (H5061) 'mark'; the same anomaly under continued observation.
עָמַ֣דhas stayedQal perf 3ms · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb (subordinate/circumstantial clause after הִנֵּה)→ Perfective: a completed, static condition — the mark has remained unchanged since the first examinationעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand, remain, stay'; with בְּעֵינָיו, 'has stayed [as it was] in his eyes' — stasis is neither a clean nor unclean sign by itself, but licenses further quarantine.
בְּעֵינָ֔יוin his eyesprep בְּ + N c dual constr + 3ms sf · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locus of judgment)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye' (dual); 'in his eyes' grounds the verdict explicitly in the priest's own visual perception, not an abstract external standard.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (negates פָשָׂה)לֹא (H3808) 'not'; standard clausal negator — here the mark has NOT spread, one of the two conditions licensing a second quarantine.
פָשָׂ֥הhas spreadQal perf 3ms · פָּשָׂה (H6581)Predicate verb (negated, circumstantial clause after הִנֵּה)→ Perfective (negated): the mark has NOT undergone the diagnostic spreadingפָּשָׂה (H6581) 'to spread, extend'; the chapter's operative criterion from here on — a mark that spreads is unclean, one that holds or fades is not.
הַנֶּ֖גַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject of פָשָׂהנֶגַע (H5061) 'mark'; the same anomaly, now assessed for whether it has spread.
בָּע֑וֹרon the skinprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phraseעוֹר (H5785) 'skin'; the surface across which spreading is measured.
וְהִסְגִּיר֧וֹshall shut him upweqatal (Hiphil) 3ms + 3ms sf · סָגַר (H5462)Predicate verb, apodosis (renewed quarantine)→ Weqatal: the apodosis instruction — a second seven-day confinement, since the unchanged mark is still undiagnosedסָגַר (H5462) Hiphil 'to shut up, confine', with 3ms object suffix 'him'; the scaffold mistags this finite verb as a noun — re-derived as a verb per morphology.
הַכֹּהֵ֛ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְהִסְגִּירוֹכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; imposes the second quarantine period.
שִׁבְעַ֥תsevennum m sg constr · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Construct head of adverbial accusative (duration)שֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'; governs יָמִים, 'seven days' — the recurring quarantine interval.
יָמִ֖יםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of durationיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural completing 'seven days'.
שֵׁנִֽיתa second timeordinal f sg abs · שֵׁנִי (H8145)Adverbial accusative (a second time)שֵׁנִי (H8145) 'second'; feminine form used adverbially, 'a second time' — the additional seven-day quarantine.
6

וְרָאָה֩ הַכֹּהֵ֨ן אֹת֜וֹ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי֮ שֵׁנִית֒ וְהִנֵּה֙ כֵּהָ֣ה הַנֶּ֔גַע וְלֹא פָשָׂ֥ה הַנֶּ֖גַע בָּע֑וֹר וְטִהֲר֤וֹ הַכֹּהֵן֙ מִסְפַּ֣חַת הִ֔יא וְכִבֶּ֥ס בְּגָדָ֖יו וְטָהֵֽר

The priest shall examine him again on the seventh day, and if the mark has faded and it has not spread on the skin, the priest shall declare him clean; it is a scab. He shall wash his clothes, and he is clean.

Second re-examination: fading plus no spread yields clean verdictוְ
כֵּהָה 'faded, dim' contrasts with the deepening/spreading criteria of uncleanness. The clean verdict is sealed with a garment-washing rite even though no true disease was present — a reminder that mere suspicion of impurity already required ritual closure.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְרָאָה֩shall examineweqatal (Qal) 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb, apodosis (second re-examination)→ Weqatal: the priest's re-examination at the close of the second quarantine periodרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, examine'; the priest's mandated re-examination at the end of the second quarantine.
הַכֹּהֵ֨ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְרָאָהכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; conducts the second re-examination.
אֹת֜וֹhimobj marker + 3ms sf · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object, pronominal)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, 'him' — the object of the priest's examination; scaffold mistags the object-marker as a noun, re-derived as x.
בַּיּ֣וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; specifies the timing of the second re-examination.
הַשְּׁבִיעִי֮the seventhart + ordinal m sg abs · שְׁבִיעִי (H7637)Attributive adjective (modifying יּוֹם)שְׁבִיעִי (H7637) 'seventh'; marks the end of the second quarantine period.
שֵׁנִית֒againordinal f sg abs · שֵׁנִי (H8145)Adverbial accusative (a second time)שֵׁנִי (H8145) 'second'; feminine used adverbially, 'a second time, again' — the second re-examination.
וְהִנֵּה֙and beholdconj וְ + interjection · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (marks the priest's fresh observation)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; signals the priest's direct visual assessment; scaffold mistags as a noun, re-derived as x.
כֵּהָ֣הhas fadedPiel perf 3ms · כָּהָה (H3544)Predicate verb (circumstantial clause after הִנֵּה)→ Perfective: a completed change — the mark has grown dim/dull, the sign that it is healingכָּהָה (H3544) 'to be/grow dim, faint, dull'; the mark's fading is the positive sign of harmlessness, opposite of the spreading/deepening of true צָרַעַת.
הַנֶּ֔גַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject of כֵּהָהנֶגַע (H5061) 'mark'; here observed to have faded.
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (negates פָשָׂה)לֹא (H3808) 'not'; scaffold mistags the negative as a noun, re-derived as x — the mark has not spread.
פָשָׂ֥הhas spreadQal perf 3ms · פָּשָׂה (H6581)Predicate verb (negated, circumstantial clause)→ Perfective (negated): the mark has NOT spread — the second condition for a clean verdictפָּשָׂה (H6581) 'to spread'; its absence, together with fading, seals the clean verdict here.
הַנֶּ֖גַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject of פָשָׂהנֶגַע (H5061) 'mark'; subject of the negated 'has not spread'.
בָּע֑וֹרon the skinprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phraseעוֹר (H5785) 'skin'; the surface across which non-spreading is confirmed.
וְטִהֲר֤וֹshall declare him cleanweqatal (Piel) 3ms + 3ms sf · טָהֵר (H2891)Predicate verb, apodosis (declarative performative)→ Weqatal: the priest's declarative clean verdict — a performative speech-act, forensic-cultic not medicalטָהֵר (H2891) Piel 'to declare/pronounce clean'; with 3ms suffix 'him'. The scaffold mistags this finite verb as a noun — re-derived as a verb per morphology; the priest constitutes cultic status, he does not heal.
הַכֹּהֵן֙the priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְטִהֲרוֹכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; pronounces the clean verdict.
מִסְפַּ֣חַתa scabN f sg abs · מִסְפַּחַת (H4556)Predicate nominative (verdict formula)מִסְפַּחַת (H4556), a rare dermatological term (related to סַפַּחַת) of uncertain precise meaning — provisionally 'scab, eruption'; here the harmless residual condition, not צָרַעַת.
הִ֔יאit (is)pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Predicate/copular pronoun (verbless clause)הִיא (H1931), feminine agreeing with מִסְפַּחַת; copula in the verbless verdict-clause 'it is a scab'.
וְכִבֶּ֥סand he shall washweqatal (Piel) 3ms · כָּבַס (H3526)Predicate verb, apodosis (purification rite)→ Weqatal: the concluding cleansing act sealing the clean verdictכָּבַס (H3526) Piel 'to wash (clothes) by treading/kneading'; a ritual laundering that formally closes the case even though no true disease was present.
בְּגָדָ֖יוhis clothesN m pl constr + 3ms sf · בֶּגֶד (H899)Direct object of וְכִבֶּסבֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment, clothing'; the object of the ritual laundering.
וְטָהֵֽרand he is cleanweqatal (Qal) 3ms · טָהֵר (H2891)Predicate verb (resultant state)→ Weqatal: the resultant declared state — the person is (now) cleanטָהֵר (H2891) Qal 'to be clean, pure'; the Qal states the achieved status (he IS clean), distinct from the Piel declarative (the priest DECLARES him clean) earlier in the verse.
7

וְאִם פָּשֹׂ֨ה תִפְשֶׂ֤ה הַמִּסְפַּ֨חַת֙ בָּע֔וֹר אַחֲרֵ֧י הֵרָאֹת֛וֹ אֶל הַכֹּהֵ֖ן לְטָהֳרָת֑וֹ וְנִרְאָ֥ה שֵׁנִ֖ית אֶל הַכֹּהֵֽן

But if the scab spreads further on the skin after he has shown himself to the priest for his cleansing, he shall show himself again to the priest.

Reversal case: post-clearance spread requires renewed examinationוְאִם
The infinitive absolute construction פָּשֹׂה תִפְשֶׂה ('spreading, it spreads') intensifies the verb, underscoring that even after a clean verdict, the condition can reassert itself, requiring the sufferer's own initiative to return.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְאִםbut ifconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Coordinating conjunction + subordinating conjunction (contrasting protasis)אִם (H518) 'if'; with waw introduces the reversal case — the scab spreading again after a clean verdict.
פָּשֹׂ֨הspreadingQal inf abs · פָּשָׂה (H6581)Infinitive absolute (intensifying the following finite verb)→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: emphatic — if the scab truly/decidedly spreadsפָּשָׂה (H6581) 'to spread, extend'; the inf. abs. before תִפְשֶׂה forms the emphatic construction פָּשֹׂה תִפְשֶׂה, 'spreads surely/greatly'.
תִפְשֶׂ֤הspreadsQal impf 3fs · פָּשָׂה (H6581)Predicate verb (protasis; paired with the preceding inf. absolute)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a hypothetical spreading after the clean verdictפָּשָׂה (H6581) 'to spread'; 3fs agreeing with feminine מִסְפַּחַת — the operative criterion of the whole chapter.
הַמִּסְפַּ֨חַת֙the scabart + N f sg abs · מִסְפַּחַת (H4556)Subject of תִפְשֶׂהמִסְפַּחַת (H4556) 'scab, eruption', related to סַפַּחַת and סָפַח 'scale off'; precise sense uncertain — a provisional 'scab'.
בָּע֔וֹרon the skinprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phraseעוֹר (H5785) 'skin'; the surface across which spreading is measured.
אַחֲרֵ֧יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Temporal prepositional phraseאַחֲרֵי (H310) 'after, behind'; here temporal, 'after' his first presentation to the priest.
הֵרָאֹת֛וֹhe showed himselfNiphal inf constr + 3ms sf · רָאָה (H7200)Infinitive construct with subject suffix (object of אַחֲרֵי)→ Infinitive construct: the completed act of presenting himself, governed by 'after'רָאָה (H7200) Niphal 'to be seen, show oneself'; the reflexive/passive inf. constr. with 3ms subject-suffix, 'his showing himself to the priest'. Scaffold mistags this verb as a noun; re-derived as a verb.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413) 'to, unto'; marks the priest as the one to whom he presented himself.
הַכֹּהֵ֖ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Object of prepositionכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; the diagnostic authority to whom the sufferer first presented himself.
לְטָהֳרָת֑וֹfor his cleansingprep לְ + N sg constr + 3ms sf · טָהֳרָה (H2893)Prepositional phrase of purposeטָהֳרָה (H2893) 'cleansing, purification', from טָהֵר; 'for his cleansing' — the purpose of the first presentation to the priest.
וְנִרְאָ֥הthen he shall show himselfweqatal (Niphal) 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb, apodosis (main instruction)→ Weqatal: apodosis instruction — the sufferer must present himself to the priest againרָאָה (H7200) Niphal 'to appear, show oneself'; weqatal apodosis placing the initiative on the sufferer to return once the mark spreads.
שֵׁנִ֖יתa second timeordinal f sg abs · שֵׁנִי (H8145)Adverbial accusative (a second time)שֵׁנִי (H8145) 'second'; feminine form used adverbially, 'a second time/again'.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413) 'to, unto'; marks the priest as the goal of the renewed presentation.
הַכֹּהֵֽןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Object of prepositionכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; to whom the sufferer must again present himself for re-examination.
8

וְרָאָה֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וְהִנֵּ֛ה פָּשְׂתָ֥ה הַמִּסְפַּ֖חַת בָּע֑וֹר וְטִמְּא֥וֹ הַכֹּהֵ֖ן צָרַ֥עַת הִֽוא

The priest shall examine him, and if the scab has spread on the skin, the priest shall declare him unclean; it is scale disease.

Confirmed spread reverses verdict to uncleanוְ
Closes the first sub-unit (vv. 2-8): what began as an ambiguous scab, once shown to spread, is reclassified outright as צָרַעַת. The section moves from provisional quarantine to a decisive verdict based purely on observed behavior over time.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְרָאָה֙shall examineweqatal (Qal) 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb, apodosis (examination)→ Weqatal: apodosis instruction — the priest's follow-up examination after the reported spreadרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, examine'; the priest's forensic re-inspection to confirm the spread.
הַכֹּהֵ֔ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְרָאָהכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; conducts the confirming examination.
וְהִנֵּ֛הand beholdconj וְ + interjection · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (marks the priest's observation)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; introduces what the priest sees on re-examination, grounding the verdict in his own observation.
פָּשְׂתָ֥הhas spreadQal perf 3fs · פָּשָׂה (H6581)Predicate verb (circumstantial clause after הִנֵּה)→ Perfective: a completed spreading — the decisive sign of uncleannessפָּשָׂה (H6581) 'to spread, extend'; the chapter's key criterion — a spreading mark is unclean.
הַמִּסְפַּ֖חַתthe scabart + N f sg abs · מִסְפַּחַת (H4556)Subject of פָּשְׂתָהמִסְפַּחַת (H4556) 'scab, eruption', related to סָפַח 'scale off'; precise sense uncertain — a provisional 'scab'.
בָּע֑וֹרon the skinprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phraseעוֹר (H5785) 'skin'; the surface across which the spread is observed.
וְטִמְּא֥וֹshall declare him uncleanweqatal (Piel) 3ms + 3ms sf · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb, apodosis (declarative performative)→ Weqatal: the priest's declarative verdict — a performative speech-act, not a medical treatmentטָמֵא (H2930) Piel 'to declare/pronounce unclean' with 3ms object suffix; constitutes the person's cultic status. Scaffold mistags this verb as a noun; re-derived as a verb.
הַכֹּהֵ֖ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְטִמְּאוֹכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; the one who pronounces the verdict of uncleanness.
צָרַ֥עַתscale diseaseN f sg abs · צָרַעַת (H6883)Predicate nominative (verdict formula)צָרַעַת (H6883); the verdict term 'it is scale disease' (see chapter text_note) — a broad forensic-cultic category, never Hansen's disease.
הִֽואit (is)pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Predicate/copular pronoun (verbless clause)הִיא (H1931), feminine agreeing with מִסְפַּחַת/צָרַעַת; copula in the verbless clause 'it is scale disease'.
9

נֶ֣גַע צָרַ֔עַת כִּ֥י תִהְיֶ֖ה בְּאָדָ֑ם וְהוּבָ֖א אֶל הַכֹּהֵֽן

When a mark of scale disease is on a person, he shall be brought to the priest.

New sub-unit heading: chronic and acute casesasyndeton
A fresh, terse casuistic heading (נֶגַע צָרַעַת כִּי תִהְיֶה) opens the second major protocol (vv. 9-17), covering cases with more advanced or long-standing symptoms that bypass the initial seven-day quarantine.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
נֶ֣גַעa mark ofN m sg constr · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject (construct head, fronted before כִּי)נֶגַע (H5061) 'mark, plague', from נָגַע 'to touch/strike'; construct before צָרַעַת, the chapter's generic umbrella term, fronted to open the new casuistic heading.
צָרַ֔עַתscale diseaseN f sg abs · צָרַעַת (H6883)Genitival complement (construct chain with נֶגַע)צָרַעַת (H6883); completes 'a mark of scale disease' (see chapter text_note) — never Hansen's disease.
כִּ֥יwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (introduces casuistic protasis)כִּי (H3588) here in its conditional/temporal sense 'when, if'; opens the second major protocol (vv. 9-17).
תִהְיֶ֖הisQal impf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential, protasis)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a hypothetical case introduced by כִּיהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; 3fs agreeing with feminine צָרַעַת, existential 'when there is [a mark]... on a person'.
בְּאָדָ֑םon a personprep בְּ + N m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Locative prepositional phraseאָדָם (H120) 'man, person'; generic term for any human being — 'on a person'.
וְהוּבָ֖אthen he shall be broughtweqatal (Hophal) 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb, apodosis (passive)→ Weqatal (passive): the consequent obligatory action — the sufferer is brought for diagnosisבּוֹא (H935) Hophal 'to be brought/led', passive of the causative; the sufferer has no agency, he is delivered to the priest (cf. v. 2).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413) 'to, unto'; marks the priest as the one to whom the sufferer is brought.
הַכֹּהֵֽןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Object of prepositionכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; the diagnostic authority to whom the sufferer is brought.
10

וְרָאָ֣ה הַכֹּהֵ֗ן וְהִנֵּ֤ה שְׂאֵת לְבָנָה֙ בָּע֔וֹר וְהִ֕יא הָפְכָ֖ה שֵׂעָ֣ר לָבָ֑ן וּמִֽחְיַ֛ת בָּשָׂ֥ר חַ֖י בַּשְׂאֵֽת

The priest shall examine him, and if there is a white swelling on the skin, and it has turned the hair white, and there is raw flesh alive in the swelling,

Diagnostic protasis: white swelling, white hair, and raw fleshוְ
מִחְיַת בָּשָׂר חַי 'quick/raw flesh' introduces the chapter's most decisive sign — exposed living tissue within the swelling — which, unlike the earlier ambiguous cases, requires no waiting period at all (v. 11).
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְרָאָ֣הshall examineweqatal (Qal) 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb, apodosis (examination)→ Weqatal: apodosis instruction — the priest's diagnostic inspectionרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, examine'; the priest's forensic examination, here of a chronic case.
הַכֹּהֵ֗ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְרָאָהכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; the diagnostic subject of the examination formula.
וְהִנֵּ֤הand beholdconj וְ + interjection · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (marks the priest's observation)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; introduces the content of the priest's inspection.
שְׂאֵתa swellingN f sg constr · שְׂאֵת (H7613)Subject (verbless clause after הִנֵּה)שְׂאֵת (H7613) 'swelling, rising', from נָשָׂא 'to lift/rise'; a provisionally-glossed technical term for a raised skin anomaly (see v. 2).
לְבָנָה֙whiteadj f sg abs · לָבָן (H3836)Attributive adjective (modifying שְׂאֵת)לָבָן (H3836) 'white'; feminine agreeing with שְׂאֵת — the diagnostic color of the swelling.
בָּע֔וֹרon the skinprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phraseעוֹר (H5785) 'skin'; locates the white swelling on the sufferer's body.
וְהִ֕יאand itconj וְ + pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject (fronted, resuming the swelling)הִיא (H1931) 3fs pronoun referring back to the swelling; fronted subject of הָפְכָה, 'and it has turned the hair white'.
הָפְכָ֖הhas turnedQal perf 3fs · הָפַךְ (H2015)Predicate verb (circumstantial clause after הִנֵּה)→ Perfective: a completed change — the swelling has already turned the hair whiteהָפַךְ (H2015) 'to turn, change'; here with שֵׂעָר as object, the swelling has 'turned' the hair white — the primary diagnostic sign.
שֵׂעָ֣רthe hairN m sg abs · שֵׂעָר (H8181)Direct object of הָפְכָהשֵׂעָר (H8181) 'hair'; object of the turning — its whitening is the chapter's primary diagnostic sign.
לָבָ֑ןwhiteadj m sg abs · לָבָן (H3836)Predicate adjective (result complement of הָפְכָה)לָבָן (H3836) 'white'; the color to which the hair has been turned — the diagnostic sign.
וּמִֽחְיַ֛תand raw flesh ofconj וְ + N f sg constr · מִחְיָה (H4241)Subject (construct head, verbless clause)מִחְיָה (H4241) 'quick/raw flesh, that which sustains life', from חָיָה 'to live'; construct with בָּשָׂר, 'raw living flesh' — exposed tissue, the decisive sign requiring no quarantine (v. 11).
בָּשָׂ֥רfleshN m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Genitival complement of מִחְיַת (construct chain)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh'; in the phrase מִחְיַת בָּשָׂר חַי 'raw living flesh', the exposed tissue.
חַ֖יlivingadj m sg abs · חַי (H2416)Attributive adjective (modifying בָּשָׂר)חַי (H2416) 'living, alive'; completing מִחְיַת בָּשָׂר חַי 'raw living/quick flesh' — the decisive diagnostic sign of active disease.
בַּשְׂאֵֽתin the swellingprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · שְׂאֵת (H7613)Locative prepositional phraseשְׂאֵת (H7613) 'swelling'; the location where the raw living flesh is exposed.
11

צָרַ֨עַת נוֹשֶׁ֤נֶת הִוא֙ בְּע֣וֹר בְּשָׂר֔וֹ וְטִמְּא֖וֹ הַכֹּהֵ֑ן לֹ֣א יַסְגִּרֶ֔נּוּ כִּ֥י טָמֵ֖א הֽוּא

It is a chronic scale disease in the skin of his body, and the priest shall declare him unclean; he shall not shut him up, for he is unclean.

Apodosis: chronic case bypasses quarantine, immediate verdictasyndeton
נוֹשֶׁנֶת 'chronic, of long standing' (from יָשַׁן 'to be old') marks this as an established condition needing no observation period — raw living flesh is unambiguous evidence, so the priest moves straight to condemnation, explicitly overriding the default quarantine procedure.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
צָרַ֨עַתscale diseaseN f sg abs · צָרַעַת (H6883)Predicate nominative (subject complement)צָרַעַת (H6883) 'scale disease' (root צרע), the chapter's technical term for the condition; here predicate over the pronoun הִוא.
נוֹשֶׁ֤נֶתchronicNiphal ptc f sg · נוֹשַׁן (H3462)Attributive participle modifying צָרַעַת→ Participle: stative description of an already-established conditionנוֹשֶׁנֶת (H3462), Niphal participle of יָשַׁן 'to be old'; a long-standing, chronic case needing no waiting period since the evidence is already unambiguous.
הִוא֙it (is)Pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject (resumptive pronoun in verbless clause)הִיא (H1931), 3fs independent pronoun, subject of the verbless clause identifying the mark as chronic scale disease.
בְּע֣וֹרin the skin ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phraseעוֹר (H5785) 'skin, hide'; construct before בְּשָׂרוֹ, 'the skin of his body'.
בְּשָׂר֔וֹhis bodyN m sg constr + 3ms suff · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Genitive complement of construct chain (עוֹר בְּשָׂרוֹ)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, body'; with 3ms suffix, completing the chain 'the skin of his body'.
וְטִמְּא֖וֹand he shall declare him uncleanconj וְ + Piel perf (weqatal) 3ms + 3ms suff · טִמֵּא (H2930)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the apodosis→ Weqatal: consequential/injunctive — the priest's required next actionטִמֵּא (H2930) Piel of טָמֵא, declarative/factitive 'pronounce unclean' — the priest's formal juridical verdict; with 3ms object suffix 'him'.
הַכֹּהֵ֑ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְטִמְּאוֹכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest', the diagnostic authority throughout the chapter.
לֹ֣אnotneg part · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), simple negative particle.
יַסְגִּרֶ֔נּוּhe shall shut him upHiphil impf 3ms + 3ms suff · הִסְגִּיר (H5462)Predicate verb (negated)→ Yiqtol/modal: prohibition — the priest is not to perform quarantineהִסְגִּיר (H5462) Hiphil of סָגַר 'to shut, confine'; here explicitly withheld — the chronic case bypasses the normal quarantine procedure.
כִּ֥יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the ground clauseכִּי (H3588) causal 'because, for', grounding the ruling in the person's actual uncleanness.
טָמֵ֖אuncleanAdj m sg abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjectiveטָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean', predicate adjective in the verbless clause 'he is unclean'.
הֽוּאhe (is)Pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of verbless clauseהוּא (H1931), 3ms independent pronoun, subject resuming the diseased person.
12

וְאִם פָּר֨וֹחַ תִּפְרַ֤ח הַצָּרַ֨עַת֙ בָּע֔וֹר וְכִסְּתָ֣ה הַצָּרַ֗עַת אֵ֚ת כָּל ע֣וֹר הַנֶּ֔גַע מֵרֹאשׁ֖וֹ וְעַד רַגְלָ֑יו לְכָל מַרְאֵ֖ה עֵינֵ֥י הַכֹּהֵֽן

But if the scale disease breaks out abundantly on the skin, so that the scale disease covers all the skin of the diseased person from his head to his feet, wherever the priest's eyes can see,

Escalation case: total-body outbreakוְאִם
The infinitive absolute פָּרוֹחַ תִּפְרַח ('breaking out, it breaks out') again intensifies extremity — the disease spreading to cover the entire visible body — setting up the chapter's most counterintuitive ruling in v. 13.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְאִםand ifconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction introducing new protasisאִם (H518) conditional 'if'; וְ marks the transition to a new case.
פָּר֨וֹחַbreaking outQal inf abs · פָּרַח (H6524)Infinitive absolute intensifying the finite verb תִּפְרַח→ Infinitive absolute: intensifies certainty/emphasis — spreads abundantlyפָּרַח (H6524) 'to sprout, break out, spread'; paired with the finite form for emphatic force, 'breaking out, it breaks out' = spreads extensively.
תִּפְרַ֤חit breaks outQal impf 3fs · פָּרַח (H6524)Predicate verb (protasis), paired with preceding inf abs→ Yiqtol: durative/iterative — an ongoing, spreading process envisioned as hypotheticalפָּרַח (H6524), see previous word; here finite imperfect 3fs agreeing with הַצָּרַעַת.
הַצָּרַ֨עַת֙the scale diseaseart + N f sg abs · צָרַעַת (H6883)Subject of תִּפְרַחצָרַעַת (H6883), see v. 11; subject of the spreading verb.
בָּע֔וֹרon the skinprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phraseעוֹר (H5785) 'skin'; the site of the outbreak.
וְכִסְּתָ֣הand coversconj וְ + Piel perf (weqatal) 3fs · כִּסָּה (H3680)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the protasis→ Weqatal: consequential/result — the spreading culminates in total coveringכִּסָּה (H3680) Piel 'to cover'; total coverage of the skin becomes the defining condition of vv. 12-13.
הַצָּרַ֗עַתthe scale diseaseart + N f sg abs · צָרַעַת (H6883)Subject of וְכִסְּתָהצָרַעַת (H6883), see v. 11; repeated subject.
אֵ֚ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite object כָּל עוֹר הַנֶּגַע.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head of construct chain (direct object)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole'; construct leading the phrase 'all the skin of the diseased person'.
ע֣וֹרthe skin ofN m sg constr · עוֹר (H5785)Construct chain (genitival), objectעוֹר (H5785) 'skin', construct before הַנֶּגַע.
הַנֶּ֔גַעthe diseased personart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Genitive complement of construct chainנֶגַע (H5061) lit. 'stroke, mark, plague'; here used metonymically for the afflicted person, 'the diseased one' (lit. 'skin of the mark').
מֵרֹאשׁ֖וֹfrom his headprep מִן + N m sg constr + 3ms suff · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Adverbial prepositional phrase (spatial extent)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; paired with רַגְלָיו to express the whole body, head to feet.
וְעַדand toconj וְ + prep · עַד (H5704)Coordinating preposition continuing the spatial merismעַד (H5704) 'as far as, until'; forms with מֵרֹאשׁוֹ...וְעַד רַגְלָיו a merism for the entire body.
רַגְלָ֑יוhis feetN f dual constr + 3ms suff · רֶגֶל (H7272)Object of preposition עַדרֶגֶל (H7272) 'foot'; dual with suffix, 'his (two) feet', completing the head-to-foot merism.
לְכָלwhereverprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase introducing scope clauseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; with לְ, 'according to every/wherever', introducing the scope of visibility.
מַרְאֵ֖הsight ofN m sg constr · מַרְאֶה (H4758)Construct chain (genitival)מַרְאֶה (H4758) 'sight, appearance'; construct before עֵינֵי, 'the sight of the eyes'.
עֵינֵ֥יthe eyes ofN c dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Construct chain (genitival)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual construct before הַכֹּהֵן, 'the eyes of the priest' — wherever the priest's sight reaches.
הַכֹּהֵֽןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Genitive complement of construct chainכֹּהֵן (H3548), see v. 11.
13

וְרָאָ֣ה הַכֹּהֵ֗ן וְהִנֵּ֨ה כִסְּתָ֤ה הַצָּרַ֨עַת֙ אֶת כָּל בְּשָׂר֔וֹ וְטִהַ֖ר אֶת הַנָּ֑גַע כֻּלּ֛וֹ הָפַ֥ךְ לָבָ֖ן טָה֥וֹר הֽוּא

then the priest shall look, and if the scale disease has covered all his body, he shall declare the diseased person clean; since it has all turned white, he is clean.

Apodosis: total whitening reverses to clean, the counterintuitive climaxוְ
The chapter's most theologically loaded ruling: total, uniform whiteness is CLEAN, not unclean. The logic seems to be that the diagnostic criterion was always contrast — raw flesh breaking through white skin — and once nothing but uniform surface remains, the sign of active, spreading corruption (exposed living flesh) is by definition absent.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְרָאָ֣הand he shall lookconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb, weqatal opening the apodosis→ Weqatal: consequential/injunctive — required priestly actionרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, look, examine'; the priest's diagnostic act of visual inspection, a central verb of the whole chapter.
הַכֹּהֵ֗ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְרָאָהכֹּהֵן (H3548), see v. 11.
וְהִנֵּ֨הand beholdconj וְ + interj · הִנֵּה (H2009)Attention-getting particle introducing the priest's observationהִנֵּה (H2009) presentative particle 'behold, look'; vividly marks the content of the priest's inspection as surprising or noteworthy.
כִסְּתָ֤הhas coveredPiel perf 3fs · כִּסָּה (H3680)Predicate verb of the presentative clause→ Perfective: a completed state, coverage already accomplishedכִּסָּה (H3680), see v. 12; here perfect, describing the already-completed total covering.
הַצָּרַ֨עַת֙the scale diseaseart + N f sg abs · צָרַעַת (H6883)Subject of כִסְּתָהצָרַעַת (H6883), see v. 11; subject of the completed-covering verb.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking כָּל בְּשָׂרוֹ as the definite direct object of כִסְּתָה; untranslated in English.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head (direct object of כִסְּתָה)כֹּל (H3605), construct before בְּשָׂרוֹ, 'all his flesh/body'.
בְּשָׂר֔וֹhis bodyN m sg constr + 3ms suff · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Genitive complement of construct chain (object of כִסְּתָה)בָּשָׂר (H1320), see v. 11.
וְטִהַ֖רand he shall declare cleanconj וְ + Piel perf (weqatal) 3ms · טִהֵר (H2891)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing apodosis→ Weqatal: consequential/injunctive — the priest's required declarative actטִהֵר (H2891) Piel of טָהֵר, declarative 'pronounce clean'; the chapter's counterintuitive climax — total whiteness is ruled clean.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marks הַנֶּגַע as definite direct object of וְטִהַר.
הַנָּ֑גַעthe diseased personart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Direct object of וְטִהַרנֶגַע (H5061), see v. 12; here direct object, 'the diseased person'.
כֻּלּ֛וֹall of itN m sg constr + 3ms suff · כֹּל (H3605)Subject of הָפַךְ (totality emphasized)כֹּל (H3605) with 3ms suffix, 'the whole of it/him', emphasizing total transformation to white.
הָפַ֥ךְhas turnedQal perf 3ms · הָפַךְ (H2015)Predicate verb (asyndetic causal clause)→ Perfective: completed change of state, grounding the clean verdictהָפַךְ (H2015) 'to turn, change, overturn'; here of color change to white, a completed transformation.
לָבָ֖ןwhiteAdj m sg abs · לָבָן (H3836)Predicate adjective/complement of הָפַךְלָבָן (H3836) 'white'; the diagnostic color of full, uniform depigmentation ruled clean.
טָה֥וֹרcleanAdj m sg abs · טָהוֹר (H2889)Predicate adjectiveטָהוֹר (H2889) 'clean, pure'; predicate of the closing verbless clause.
הֽוּאhe (is)Pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of verbless clauseהוּא (H1931), 3ms independent pronoun, subject.
14

וּבְי֨וֹם הֵרָא֥וֹת בּ֛וֹ בָּשָׂ֥ר חַ֖י יִטְמָֽא

But whenever raw flesh appears on him, he shall be unclean.

Qualification: reappearance of raw flesh reverses the clean verdictוּ
A terse conditional qualifies v. 13: the clean verdict for total whiteness holds only so long as no raw flesh shows through; the instant living tissue reappears, uncleanness resumes — confirming that exposed raw flesh, not surface color per se, is the chapter's true marker of the disease.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וּבְי֨וֹםand in the dayconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase introducing the protasisיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; construct with the infinitive הֵרָאוֹת, idiomatic 'whenever/on the day that...appears'.
הֵרָא֥וֹתappearsNiphal inf constr · רָאָה (H7200)Verbal complement of construct chain (temporal clause)→ Infinitive: durative/potential — whenever it becomes visibleרָאָה (H7200) Niphal 'to be seen, appear'; the passive/reflexive stem denotes the raw flesh becoming visible.
בּ֛וֹon himprep בְּ + 3ms suffLocative prepositional phrase (place of appearance)בְּ preposition with 3ms suffix, 'on/in him', resuming the diseased person.
בָּשָׂ֥רfleshN m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Subject of הֵרָאוֹתבָּשָׂר (H1320), see v. 11; here indefinite 'raw flesh' as subject of the appearing-verb.
חַ֖יlivingadj m sg abs · חַי (H2416)Attributive adjective (modifying בָּשָׂר)חַי (H2416) 'living, alive'; 'raw living flesh' — the reappearance of exposed tissue that reverses the clean verdict of v. 13.
יִטְמָֽאhe shall be uncleanQal impf 3ms · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb, apodosis→ Yiqtol: modal — the resulting cultic status once raw flesh reappearsטָמֵא (H2930) Qal 'to be/become unclean' (vs. Piel 'declare unclean'); here the person's own state — the raw flesh itself renders him unclean, no priestly declaration named.
15

וְרָאָ֧ה הַכֹּהֵ֛ן אֶת הַבָּשָׂ֥ר הַחַ֖י וְטִמְּא֑וֹ הַבָּשָׂ֥ר הַחַ֛י טָמֵ֥א ה֖וּא צָרַ֥עַת הֽוּא

And the priest shall examine the raw flesh and declare him unclean; the raw flesh is unclean — it is scale disease.

Confirms the reversal of v. 14 with a formal verdictוְ
The double asseveration (טָמֵא הוּא ... צָרַעַת הוּא) formally seals the verdict, echoing the emphatic style used elsewhere in the chapter to close a diagnostic sub-unit.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְרָאָ֧הshall examineweqatal (Qal) 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb, apodosis (examination)→ Weqatal: apodosis instruction — the priest's diagnostic inspection of the exposed fleshרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, examine'; the priest's forensic examination — here of the raw living flesh that has reappeared.
הַכֹּהֵ֛ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְרָאָהכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; the diagnostic subject of the examination formula.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַבָּשָׂר as the definite direct object of רָאָה; the scaffold mistags the object-marker as a noun, re-derived as x.
הַבָּשָׂ֥רthe fleshart + N m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Direct object of רָאָהבָּשָׂר (H1320), see v. 11; here the exposed raw tissue (with הַחַי) that renders the case decisive.
הַחַ֖יlivingart + adj m sg abs · חַי (H2416)Attributive adjective (modifying בָּשָׂר)חַי (H2416) 'living, alive'; הַבָּשָׂר הַחַי 'the raw/living flesh' — the reappeared exposed tissue.
וְטִמְּא֑וֹand he shall declare him uncleanconj וְ + weqatal (Piel) 3ms + 3ms suff · טִמֵּא (H2930)Predicate verb, apodosis (declarative performative)→ Weqatal: the priest's declarative unclean verdict — a performative speech-act, forensic-cultic not medicalטִמֵּא (H2930) Piel of טָמֵא, declarative 'pronounce unclean'; with 3ms object suffix 'him' — the scaffold mistags this finite verb as a noun, re-derived as a verb per morphology.
הַבָּשָׂ֥רthe fleshart + N m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Subject (verbless clause)בָּשָׂר (H1320), see v. 11; here subject of the verdict-clause 'the raw flesh is unclean'.
הַחַ֛יlivingart + adj m sg abs · חַי (H2416)Attributive adjective (modifying בָּשָׂר)חַי (H2416) 'living'; completing הַבָּשָׂר הַחַי 'the raw living flesh'.
טָמֵ֥אuncleanadj m sg abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjectiveטָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean', predicate adjective in the verbless clause 'it is unclean'.
ה֖וּאit (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject/copular pronoun (verbless clause)הוּא (H1931) 'he, it'; copula in the verbless clause 'the raw flesh — it is unclean'.
צָרַ֥עַתscale diseaseN f sg abs · צָרַעַת (H6883)Predicate nominative (verdict formula)צָרַעַת (H6883), the formal verdict term; here 'it is scale disease', exposed raw flesh being an unambiguous sign requiring no quarantine.
הֽוּאit (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject/copular pronoun (verbless clause)הוּא (H1931), copula in the closing verdict-clause 'scale disease it is'.
16

א֣וֹ כִ֥י יָשׁ֛וּב הַבָּשָׂ֥ר הַחַ֖י וְנֶהְפַּ֣ךְ לְלָבָ֑ן וּבָ֖א אֶל הַכֹּהֵֽן

But if the raw flesh turns again and is changed to white, he shall come to the priest.

Further reversal: healing of the raw flesh triggers re-examinationאוֹ
יָשׁוּב 'turns back, reverts' signals the possibility of the condition RESOLVING — the raw flesh itself can heal over and whiten, requiring yet another priestly review, illustrating that the diagnosis is never static but revisited as the skin's appearance changes.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction (alternative case)אוֹ (H176) 'or'; introduces the counter-scenario in which the raw flesh reverts, reversing the verdict of v. 15.
כִ֥יwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Temporal/conditional conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'when, if'; casuistic, opening the sub-case where the flesh turns back to white.
יָשׁ֛וּבturns backQal impf 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (protasis)→ Yiqtol: modal/conditional — the raw flesh reverts to its former (white) stateשׁוּב (H7725) 'to turn back, return'; here the raw flesh 'returns' — reverts, changing back so that the sign of active disease disappears.
הַבָּשָׂ֥רthe fleshart + N m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Subject of יָשׁוּבבָּשָׂר (H1320), see v. 11; the raw flesh that now reverts.
הַחַ֖יlivingart + adj m sg abs · חַי (H2416)Attributive adjective (modifying בָּשָׂר)חַי (H2416) 'living'; הַבָּשָׂר הַחַי 'the raw living flesh', subject of the reverting.
וְנֶהְפַּ֣ךְand is turnedweqatal (Niphal) 3ms · הָפַךְ (H2015)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing protasis)→ Weqatal: consequential — the flesh is changed (Niphal passive) to whiteהָפַךְ (H2015) 'to turn, change'; Niphal passive 'is turned/changed' — the flesh is transformed to white, the sign of healing.
לְלָבָ֑ןto whiteprep לְ + adj m sg abs · לָבָן (H3836)Prepositional phrase (goal/result of the change)לָבָן (H3836) 'white'; with לְ marking the resulting color, 'changed to white'.
וּבָ֖אthen he shall comeweqatal (Qal) 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb, apodosis→ Weqatal: apodosis — the person presents himself to the priestבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the afflicted person comes to the priest for re-examination.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal/addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the priest as the one to whom the person comes.
הַכֹּהֵֽןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Object of preposition אֶלכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; the destination of the person's coming.
17

וְרָאָ֨הוּ֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וְהִנֵּ֛ה נֶהְפַּ֥ךְ הַנֶּ֖גַע לְלָבָ֑ן וְטִהַ֧ר הַכֹּהֵ֛ן אֶת הַנֶּ֖גַע טָה֥וֹר הֽוּא

The priest shall examine him, and if the mark has turned white, the priest shall declare the diseased person clean; he is clean.

Closes the chronic-case unit with a final clean verdictוְ
This closes the second major sub-unit (vv. 9-17): what began with unambiguous raw flesh (immediate uncleanness, no waiting) can still end in a clean verdict once whiteness fully returns — the chapter's diagnostic logic remains consistent even across its most extreme cases.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְרָאָ֨הוּ֙and he shall examine himconj וְ + weqatal (Qal) 3ms + 3ms suff · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb, apodosis (examination)→ Weqatal: the priest's re-examination of the now-whitened fleshרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, examine'; with 3ms object suffix 'him' — the scaffold mistags this finite verb as a noun, re-derived as a verb per morphology.
הַכֹּהֵ֔ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְרָאָהוּכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; conducts the examination.
וְהִנֵּ֛הand beholdconj וְ + interj · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (marks the priest's observation)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; signals the priest's direct visual assessment; the scaffold mistags as a noun, re-derived as x.
נֶהְפַּ֥ךְhas turnedNiphal perf 3ms · הָפַךְ (H2015)Predicate verb (circumstantial clause after הִנֵּה)→ Perfective (Niphal passive): the mark has been changed to white — a completed transformationהָפַךְ (H2015) 'to turn, change'; Niphal 'has been turned/changed' — the mark has become white, the sign of healing.
הַנֶּ֖גַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject of נֶהְפַּךְנֶגַע (H5061) 'mark'; here observed to have turned white.
לְלָבָ֑ןto whiteprep לְ + adj m sg abs · לָבָן (H3836)Prepositional phrase (goal/result of the change)לָבָן (H3836) 'white'; with לְ marking the resulting color of the mark.
וְטִהַ֧רthen he shall declare cleanweqatal (Piel) 3ms · טִהֵר (H2891)Predicate verb, apodosis (declarative performative)→ Weqatal: the priest's declarative clean verdict — a performative speech-act, forensic-cultic not medicalטִהֵר (H2891) Piel of טָהֵר, declarative 'pronounce clean'; the priest constitutes cultic status, he does not heal.
הַכֹּהֵ֛ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְטִהַרכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; pronounces the clean verdict.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַנֶּגַע as the definite direct object of וְטִהַר; the scaffold mistags the object-marker as a noun, re-derived as x.
הַנֶּ֖גַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Direct object of וְטִהַרנֶגַע (H5061) 'mark'; object of the clean-declaration, by metonymy the person bearing it.
טָה֥וֹרcleanadj m sg abs · טָהוֹר (H2889)Predicate adjectiveטָהוֹר (H2889) 'clean, pure'; predicate of the closing verbless clause.
הֽוּאhe (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject/copular pronoun (verbless clause)הוּא (H1931), 3ms independent pronoun, subject of the verbless clause 'he is clean'.
18

וּבָשָׂ֕ר כִּֽי יִהְיֶ֥ה בֽוֹ בְעֹר֖וֹ שְׁחִ֑ין וְנִרְפָּֽא

When there is in the skin of one's body a boil, and it is healed,

New sub-unit: the boil protocol opensוּ
A fresh casuistic heading opens the third major protocol (vv. 18-23), dealing with scale disease arising within a healed boil-scar — a case distinguished from ordinary skin marks by its specific prior history.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וּבָשָׂ֕רand (when) one's bodyconj וְ + N m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Casus pendens / topic, resumed by בּוֹ (fronted subject of new protocol)בָּשָׂר (H1320), see v. 11; here indefinite, opening a fresh case ('flesh/a person's body...').
כִּֽיwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional/temporal conjunction introducing the casuistic protasisכִּי (H3588), casuistic 'when, if', the standard opening of a new legal case.
יִהְיֶ֥הthere isQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential)→ Yiqtol: modal/generic — describes a recurring possible circumstanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; existential use, 'there is/comes to be' a boil.
בֽוֹon himprep בְּ + 3ms suffLocative prepositional phrase (resuming וּבָשָׂר)בְּ preposition with 3ms suffix, resuming the person named by the fronted וּבָשָׂר.
בְעֹר֖וֹon his skinprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suff · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phraseעוֹר (H5785) 'skin'; with 3ms suffix, 'on his skin' — the site where the boil arose, restating בּוֹ more precisely.
שְׁחִ֑יןa boilN m sg abs · שְׁחִין (H7822)Subject of יִהְיֶהשְׁחִין (H7822) 'boil, inflamed swelling/sore'; a distinct prior skin condition that becomes the setting for this sub-protocol (cf. Job 2:7; Exod 9:9).
וְנִרְפָּֽאand it is healedconj וְ + Niphal perf (weqatal) 3ms · רָפָא (H7495)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing protasis→ Weqatal (Niphal): passive resultative — the boil reaches a healed stateרָפָא (H7495) Niphal 'to be healed'; the boil's prior resolution sets the stage for a new mark to appear at the scar site.
19

וְהָיָ֞ה בִּמְק֤וֹם הַשְּׁחִין֙ שְׂאֵ֣ת לְבָנָ֔ה א֥וֹ בַהֶ֖רֶת לְבָנָ֣ה אֲדַמְדָּ֑מֶת וְנִרְאָ֖ה אֶל הַכֹּהֵֽן

and in the place of the boil there is a white swelling or a reddish-white bright spot, it shall be shown to the priest.

Protasis continued: a new mark appears at the site of the old boilוְ
אֲדַמְדָּמֶת 'reddish' (a reduplicated form of אָדֹם) introduces color as a diagnostic nuance not used in the earlier sections — the boil-scar protocol distinguishes reddish-white from plain white in ways the swelling/scab/bright-spot protocol of vv. 2-8 did not.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְהָיָ֞הand there isweqatal (Qal) 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb, apodosis (existential)→ Weqatal: sequential — there comes to be, at the healed site, a new markהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; existential, 'there is/comes to be' a swelling or spot in the place of the healed boil.
בִּמְק֤וֹםin the place ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · מָקוֹם (H4725)Locative prepositional phrase (construct)מָקוֹם (H4725) 'place, spot'; construct, 'in the place/site of the boil' — the mark arises where the boil had healed.
הַשְּׁחִין֙the boilart + N m sg abs · שְׁחִין (H7822)Genitival complement (construct chain)שְׁחִין (H7822) 'boil, inflamed sore'; here 'the place of the boil', the healed scar now under scrutiny.
שְׂאֵ֣תa swellingN f sg abs · שְׂאֵת (H7613)Subject of וְהָיָהשְׂאֵת (H7613) 'swelling, rising', from נָשָׂא 'to lift/rise'; a provisionally-glossed technical term for a raised skin anomaly (see v. 2).
לְבָנָ֔הwhiteadj f sg abs · לָבָן (H3836)Attributive adjective (modifying שְׂאֵת)לָבָן (H3836) 'white'; feminine agreeing with שְׂאֵת — the diagnostic color of the swelling.
א֥וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction (alternative)אוֹ (H176) 'or'; introduces the alternative form the new mark may take.
בַהֶ֖רֶתa bright spotN f sg abs · בַּהֶרֶת (H934)Subject (alternative, verbless clause)בַּהֶרֶת (H934) 'bright/white spot', a provisionally-glossed technical term (see v. 2); the second possible form of the mark.
לְבָנָ֣הwhiteadj f sg abs · לָבָן (H3836)Attributive adjective (modifying בַּהֶרֶת)לָבָן (H3836) 'white'; feminine agreeing with בַּהֶרֶת.
אֲדַמְדָּ֑מֶתreddishadj f sg abs · אֲדַמְדָּם (H125)Attributive adjective (color refinement)אֲדַמְדָּם / אֲדַמְדֶּמֶת (H125) 'reddish', reduplicated intensive from אָדֹם 'red'; with לְבָנָה, a reddish-white coloration — a diagnostic color refinement in the boil section.
וְנִרְאָ֖הand it is shownweqatal (Niphal) 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb, apodosis→ Weqatal: the mark is shown (Niphal passive) — presented to the priest for examinationרָאָה (H7200) Niphal 'to be seen, be shown'; the mark is brought into the priest's view.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the priest as the one to whom the mark is shown.
הַכֹּהֵֽןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Object of preposition אֶלכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; the one before whom the mark is presented.
20

וְרָאָ֣ה הַכֹּהֵ֗ן וְהִנֵּ֤ה מַרְאֶ֨הָ֙ שָׁפָ֣ל מִן הָע֔וֹר וּשְׂעָרָ֖הּ הָפַ֣ךְ לָבָ֑ן וְטִמְּא֧וֹ הַכֹּהֵ֛ן נֶֽגַע צָרַ֥עַת הִ֖וא בַּשְּׁחִ֥ין פָּרָֽחָה

The priest shall examine it, and if it appears lower than the skin, and its hair has turned white, the priest shall declare him unclean; it is a mark of scale disease that has broken out in the boil.

Same diagnostic signs applied to the boil-site caseוְ
The same two criteria from v. 3 (depth below the skin, whitened hair) are redeployed here, showing the underlying diagnostic grammar is consistent across different presenting histories (fresh skin vs. healed boil).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְרָאָ֣הand shall examineweqatal (Qal) 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb, apodosis (examination)→ Weqatal: apodosis — the priest's diagnostic inspection of the markרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, examine'; the priest's forensic examination of the mark at the healed boil.
הַכֹּהֵ֗ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְרָאָהכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; the diagnostic subject.
וְהִנֵּ֤הand beholdconj וְ + interj · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (marks the priest's observation)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; signals the priest's direct visual assessment; the scaffold mistags as a noun, re-derived as x.
מַרְאֶ֨הָ֙its appearanceN m sg constr + 3fs suff · מַרְאֶה (H4758)Subject of verbless clauseמַרְאֶה (H4758) 'appearance, sight', from רָאָה; with 3fs suffix referring to the swelling/spot, 'its appearance' — the depth criterion.
שָׁפָ֣לloweradj m sg abs · שָׁפָל (H8217)Predicate adjectiveשָׁפָל (H8217) 'low, depressed'; here 'lower/deeper than the skin' — the sunken-appearance sign, functionally equivalent to עָמֹק of vv. 3-4.
מִןthanprep · מִן (H4480)Comparative prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from'; comparative here, 'lower than the skin'.
הָע֔וֹרthe skinart + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Object of preposition מִןעוֹר (H5785) 'skin'; the surrounding surface against which the mark's depth is measured.
וּשְׂעָרָ֖הּand its hairconj וְ + N m sg constr + 3fs suff · שֵׂעָר (H8181)Subject (fronted before הָפַךְ)שֵׂעָר (H8181) 'hair'; with 3fs suffix referring to the mark, 'its hair' — the color-change of which is the primary diagnostic sign.
הָפַ֣ךְhas turnedQal perf 3ms · הָפַךְ (H2015)Predicate verb (circumstantial clause)→ Perfective: a completed change of state — the hair has already turned whiteהָפַךְ (H2015) 'to turn, change'; the diagnostic whitening of the hair, here completed.
לָבָ֑ןwhiteadj m sg abs · לָבָן (H3836)Predicate adjective (complement of הָפַךְ)לָבָן (H3836) 'white'; the chapter's key diagnostic color to which the hair has turned.
וְטִמְּא֧וֹthen he shall declare him uncleanconj וְ + weqatal (Piel) 3ms + 3ms suff · טִמֵּא (H2930)Predicate verb, apodosis (declarative performative)→ Weqatal: the priest's declarative unclean verdict — a performative speech-act, forensic-cultic not medicalטִמֵּא (H2930) Piel of טָמֵא, declarative 'pronounce unclean'; with 3ms object suffix 'him' — the scaffold mistags this finite verb as a noun, re-derived as a verb per morphology.
הַכֹּהֵ֛ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְטִמְּאוֹכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; pronounces the unclean verdict.
נֶֽגַעa mark ofN m sg constr · נֶגַע (H5061)Predicate nominative (construct, verdict formula)נֶגַע (H5061) 'mark'; construct in the verdict-formula 'it is a mark of צָרַעַת'.
צָרַ֥עַתscale diseaseN f sg abs · צָרַעַת (H6883)Genitival complement (construct chain with נֶגַע)צָרַעַת (H6883), the formal verdict term completing 'a mark of scale disease'.
הִ֖ואit (is)pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject/copular pronoun (verbless clause)הִוא (H1931), feminine (kethiv הִוא) agreeing with the mark; copula in the verbless verdict-clause 'it is a mark of scale disease'.
בַּשְּׁחִ֥יןin the boilprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · שְׁחִין (H7822)Locative prepositional phraseשְׁחִין (H7822) 'boil'; 'in the boil' — the mark has broken out at the site of the former boil.
פָּרָֽחָהit has broken outQal perf 3fs · פָּרַח (H6524)Predicate verb (causal/circumstantial clause)→ Perfective: a completed event — the mark has broken out (spread) in the boil, grounding the unclean verdictפָּרַח (H6524) 'to sprout, break out, spread'; 3fs agreeing with the feminine mark, 'it has broken out in the boil'.
21

וְאִ֣ם יִרְאֶ֣נָּה הַכֹּהֵ֗ן וְהִנֵּ֤ה אֵֽין בָּהּ֙ שֵׂעָ֣ר לָבָ֔ן וּשְׁפָלָ֥ה אֵינֶ֛נָּה מִן הָע֖וֹר וְהִ֣יא כֵהָ֑ה וְהִסְגִּיר֥וֹ הַכֹּהֵ֖ן שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים

But if the priest examines it and there is no white hair in it, and it is not lower than the skin, and it is faded, the priest shall shut him up seven days.

Ambiguous case: absence of both signs triggers quarantine, as in vv. 4-5וְאִם
Mirrors the earlier ambiguous-case quarantine (vv. 4-5) almost verbatim, confirming this sub-unit follows the same procedural template as the opening protocol, adapted to the boil's specific context.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְאִ֣םand ifconj וְ + conditional particle · אִם (H518)Conjunction introducing conditional protasisאִם (H518) 'if', the standard conditional particle opening each new diagnostic case in this chapter.
יִרְאֶ֣נָּהhe examines itQal impf 3ms + 3fs suffix · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb of the conditional protasis→ Yiqtol: modal/conditional — a hypothetical future inspectionרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, examine'; the priest's technical visual diagnosis, the chapter's recurring verb of inspection.
הַכֹּהֵ֗ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of יִרְאֶנָּהכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest' (fixed rendering); the sole diagnostic authority throughout ch. 13.
וְהִנֵּ֤הand beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle introducing the observed factהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, lo'; vivifies the priest's on-the-spot observation.
אֵֽיןthere is nonegative particle of existence · אַיִן (H369)Negative existential predicateאַיִן (H369) particle negating existence; denies the presence of white hair in the mark.
בָּהּ֙in itprep בְּ + 3fs suffixLocative prepositional phrase
שֵׂעָ֣רhairN m sg abs · שֵׂעָר (H8181)Subject (postponed after אֵין)שֵׂעָר (H8181) 'hair' (fixed vocab); the hair-color sign is the chapter's primary diagnostic marker alongside depth.
לָבָ֔ןwhiteAdj m sg abs · לָבָן (H3836)Attributive adjective modifying שֵׂעָרלָבָן (H3836) 'white' (fixed vocab); whitened hair signals disease-affected follicles.
וּשְׁפָלָ֥הand lowconj וְ + Adj f sg abs · שָׁפָל (H8217)Fronted predicate adjective, negated by the following אֵינֶנָּהשָׁפָל (H8217) 'low, sunken'; fronted for emphasis, then negated — 'it is not lower than the skin.'
אֵינֶ֛נָּהit is notnegative particle · אַיִן (H369) + 3fs suffixNegated existential predicate (negates שְׁפָלָה)אַיִן (H369) with 3fs suffix, 'she/it is not'; negates the preceding predicate adjective.
מִןthanprep · מִן (H4480)Comparative prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from'; comparative use, 'lower than the skin.'
הָע֖וֹרthe skinart + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Object of comparative מִןעוֹר (H5785) 'skin' (fixed vocab); the reference surface against which depth is judged.
וְהִ֣יאand itconj וְ + indep pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject pronoun (resumptive, referring to the mark)הִיא (H1931) 3fs pronoun, resuming the (feminine) mark as subject of כֵהָה.
כֵהָ֑הfadedAdj f sg abs · כֵּהָה (H3544)Predicate adjectiveכֵּהָה (H3544) 'dim, faded' (fixed vocab); a receding, non-intensifying color counts against active disease.
וְהִסְגִּיר֥וֹand he shall shut him upconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3ms + 3ms suffix · הִסְגִּיר (H5462)Predicate verb of the apodosis (main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential — the mandated action following the conditional diagnosisסָגַר (H5462) Hiphil 'to shut up, quarantine' (fixed vocab); the provisional isolation pending further observation.
הַכֹּהֵ֖ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְהִסְגִּירוֹ
שִׁבְעַ֥תsevennumeral m sg constr · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Construct numeral governing יָמִים (adverbial accusative of duration)שֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'; the standard priestly quarantine period recurring across the chapter's protocols.
יָמִֽיםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Absolute complement of שִׁבְעַת (adverbial accusative of duration)יוֹם (H3117) 'day', pl. 'days'.
22

וְאִם פָּשֹׂ֥ה תִפְשֶׂ֖ה בָּע֑וֹר וְטִמֵּ֧א הַכֹּהֵ֛ן אֹת֖וֹ נֶ֥גַע הִֽוא

And if it spreads in the skin, the priest shall declare him unclean; it is a mark of disease.

Spread after quarantine yields unclean verdictוְאִם
As with the earlier scab case (v. 8), observed spread during the waiting period is decisive — here rendered simply נֶגַע הִוא without repeating the fuller צָרַעַת label, since the context (arising from a boil) is already established.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְאִםand ifconj וְ + conditional particle · אִם (H518)Conjunction introducing new conditional clauseאִם (H518) 'if'; opens the spread-scenario apodosis of the boil protocol.
פָּשֹׂ֥הspreadingQal inf abs · פָּשָׂה (H6581)Infinitive absolute reinforcing the following finite verb (emphatic)→ Infinitive absolute: intensifies certainty — 'indeed spreads'פָּשָׂה (H6581) 'to spread' (fixed vocab); paired with the finite תִפְשֶׂה for emphasis, a recurring idiom in the chapter's spread-clauses.
תִפְשֶׂ֖הit spreadsQal impf 3fs · פָּשָׂה (H6581)Predicate verb of the conditional protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional/durative — an ongoing or potential spreadingפָּשָׂה (H6581) 'to spread' (fixed vocab); the decisive sign of active disease.
בָּע֑וֹרin the skinprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phraseעוֹר (H5785) 'skin' (fixed vocab); the site of observed spread.
וְטִמֵּ֧אand he shall declare uncleanconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3ms · טִמֵּא (H2930)Predicate verb of the apodosis→ Weqatal: consequential — the mandated priestly verdictטָמֵא (H2930) Piel 'to declare unclean, pronounce unclean' (fixed vocab); the priest's formal verdict, contrasted with טִהֵר 'declare clean.'
הַכֹּהֵ֛ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְטִמֵּא
אֹת֖וֹhimobj marker · אֵת (H853) + 3ms suffixDirect object of וְטִמֵּאאֵת (H853) nota accusativi with 3ms suffix, marking the afflicted man as definite direct object.
נֶ֥גַעa markN m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Predicate nominativeנֶגַע (H5061) 'mark, affliction' (fixed vocab); here used alone (without צָרַעַת) since the disease-context is already established.
הִֽואit isindep pron 3fs (archaic הִוא for הִיא) · הוּא (H1931)Subject pronoun of the verbless predicate clauseהוּא/הִיא (H1931); the archaic spelling הִוא for the 3fs pronoun is common in the Torah, here forming a verbless 'it is X' identification clause.
23

וְאִם תַּחְתֶּ֜יהָ תַּעֲמֹ֤ד הַבַּהֶ֨רֶת֙ לֹ֣א פָשָׂ֔תָה צָרֶ֥בֶת הַשְּׁחִ֖ין הִ֑וא וְטִהֲר֖וֹ הַכֹּהֵֽן

But if the bright spot stays in its place and does not spread, it is the scar of the boil; the priest shall declare him clean.

No spread yields clean verdict, closing the boil sub-unitוְאִם
צָרֶבֶת 'scar' (root צרב, 'to scorch/scar') names the residual mark as ordinary scar tissue, not disease — closing vv. 18-23 with the same logic as vv. 5-6: stability over time is itself diagnostic of non-disease.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְאִםbut ifconj וְ + conditional particle · אִם (H518)Conjunction introducing the counter-case (no-spread) clauseאִם (H518) 'if'; introduces the contrasting stable-mark scenario.
תַּחְתֶּ֜יהָin its placeprep תַּחַת (H8478) + 3fs suffixFronted locative prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, in place of'; idiomatic 'in its place' — the bright spot remains stationary rather than spreading.
תַּעֲמֹ֤דstays / remainsQal impf 3fs · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb of the conditional protasis→ Yiqtol: durative/stative — continued unchanged presenceעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand, remain, stay'; here of the mark's static persistence, the sign of non-disease.
הַבַּהֶ֨רֶת֙the bright spotart + N f sg abs · בֹּהֶרֶת (H934)Subject of תַּעֲמֹדבֹּהֶרֶת (H934) 'bright/white spot', from a root meaning 'to shine'; the chapter's technical term for a light discoloration under diagnosis.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates פָשָׂתָהלֹא (H3808) standard verbal negative.
פָשָׂ֔תָהit has spreadQal perf 3fs · פָּשָׂה (H6581)Predicate verb, negated by לֹא→ Perfective: a completed (here negated) act — it has not spreadפָּשָׂה (H6581) 'to spread' (fixed vocab); negated perfect confirms the mark's stability over the observation period.
צָרֶ֥בֶתthe scar ofN f sg constr · צָרֶבֶת (H6867)Predicate nominative, head of a construct chain with הַשְּׁחִיןצָרֶבֶת (H6867) 'scar' (fixed vocab), from צרב 'to scorch, burn'; residual scar tissue rather than active disease.
הַשְּׁחִ֖יןof the boilart + N m sg abs · שְׁחִין (H7822)Genitive of the construct chain צָרֶבֶת הַשְּׁחִיןשְׁחִין (H7822) 'boil, inflammation' (fixed vocab); the underlying skin ailment that gave rise to the bright spot under examination.
הִ֑ואit isindep pron 3fs · הוּא (H1931)Subject pronoun completing the verbless identification clauseהוּא/הִיא (H1931) 3fs pronoun (archaic spelling הִוא).
וְטִהֲר֖וֹand he shall declare him cleanconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3ms + 3ms suffix · טִהֵר (H2891)Predicate verb of the apodosis→ Weqatal: consequential — the mandated clean verdictטָהֵר (H2891) Piel 'to declare/pronounce clean' (fixed vocab); the counterpart verdict to טִמֵּא, closing the boil sub-unit.
הַכֹּהֵֽןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְטִהֲרוֹ
24

א֣וֹ בָשָׂ֔ר כִּֽי יִהְיֶ֥ה בְעֹר֖וֹ מִכְוַת אֵ֑שׁ וְֽהָיְתָ֞ה מִֽחְיַ֣ת הַמִּכְוָ֗ה בַּהֶ֛רֶת לְבָנָ֥ה אֲדַמְדֶּ֖מֶת א֥וֹ לְבָנָֽה

Or when the body has a burn from fire on its skin, and the raw spot from the burn becomes a bright spot, reddish-white or white,

New sub-unit: the burn protocol opensאוֹ
A fourth casuistic protocol (vv. 24-28) parallels the boil protocol closely, but for the different etiology of a fire-burn — the chapter's insistence on tracking the mark's history (how it arose) alongside its current appearance.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction opening a new alternative caseאוֹ (H176) 'or'; introduces the burn scenario as a fourth alternative etiology alongside skin, boil, and (later) scall.
בָשָׂ֔רa bodyN m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Subject of יִהְיֶהבָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, body' (fixed vocab); here the person's skin/flesh as the site where a burn may occur.
כִּֽיwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Temporal/conditional conjunction introducing the caseכִּי (H3588) here temporal-conditional, 'when, if'; introduces the circumstance.
יִהְיֶ֥הthere isQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential 'there is/comes to be')→ Yiqtol: durative/potential — a circumstance that may ariseהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; existential use, 'when a burn comes to be on the skin.'
בְעֹר֖וֹon its skinprep בְּ + N m sg constr · עוֹר (H5785) + 3ms suffixLocative prepositional phraseעוֹר (H5785) 'skin' (fixed vocab) with 3ms suffix, referring to the body's skin.
מִכְוַתa burn ofN f sg constr · מִכְוָה (H4348)Subject of יִהְיֶה, construct with אֵשׁמִכְוָה (H4348) 'burn' (fixed vocab), from כָּוָה 'to scorch'; head of the construct phrase 'burn of fire.'
אֵ֑שׁfireN c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Genitive of the construct chain מִכְוַת אֵשׁאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; specifies the burn's cause, distinguishing this protocol from the boil (שְׁחִין) protocol.
וְֽהָיְתָ֞הand it becomesconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the apodosis→ Weqatal: sequential — the resulting development to watch forהָיָה (H1961) 'to become'; tracks the transformation of the healing burn-site into a bright spot.
מִֽחְיַ֣תthe raw spot ofN f sg constr · מִחְיָה (H4241)Subject of וְהָיְתָה, construct with הַמִּכְוָהמִחְיָה (H4241) 'raw/quick flesh, area of healing'; from חָיָה 'to live', denoting the still-healing tissue of the burn site.
הַמִּכְוָ֗הthe burnart + N f sg abs · מִכְוָה (H4348)Genitival complement (construct chain מִחְיַת הַמִּכְוָה)מִכְוָה (H4348) 'burn' (fixed vocab), from כָּוָה 'to scorch'; here the healing burn-site whose raw flesh turns into a bright spot.
בַּהֶ֛רֶתa bright spotN f sg abs · בֹּהֶרֶת (H934)Predicate nominative complement of וְהָיְתָהבֹּהֶרֶת (H934) 'bright/white spot'; the diagnostic sign that may emerge from a healing burn.
לְבָנָ֥הwhiteAdj f sg abs · לָבָן (H3836)Attributive adjective modifying בַּהֶרֶתלָבָן (H3836) 'white' (fixed vocab).
אֲדַמְדֶּ֖מֶתreddishadj f sg abs · אֲדַמְדָּם (H125)Attributive adjective (color refinement modifying בַּהֶרֶת)אֲדַמְדָּם / אֲדַמְדֶּמֶת (H125) 'reddish', reduplicated intensive from אָדֹם 'red'; with לְבָנָה a reddish-white coloration.
א֥וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction (alternative color)אוֹ (H176) 'or'; offers the alternative coloration, reddish-white or plain white.
לְבָנָֽהwhiteadj f sg abs · לָבָן (H3836)Attributive adjective (alternative color)לָבָן (H3836) 'white' (fixed vocab); the alternative to reddish-white.
25

וְרָאָ֣ה אֹתָ֣הּ הַכֹּהֵ֡ן וְהִנֵּ֣ה נֶהְפַּךְ֩ שֵׂעָ֨ר לָבָ֜ן בַּבַּהֶ֗רֶת וּמַרְאֶ֨הָ֙ עָמֹ֣ק מִן הָע֔וֹר צָרַ֣עַת הִ֔וא בַּמִּכְוָ֖ה פָּרָ֑חָה וְטִמֵּ֤א אֹתוֹ֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן נֶ֥גַע צָרַ֖עַת הִֽוא

The priest shall examine it, and if the hair in the bright spot has turned white, and it appears deeper than the skin, it is scale disease that has broken out in the burn; the priest shall declare him unclean; it is a mark of scale disease.

Same white-hair-plus-depth criteria applied to the burn-site caseוְ
Once again the identical pair of signs (white hair, sunken appearance) governs the verdict — the chapter's diagnostic core remains stable across boil, burn, and ordinary skin presentations, even while procedural details vary by context.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וְרָאָ֣הand shall examineweqatal (Qal) 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb, apodosis (examination)→ Weqatal: apodosis — the priest's diagnostic inspection of the burn-markרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, examine'; the priest's forensic examination of the mark at the burn site.
אֹתָ֣הּitobj marker · אֵת (H853) + 3fs suffixDirect object of וְרָאָהאֵת (H853) nota accusativi with 3fs suffix, marking the (feminine) mark as definite direct object.
הַכֹּהֵ֡ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְרָאָהכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; the diagnostic subject.
וְהִנֵּ֣הand beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (marks the priest's observation)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; signals the priest's direct visual assessment; the scaffold mistags as a noun, re-derived as x.
נֶהְפַּךְ֩has turnedNiphal perf 3ms · הָפַךְ (H2015)Predicate verb (circumstantial clause after הִנֵּה)→ Perfective (Niphal): a completed change of state — the hair has turned whiteהָפַךְ (H2015) 'to turn, change'; Niphal 'be turned/turn', of the diagnostic whitening of the hair, here completed.
שֵׂעָ֨רhairN m sg abs · שֵׂעָר (H8181)Subject of נֶהְפַּךְ (postposed)שֵׂעָר (H8181) 'hair' (fixed vocab); its whitening is the chapter's primary diagnostic sign.
לָבָ֜ןwhiteadj m sg abs · לָבָן (H3836)Predicate adjective (complement of נֶהְפַּךְ)לָבָן (H3836) 'white' (fixed vocab); the diagnostic color to which the hair has turned.
בַּבַּהֶ֗רֶתin the bright spotprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · בֹּהֶרֶת (H934)Locative prepositional phraseבֹּהֶרֶת (H934) 'bright/white spot'; the site where the whitened hair appears.
וּמַרְאֶ֨הָ֙and its appearanceconj וְ + N m sg constr + 3fs suff · מַרְאֶה (H4758)Subject of verbless clause (depth criterion)מַרְאֶה (H4758) 'appearance, sight', from רָאָה; with 3fs suffix, 'its appearance' — the depth criterion.
עָמֹ֣קdeeperadj m sg abs · עָמֹק (H6013)Predicate adjective (depth sign)עָמֹק (H6013) 'deep'; 'deeper than the skin' — the sunken-appearance sign of active disease (cf. vv. 3-4).
מִןthanprep · מִן (H4480)Comparative prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from'; comparative, 'deeper than the skin'.
הָע֔וֹרthe skinart + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Object of comparative מִןעוֹר (H5785) 'skin' (fixed vocab); the reference surface against which the mark's depth is judged.
צָרַ֣עַתscale diseaseN f sg abs · צָרַעַת (H6883)Predicate nominative (verdict)צָרַעַת (H6883) 'scale disease' (not leprosy); the verdict term — 'it is scale disease broken out in the burn.'
הִ֔ואit (is)pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject/copular pronoun (verbless clause)הִוא (H1931), 3fs pronoun (archaic spelling הִוא); copula in the verbless verdict-clause.
בַּמִּכְוָ֖הin the burnprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · מִכְוָה (H4348)Locative prepositional phraseמִכְוָה (H4348) 'burn' (fixed vocab); 'in the burn' — the mark has broken out at the burn-site.
פָּרָ֑חָהit has broken outQal perf 3fs · פָּרַח (H6524)Predicate verb (causal/circumstantial clause)→ Perfective: a completed event — the mark has broken out in the burn, grounding the unclean verdictפָּרַח (H6524) 'to sprout, break out, spread'; 3fs agreeing with the feminine mark, 'it has broken out in the burn.'
וְטִמֵּ֤אand he shall declare uncleanconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3ms · טִמֵּא (H2930)Predicate verb of the apodosis (declarative performative)→ Weqatal: the priest's declarative unclean verdict — forensic-cultic, not medicalטָמֵא (H2930) Piel 'to declare unclean, pronounce unclean' (fixed vocab); the priest's formal verdict, contrasted with טִהֵר 'declare clean.'
אֹתוֹ֙himobj marker · אֵת (H853) + 3ms suffixDirect object of וְטִמֵּאאֵת (H853) nota accusativi with 3ms suffix, marking the afflicted man as definite direct object.
הַכֹּהֵ֔ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְטִמֵּאכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; pronounces the unclean verdict.
נֶ֥גַעa mark ofN m sg constr · נֶגַע (H5061)Predicate nominative (construct, verdict formula)נֶגַע (H5061) 'mark'; construct in the verdict-formula 'it is a mark of scale disease.'
צָרַ֖עַתscale diseaseN f sg abs · צָרַעַת (H6883)Genitival complement (construct chain with נֶגַע)צָרַעַת (H6883), completing 'a mark of scale disease'; the formal verdict term.
הִֽואit (is)pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject/copular pronoun (verbless verdict-clause)הִוא (H1931), 3fs pronoun (archaic spelling); copula in the verbless verdict-clause.
26

וְאִ֣ם יִרְאֶ֣נָּה הַכֹּהֵ֗ן וְהִנֵּ֤ה אֵֽין בַּבֶּהֶ֨רֶת֙ שֵׂעָ֣ר לָבָ֔ן וּשְׁפָלָ֥ה אֵינֶ֛נָּה מִן הָע֖וֹר וְהִ֣וא כֵהָ֑ה וְהִסְגִּיר֥וֹ הַכֹּהֵ֖ן שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים

But if the priest examines it and there is no white hair in the bright spot, and it is not lower than the skin, and it is faded, the priest shall shut him up seven days.

Ambiguous case: quarantine, mirroring vv. 5, 21וְאִם
A third near-verbatim repetition of the ambiguous-case quarantine formula, reinforcing that the underlying procedure is a single template reused across skin, boil, and burn presentations.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְאִ֣םand ifconj וְ + conditional particle · אִם (H518)Conjunction introducing conditional protasisאִם (H518) 'if', the standard conditional particle opening each new diagnostic case in this chapter.
יִרְאֶ֣נָּהhe examines itQal impf 3ms + 3fs suffix · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb of the conditional protasis→ Yiqtol: modal/conditional — a hypothetical future inspectionרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, examine'; the priest's technical visual diagnosis, the chapter's recurring verb of inspection; the scaffold mistags this finite verb as a noun, re-derived as v.
הַכֹּהֵ֗ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of יִרְאֶנָּהכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; the sole diagnostic authority throughout ch. 13.
וְהִנֵּ֤הand beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle introducing the observed factהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, lo'; vivifies the priest's on-the-spot observation; the scaffold mistags as a noun, re-derived as x.
אֵֽיןthere is nonegative particle of existence · אַיִן (H369)Negative existential predicateאַיִן (H369) particle negating existence; denies the presence of white hair in the bright spot; the scaffold mistags as a noun, re-derived as x.
בַּבֶּהֶ֨רֶת֙in the bright spotprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · בֹּהֶרֶת (H934)Locative prepositional phraseבֹּהֶרֶת (H934) 'bright/white spot'; the mark under examination in the burn protocol.
שֵׂעָ֣רhairN m sg abs · שֵׂעָר (H8181)Subject (postponed after אֵין)שֵׂעָר (H8181) 'hair' (fixed vocab); the hair-color sign is the chapter's primary diagnostic marker.
לָבָ֔ןwhiteadj m sg abs · לָבָן (H3836)Attributive adjective modifying שֵׂעָרלָבָן (H3836) 'white' (fixed vocab); whitened hair signals disease-affected follicles.
וּשְׁפָלָ֥הand lowconj וְ + adj f sg abs · שָׁפָל (H8217)Fronted predicate adjective, negated by the following אֵינֶנָּהשָׁפָל (H8217) 'low, sunken'; fronted for emphasis, then negated — 'it is not lower than the skin.'
אֵינֶ֛נָּהit is notnegative particle · אַיִן (H369) + 3fs suffixNegated existential predicate (negates שְׁפָלָה)אַיִן (H369) with 3fs suffix, 'she/it is not'; negates the preceding predicate adjective; the scaffold mistags as a noun, re-derived as x.
מִןthanprep · מִן (H4480)Comparative prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from'; comparative use, 'lower than the skin.'
הָע֖וֹרthe skinart + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Object of comparative מִןעוֹר (H5785) 'skin' (fixed vocab); the reference surface against which depth is judged.
וְהִ֣ואand itconj וְ + indep pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject pronoun (resumptive, referring to the mark)הִיא (H1931) 3fs pronoun (archaic spelling הִוא), resuming the (feminine) mark as subject of כֵהָה.
כֵהָ֑הfadedadj f sg abs · כֵּהָה (H3544)Predicate adjectiveכֵּהָה (H3544) 'dim, faded' (fixed vocab); a receding, non-intensifying color counts against active disease.
וְהִסְגִּיר֥וֹand he shall shut him upconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3ms + 3ms suffix · הִסְגִּיר (H5462)Predicate verb of the apodosis (main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential — the mandated quarantine following the inconclusive diagnosisסָגַר (H5462) Hiphil 'to shut up, quarantine' (fixed vocab); the provisional isolation pending further observation; the scaffold mistags this finite verb as a noun, re-derived as v.
הַכֹּהֵ֖ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְהִסְגִּירוֹכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; orders the quarantine.
שִׁבְעַ֥תsevennumeral m sg constr · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Construct numeral governing יָמִים (adverbial accusative of duration)שֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'; the standard priestly quarantine period recurring across the chapter's protocols.
יָמִֽיםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Absolute complement of שִׁבְעַת (adverbial accusative of duration)יוֹם (H3117) 'day', pl. 'days'.
27

וְרָאָ֥הוּ הַכֹּהֵ֖ן בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֑י אִם פָּשֹׂ֤ה תִפְשֶׂה֙ בָּע֔וֹר וְטִמֵּ֤א הַכֹּהֵן֙ אֹת֔וֹ נֶ֥גַע צָרַ֖עַת הִֽוא

The priest shall examine him on the seventh day: if it has spread in the skin, the priest shall declare him unclean; it is a mark of scale disease.

Re-examination after quarantine: spread yields unclean verdictוְ
Compresses the two-round re-examination process of vv. 5-8 into a single seventh-day check here, since the burn-context already narrows the diagnostic possibilities.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְרָאָ֥הוּand shall examine himweqatal (Qal) 3ms + 3ms suffix · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (apodosis, re-examination)→ Weqatal: sequential — the priest's follow-up inspection on the seventh dayרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, examine'; with 3ms suffix 'him', the mandated day-seven re-examination; the scaffold mistags this finite verb as a noun, re-derived as v.
הַכֹּהֵ֖ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְרָאָהוּכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; conducts the day-seven re-examination.
בַּיּ֣וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; 'on the seventh day' — the fixed re-examination point.
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֑יseventhart + ordinal m sg abs · שְׁבִיעִי (H7637)Attributive ordinal modifying בַּיּוֹםשְׁבִיעִי (H7637) 'seventh', ordinal of שֶׁבַע; the appointed day for re-inspection.
אִםifconditional particle · אִם (H518)Conditional particle introducing the protasisאִם (H518) 'if'; opens the spread-scenario condition.
פָּשֹׂ֤הspreadingQal inf abs · פָּשָׂה (H6581)Infinitive absolute reinforcing the following finite verb (emphatic)→ Infinitive absolute: intensifies certainty — 'indeed spreads'פָּשָׂה (H6581) 'to spread' (fixed vocab); paired with the finite תִפְשֶׂה for emphasis, a recurring idiom in the chapter's spread-clauses.
תִפְשֶׂה֙it spreadsQal impf 3fs · פָּשָׂה (H6581)Predicate verb of the conditional protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional/durative — an ongoing or potential spreadingפָּשָׂה (H6581) 'to spread' (fixed vocab); the decisive sign of active disease.
בָּע֔וֹרin the skinprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phraseעוֹר (H5785) 'skin' (fixed vocab); the site of observed spread.
וְטִמֵּ֤אand he shall declare uncleanconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3ms · טִמֵּא (H2930)Predicate verb of the apodosis→ Weqatal: consequential — the mandated priestly verdictטָמֵא (H2930) Piel 'to declare unclean, pronounce unclean' (fixed vocab); the priest's formal verdict.
הַכֹּהֵן֙the priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְטִמֵּאכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; pronounces the unclean verdict.
אֹת֔וֹhimobj marker · אֵת (H853) + 3ms suffixDirect object of וְטִמֵּאאֵת (H853) nota accusativi with 3ms suffix, marking the afflicted man as definite direct object.
נֶ֥גַעa mark ofN m sg constr · נֶגַע (H5061)Predicate nominative (construct, verdict formula)נֶגַע (H5061) 'mark'; construct in the verdict-formula 'it is a mark of scale disease.'
צָרַ֖עַתscale diseaseN f sg abs · צָרַעַת (H6883)Genitival complement (construct chain with נֶגַע)צָרַעַת (H6883), completing 'a mark of scale disease'; the formal verdict term.
הִֽואit (is)pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject/copular pronoun (verbless verdict-clause)הִוא (H1931), 3fs pronoun (archaic spelling); copula in the verbless verdict-clause.
28

וְאִם תַּחְתֶּיהָ֩ תַעֲמֹ֨ד הַבַּהֶ֜רֶת לֹא פָשְׂתָ֤ה בָעוֹר֙ וְהִ֣וא כֵהָ֔ה שְׂאֵ֥ת הַמִּכְוָ֖ה הִ֑וא וְטִֽהֲרוֹ֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן כִּֽי צָרֶ֥בֶת הַמִּכְוָ֖ה הִֽוא

But if the bright spot stays in its place and has not spread in the skin, and it is faded, it is the swelling from the burn; the priest shall declare him clean, for it is the scar of the burn.

No spread yields clean verdict, closing the burn sub-unitוְאִם
Closes vv. 24-28 with the same stability-equals-non-disease logic as the boil section, confirming the parallel structure of the two etiological sub-units.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְאִםbut ifconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Subordinating conjunction (contrasting protasis)אִם (H518) 'if'; introduces the contrasting stable-mark case that closes the burn sub-unit with a clean verdict.
תַּחְתֶּיהָ֩in its placeprep + 3fs suffix · תַּחַת (H8478)Locative/stative prepositional phrase (with עָמַד)תַּחַת (H8478) 'under, in place of'; with 3fs suffix, 'in its place' — the idiom with עָמַד for a mark holding stable rather than spreading.
תַעֲמֹ֨דstaysQal impf 3fs · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb (protasis)→ Yiqtol: durative/stative — the spot remains stationaryעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand, remain'; here 'stays in place', the idiom for a mark that does not spread — the sign of non-disease.
הַבַּהֶ֜רֶתthe bright spotart + N f sg abs · בַּהֶרֶת (H934)Subject of תַעֲמֹדבַּהֶרֶת (H934) 'bright/white spot'; the mark under examination, here holding stable within the burn.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (negates פָשְׂתָה)לֹא (H3808) 'not'; negates the spreading verb — the mark has not spread.
פָשְׂתָ֤הspreadQal perf 3fs · פָּשָׂה (H6581)Predicate verb (negated, protasis)→ Perfective (negated): the mark has not spreadפָּשָׂה (H6581) 'to spread'; negated — absence of spread is the decisive sign of non-disease in the burn protocol.
בָעוֹר֙in the skinprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phraseעוֹר (H5785) 'skin'; the surface across which spread would be observed.
וְהִ֣ואand it (is)conj וְ + pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject/copular pronoun (verbless clause)הִיא (H1931), 3fs pronoun agreeing with בַּהֶרֶת; subject of the verbless clause 'and it is faded'.
כֵהָ֔הfadedadj f sg abs · כֵּהֶה (H3544)Predicate adjectiveכֵּהֶה (H3544) 'dim, faint, faded'; the mark has dulled in color — a sign that it is healing rather than active.
שְׂאֵ֥תswelling ofN f sg constr · שְׂאֵת (H7613)Predicate nominative (construct head)שְׂאֵת (H7613) 'swelling, rising', from נָשָׂא 'to lift'; a raised spot — here 'the swelling of the burn', a benign after-effect.
הַמִּכְוָ֖הthe burnart + N f sg abs · מִכְוָה (H4348)Genitival complement (construct chain with שְׂאֵת)מִכְוָה (H4348) 'burn, scorching', from כָּוָה 'to burn'; the burn-injury that is the etiological context of vv. 24-28.
הִ֑ואit (is)pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Copular pronoun (verbless clause)הִוא (H1931), 3fs pronoun; copula in 'it is the swelling of the burn'.
וְטִֽהֲרוֹ֙and he shall declare him cleanconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3ms + 3ms suffix · טָהֵר (H2891)Predicate verb, apodosis (declarative verdict)→ Weqatal: consequential — the priest's performative clean verdictטָהֵר (H2891) Piel 'to declare/pronounce clean'; with 3ms suffix 'him' — the priest's forensic-cultic verdict of cleanness; the scaffold mistags this finite verb as a noun, re-derived as v.
הַכֹּהֵ֔ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְטִהֲרוֹכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; pronounces the clean verdict.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (gives grounds for the verdict)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the reason for the clean verdict — the mark is merely a burn-scar.
צָרֶ֥בֶתscar ofN f sg constr · צָרֶבֶת (H6867)Predicate nominative (construct head)צָרֶבֶת (H6867) 'scar, scab (of a burn)', a rare term of uncertain precise sense, from צָרַב 'to scorch/burn'; here 'the scar of the burn' — the benign healed mark. Exact dermatological identification is uncertain.
הַמִּכְוָ֖הthe burnart + N f sg abs · מִכְוָה (H4348)Genitival complement (construct chain with צָרֶבֶת)מִכְוָה (H4348) 'burn'; completes 'the scar of the burn'.
הִֽואit (is)pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Copular pronoun (verbless verdict-clause)הִוא (H1931), 3fs pronoun; copula in the closing clause 'it is the scar of the burn'.
29

וְאִישׁ֙ א֣וֹ אִשָּׁ֔ה כִּֽי יִהְיֶ֥ה ב֖וֹ נָ֑גַע בְּרֹ֖אשׁ א֥וֹ בְזָקָֽן

When a man or a woman has a mark on the head or in the beard,

New sub-unit: the scall of head or beardוְ
The fifth protocol (vv. 29-37) explicitly names both man and woman as potential sufferers — the only place in the chapter to do so — since beard functions as the male-specific site paired with the head shared by both sexes.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְאִישׁ֙and a manconj וְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (casus pendens, fronted)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; fronted subject opening the scall protocol, which uniquely addresses either sex.
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; joins the alternative subject אִשָּׁה — the protocol applies to man or woman.
אִשָּׁ֔הa womanN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subject (alternative, in apposition)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; the female alternative subject — vv. 29-37 uniquely name both sexes, since the beard is male-specific but the head is shared.
כִּֽיwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional/temporal conjunction (protasis marker)כִּי (H3588) 'when, if'; opens the protasis specifying the condition — a mark on head or beard.
יִהְיֶ֥הthere isQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (protasis)→ Yiqtol: modal/conditional — should there come to beהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; here 'when there is on him a mark' — the existential onset of the condition.
ב֖וֹon himprep בְּ + 3ms suffixLocative prepositional phraseבְּ 'in, on' + 3ms suffix, 'on him' — locates the mark on the person.
נָ֑גַעa markN m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject of יִהְיֶהנֶגַע (H5061) 'mark, plague'; the suspicious mark, now located on the head or beard.
בְּרֹ֖אשׁon the headprep בְּ + N m sg abs · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Locative prepositional phraseרֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; one of the two hair-bearing sites — shared by both sexes — governed by the scall protocol.
א֥וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; joins the alternative site, the beard.
בְזָקָֽןin the beardprep בְּ + N (c) sg abs · זָקָן (H2206)Locative prepositional phraseזָקָן (H2206) 'beard, chin'; the male-specific hair site paired with the head in this protocol.
30

וְרָאָ֨ה הַכֹּהֵ֜ן אֶת הַנֶּ֗גַע וְהִנֵּ֤ה מַרְאֵ֨הוּ֙ עָמֹ֣ק מִן הָע֔וֹר וּב֛וֹ שֵׂעָ֥ר צָהֹ֖ב דָּ֑ק וְטִמֵּ֨א אֹת֤וֹ הַכֹּהֵן֙ נֶ֣תֶק ה֔וּא צָרַ֧עַת הָרֹ֛אשׁ א֥וֹ הַזָּקָ֖ן הֽוּא

The priest shall examine the mark, and if it appears deeper than the skin, and there is in it thin yellow hair, the priest shall declare him unclean; it is a scall, a scale disease of the head or the beard.

Diagnostic protasis for the scall: depth plus thin yellow hairוְ
The scall introduces a third diagnostic pair distinct from earlier sections: not white hair but thin, yellow (צָהֹב) hair — since scalp/beard hair has its own natural color, the sign of disease there is different from bare skin.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וְרָאָ֨הand shall examineconj וְ + weqatal (Qal) 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (apodosis / instruction)→ Weqatal: sequential — the priest's mandated examinationרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, examine'; the priest's technical diagnostic inspection of the head/beard mark.
הַכֹּהֵ֜ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְרָאָהכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; conducts the examination.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַנֶּגַע as the definite direct object of רָאָה.
הַנֶּ֗גַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Direct object of רָאָהנֶגַע (H5061) 'mark'; the suspicious mark on head or beard, now under inspection.
וְהִנֵּ֤הand beholdconj וְ + interjection · הִנֵּה (H2009)Attention-directing particle (introduces observed finding)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; presents the priest's observed diagnostic finding.
מַרְאֵ֨הוּ֙its appearanceN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · מַרְאֶה (H4758)Subject (of verbless clause)מַרְאֶה (H4758) 'appearance', from רָאָה; with 3ms suffix, 'its appearance' — the depth criterion of diagnosis.
עָמֹ֣קdeeperadj m sg abs · עָמֹק (H6013)Predicate adjectiveעָמֹק (H6013) 'deep'; the mark appears sunk below the skin — the depth sign of disease.
מִןthanprep · מִן (H4480)Comparative prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from, than'; comparative with עָמֹק, 'deeper than the skin'.
הָע֔וֹרthe skinart + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Object of comparison (מִן)עוֹר (H5785) 'skin'; the baseline surface against which depth is judged.
וּב֛וֹand in itconj וְ + prep בְּ + 3ms suffixLocative prepositional phrase (fronted)וְ + בְּ 'in' + 3ms suffix, 'and in it' — refers to the mark; fronts the presence of yellow hair.
שֵׂעָ֥רhairN m sg abs · שֵׂעָר (H8181)Subject (of existential clause)שֵׂעָר (H8181) 'hair'; here the diagnostic hair, its color and fineness the sign of disease in the scall.
צָהֹ֖בyellowadj m sg abs · צָהֹב (H6669)Attributive adjective (modifying שֵׂעָר)צָהֹב (H6669) 'yellow, golden'; in the scall protocol thin yellow hair — not white — is the sign of disease, an inversion of the bare-skin criterion.
דָּ֑קthinadj m sg abs · דַּק (H1851)Attributive adjective (modifying שֵׂעָר)דַּק (H1851) 'thin, fine', from דָּקַק 'to crush fine'; the diseased hair is fine/wispy as well as yellow.
וְטִמֵּ֨אand he shall declare uncleanconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3ms · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb, apodosis (declarative verdict)→ Weqatal: consequential — the priest's performative unclean verdictטָמֵא (H2930) Piel 'to declare/pronounce unclean'; the priest's forensic-cultic verdict when the disease-signs are present.
אֹת֤וֹhimobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (pronominal, definite object)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, 'him' — the direct object of וְטִמֵּא.
הַכֹּהֵן֙the priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְטִמֵּאכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; pronounces the unclean verdict.
נֶ֣תֶקa scallN m sg abs · נֶתֶק (H5424)Predicate nominative (verdict formula)נֶתֶק (H5424) 'scall', a scaly condition of the scalp/beard, from נָתַק 'to tear/pull away' (hair torn out); precise dermatological identification is uncertain — kept transliterated-technical.
ה֔וּאit (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copular pronoun (verbless verdict-clause)הוּא (H1931) 'he, it'; copula in 'it is a scall' — masculine, agreeing with נֶתֶק.
צָרַ֧עַתscale disease ofN f sg constr · צָרַעַת (H6883)Predicate nominative (construct head, apposition)צָרַעַת (H6883); construct 'scale disease of the head or beard' — the scall classed as a form of the chapter's umbrella verdict term.
הָרֹ֛אשׁthe headart + N m sg abs · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Genitival complement (construct chain with צָרַעַת)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; the scalp as one site of the scall.
א֥וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; joins the alternative site, the beard.
הַזָּקָ֖ןthe beardart + N (c) sg abs · זָקָן (H2206)Genitival complement (construct chain, alternative)זָקָן (H2206) 'beard, chin'; the alternative site of the scall.
הֽוּאit (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copular pronoun (verbless verdict-clause)הוּא (H1931) 'he, it'; closes the verdict clause 'a scale disease of the head or beard it is'.
31

וְכִֽי יִרְאֶ֨ה הַכֹּהֵ֜ן אֶת נֶ֣גַע הַנֶּ֗תֶק וְהִנֵּ֤ה אֵין מַרְאֵ֨הוּ֙ עָמֹ֣ק מִן הָע֔וֹר וְשֵׂעָ֥ר שָׁחֹ֖ר אֵ֣ין בּ֑וֹ וְהִסְגִּ֧יר הַכֹּהֵ֛ן אֶת נֶ֥גַע הַנֶּ֖תֶק שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים

But if the priest examines the scall mark and it does not appear deeper than the skin, and there is no black hair in it, the priest shall shut up the person with the scall mark for seven days.

Ambiguous case triggers quarantineוְ
Here black hair (the natural, healthy color) rather than white functions as the reassuring sign, in contrast to earlier sections where white hair was the sign of disease — the scall's diagnostic logic is inverted relative to ordinary skin marks.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וְכִֽיand ifconj וְ + conj כִּי · כִּי (H3588)Conditional conjunction (protasis marker)כִּי (H3588) 'if, when, that'; here introduces the conditional protasis governing vv. 31-33.
יִרְאֶ֨הexaminesQal impf 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (protasis, main clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — the priest's future/repeated act of examiningרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, look at, examine'; technical diagnostic term throughout ch.13 for the priest's visual inspection.
הַכֹּהֵ֜ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of יִרְאֶהכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; the diagnostic authority throughout the chapter.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking נֶגַע הַנֶּתֶק as definite direct object.
נֶ֣גַעmark ofN m sg constr · נֶגַע (H5061)Direct object (construct head)נֶגַע (H5061) 'mark, plague, affliction'; construct with הַנֶּתֶק, 'the scall-mark'.
הַנֶּ֗תֶקthe scallart + N m sg abs · נֶתֶק (H5424)Genitive (construct chain)נֶתֶק (H5424) 'scall', a scale-condition of the scalp/beard; keep transliterated-technical — precise dermatological identification is uncertain.
וְהִנֵּ֤הand beholdconj וְ + interjection · הִנֵּה (H2009)Attention-directing particle (introduces observed fact)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; marks the priest's observed finding, common in this chapter's diagnostic formulas.
אֵיןthere is notnegative existential · אַיִן (H369)Negative predicator of existenceאַיִן (H369) 'there is not, non-existence'; negates the following noun clause מַרְאֵהוּ עָמֹק.
מַרְאֵ֨הוּ֙its appearanceN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · מַרְאֶה (H4758)Subject (of negated verbless clause)מַרְאֶה (H4758) 'appearance, sight', from רָאָה; the visual criterion of depth-perception in diagnosis.
עָמֹ֣קdeepAdj m sg abs · עָמֹק (H6013)Predicate adjectiveעָמֹק (H6013) 'deep'; here negated — the mark does not appear deeper than the skin, ruling out disease indicator.
מִןthanprep · מִן (H4480)Comparative prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from, than'; comparative use with עָמֹק, 'deeper than'.
הָע֔וֹרthe skinart + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Object of comparison (מִן)עוֹר (H5785) 'skin'; the baseline surface against which depth of the mark is judged throughout the chapter.
וְשֵׂעָ֥רand hairconj וְ + N m sg abs · שֵׂעָר (H8181)Subject (of negated verbless clause)שֵׂעָר (H8181) 'hair'; here the diagnostic hair-color criterion, its color signifying the disease/healing status.
שָׁחֹ֖רblackAdj m sg abs · שָׁחֹר (H7838)Attributive adjective (modifying שֵׂעָר)שָׁחֹר (H7838) 'black'; in the scall protocol black (natural) hair is the reassuring sign — inverted from the white-hair criterion used with ordinary skin marks.
אֵ֣יןthere is notnegative existential · אַיִן (H369)Negative predicator of existenceאַיִן (H369) negates the presence of black hair 'in it' (i.e., in the scall).
בּ֑וֹin itprep בְּ + 3ms suffixLocative prepositional phraseבְּ 'in' + 3ms suffix referring back to הַנֶּתֶק, 'in it/the scall'.
וְהִסְגִּ֧ירand shall shut upconj וְ + weqatal (Hiphil) 3ms · סָגַר (H5462)Predicate verb, apodosis (main instruction)→ Weqatal: consequential — the mandated quarantine orderסָגַר (H5462) Hiphil 'to shut up, isolate, quarantine'; the priest confines the ambiguous case for seven days rather than rendering a verdict.
הַכֹּהֵ֛ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְהִסְגִּיר
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marks נֶגַע הַנֶּתֶק as the definite direct object of וְהִסְגִּיר.
נֶ֥גַעmark ofN m sg constr · נֶגַע (H5061)Direct object (construct head)
הַנֶּ֖תֶקthe scallart + N m sg abs · נֶתֶק (H5424)Genitive (construct chain)
שִׁבְעַ֥תsevennumeral m sg constr · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Construct numeral (adverbial accusative of duration)שֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'; construct before יָמִים, forming 'seven days', the standard priestly quarantine interval.
יָמִֽיםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of durationיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural forms the standard week-long quarantine period recurring throughout ch. 13.
32

וְרָאָ֨ה הַכֹּהֵ֣ן אֶת הַנֶּגַע֮ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי֒ וְהִנֵּה֙ לֹא פָשָׂ֣ה הַנֶּ֔תֶק וְלֹא הָ֥יָה ב֖וֹ שֵׂעָ֣ר צָהֹ֑ב וּמַרְאֵ֣ה הַנֶּ֔תֶק אֵ֥ין עָמֹ֖ק מִן הָעֽוֹר

The priest shall examine the mark on the seventh day, and if the scall has not spread, and there is no yellow hair in it, and the appearance of the scall is not deeper than the skin,

Re-examination: three negative criteria togetherוְ
The absence of spread, yellow hair, and depth together must all hold for the process to continue toward a shaving protocol (v. 33) rather than an outright verdict — a more elaborate procedure than the earlier sections' simpler binary checks.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וְרָאָ֨הshall examineQal perf 3ms (weqatal) · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause continuation)→ Weqatal: consequential/future — continued sequence of priestly duty
הַכֹּהֵ֣ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְרָאָה
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַנֶּגַע֮the markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Direct object
בַּיּ֣וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; here with the article and שְׁבִיעִי, 'on the seventh day' — marks the fixed re-examination point.
הַשְּׁבִיעִי֒the seventhart + ordinal m sg abs · שְׁבִיעִי (H7637)Attributive adjective (modifying יוֹם)שְׁבִיעִי (H7637) 'seventh', ordinal from שֶׁבַע; marks the mandated interval for re-examination after quarantine.
וְהִנֵּה֙and beholdconj וְ + interjection · הִנֵּה (H2009)Attention-directing particle
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates פָשָׂהלֹא (H3808) standard verbal negative.
פָשָׂ֣הhas spreadQal perf 3ms · פָּשָׂה (H6581)Predicate verb (negated, protasis)→ Perfective: a completed state assessed as of the re-examinationפָּשָׂה (H6581) 'to spread'; the chapter's key term for whether a skin condition has expanded — negated here, the first of three cumulative negative criteria.
הַנֶּ֔תֶקthe scallart + N m sg abs · נֶתֶק (H5424)Subject of פָשָׂה
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating negative conjunction
הָ֥יָהwasQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential, negated)→ Perfective: stative assessment at time of re-examinationהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; here existential, 'there was (no) ... in it'.
ב֖וֹin itprep בְּ + 3ms suffixLocative prepositional phrase
שֵׂעָ֣רhairN m sg abs · שֵׂעָר (H8181)Subject of הָיָה
צָהֹ֑בyellowAdj m sg abs · צָהֹב (H6669)Attributive adjective (modifying שֵׂעָר)צָהֹב (H6669) 'yellow, gold-colored'; the diagnostic hair-color for scall disease (contrast שָׁחֹר 'black' as the healthy sign in this protocol).
וּמַרְאֵ֣הand the appearance ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · מַרְאֶה (H4758)Subject (construct head, of negated verbless clause)
הַנֶּ֔תֶקthe scallart + N m sg abs · נֶתֶק (H5424)Genitive (construct chain)
אֵ֥יןthere is notnegative existential · אַיִן (H369)Negative predicator of existence
עָמֹ֖קdeepAdj m sg abs · עָמֹק (H6013)Predicate adjective
מִןthanprep · מִן (H4480)Comparative prepositional phrase
הָעֽוֹרthe skinart + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Object of comparison (מִן)
33

וְהִ֨תְגַּלָּ֔ח וְאֶת הַנֶּ֖תֶק לֹ֣א יְגַלֵּ֑חַ וְהִסְגִּ֨יר הַכֹּהֵ֧ן אֶת הַנֶּ֛תֶק שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים שֵׁנִֽית

then he shall shave himself, but the scall he shall not shave, and the priest shall shut up the person with the scall seven more days.

Distinctive procedure: selective shaving isolates the affected area for closer observationוְ
Unique to the scall protocol: the sufferer shaves the surrounding hair while leaving the affected patch itself untouched, so the priest can observe whether new hair regrows there during the second seven-day period — an ingenious diagnostic use of hair growth as a time-lapse indicator.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְהִ֨תְגַּלָּ֔חhe shall shave himselfHitpael perf 3ms (weqatal) · הִתְגַּלַּח (H1548)Predicate verb (main clause, reflexive)→ Weqatal: consequential/future — the required next actionגָּלַח (H1548) Hitpael 'to shave oneself'; reflexive stem — the afflicted man shaves the surrounding area himself.
וְאֶתbut [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (fronted for contrast)אֵת (H853) marks הַנֶּתֶק as direct object, fronted before the negated verb for contrastive emphasis: 'but the scall he shall not shave'.
הַנֶּ֖תֶקthe scallart + N m sg abs · נֶתֶק (H5424)Direct object (fronted, contrastive)
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יְגַלֵּחַ
יְגַלֵּ֑חַhe shall shavePiel impf 3ms · גִּלַּח (H1548)Predicate verb (negated)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — prohibition, 'he must not shave'גָּלַח (H1548) Piel 'to shave (something)'; here with the scall patch itself as object, prohibited — the sufferer shaves around, not over, the affected area.
וְהִסְגִּ֨ירshall shut upHiphil perf 3ms (weqatal) · הִסְגִּיר (H5462)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential/future — the required next legal action
הַכֹּהֵ֧ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְהִסְגִּיר
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַנֶּ֛תֶקthe scallart + N m sg abs · נֶתֶק (H5424)Direct object
שִׁבְעַ֥תsevennumeral m sg constr · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Construct numeral (adverbial accusative of duration)
יָמִ֖יםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of duration
שֵׁנִֽיתa second timeadj/ordinal f sg abs (adverbial) · שֵׁנִית (H8145)Adverbial accusative (modifying וְהִסְגִּיר)שֵׁנִית (H8145) 'a second time', from שֵׁנִי 'second'; marks this as the second seven-day quarantine period for the scall protocol.
34

וְרָאָה֩ הַכֹּהֵ֨ן אֶת הַנֶּ֜תֶק בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י וְ֠הִנֵּה לֹא פָשָׂ֤ה הַנֶּ֨תֶק֙ בָּע֔וֹר וּמַרְאֵ֕הוּ אֵינֶ֥נּוּ עָמֹ֖ק מִן הָע֑וֹר וְטִהַ֤ר אֹתוֹ֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וְכִבֶּ֥ס בְּגָדָ֖יו וְטָהֵֽר

The priest shall examine the scall on the seventh day, and if the scall has not spread in the skin, and it does not appear deeper than the skin, the priest shall declare him clean; he shall wash his clothes, and he is clean.

Final re-examination: clean verdict with garment-washingוְ
Closes the scall's diagnostic phase with the same garment-washing rite seen at v. 6, again marking that even a suspected (never confirmed) impurity required ritual closure before full return to the community.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וְרָאָה֩shall examineQal perf 3ms (weqatal) · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential/future — the priest's re-examination
הַכֹּהֵ֨ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְרָאָה
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַנֶּ֜תֶקthe scallart + N m sg abs · נֶתֶק (H5424)Direct object
בַּיּ֣וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗יthe seventhart + ordinal m sg abs · שְׁבִיעִי (H7637)Attributive adjective (modifying יוֹם)
וְ֠הִנֵּהand beholdconj וְ + interjection · הִנֵּה (H2009)Attention-directing particle
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates פָשָׂה
פָשָׂ֤הhas spreadQal perf 3ms · פָּשָׂה (H6581)Predicate verb (negated, protasis)→ Perfective: a completed state assessed as of the re-examination
הַנֶּ֨תֶק֙the scallart + N m sg abs · נֶתֶק (H5424)Subject of פָשָׂה
בָּע֔וֹרin the skinprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phrase
וּמַרְאֵ֕הוּand its appearanceconj וְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · מַרְאֶה (H4758)Subject (of negated verbless clause)
אֵינֶ֥נּוּit is notnegative existential + 3ms suffix · אַיִן (H369)Negative predicator of existence (with pronominal subject)אַיִן (H369) with 3ms suffix, 'it is not' — negates עָמֹק, the depth-criterion.
עָמֹ֖קdeepadj m sg abs · עָמֹק (H6013)Predicate adjectiveעָמֹק (H6013) 'deep'; here negated by אֵינֶנּוּ — the scall does not appear sunk below the skin, ruling out the depth-sign of disease.
מִןthanprep · מִן (H4480)Comparative prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from, than'; comparative with עָמֹק, 'deeper than the skin'.
הָע֑וֹרthe skinart + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Object of comparison (מִן)עוֹר (H5785) 'skin'; the baseline surface against which the scall's depth is judged.
וְטִהַ֤רand shall declare cleanconj וְ + weqatal (Piel) 3ms · טָהֵר (H2891)Predicate verb, apodosis (declarative verdict)→ Weqatal: the priest's declarative clean verdict — a performative speech-act, forensic-cultic not medicalטָהֵר (H2891) Piel 'to declare/pronounce clean'; the priest constitutes cultic status, he does not heal — the clean verdict here parallels v. 6.
אֹתוֹ֙himobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (pronominal, definite object)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, 'him' — the direct object of וְטִהַר; scaffold mistags the object-marker as a noun, re-derived as x.
הַכֹּהֵ֔ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְטִהַרכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; pronounces the clean verdict.
וְכִבֶּ֥סand he shall washconj וְ + weqatal (Piel) 3ms · כָּבַס (H3526)Predicate verb, apodosis (purification rite)→ Weqatal: the concluding cleansing act sealing the clean verdictכָּבַס (H3526) Piel 'to wash (clothes) by treading/kneading'; the ritual laundering that formally closes the case, as at v. 6.
בְּגָדָ֖יוhis clothesN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · בֶּגֶד (H899)Direct object of וְכִבֶּסבֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment, clothing'; the object of the ritual laundering.
וְטָהֵֽרand he is cleanconj וְ + weqatal (Qal) 3ms · טָהֵר (H2891)Predicate verb (resultant state)→ Weqatal: the resultant declared state — the person is (now) cleanטָהֵר (H2891) Qal 'to be clean, pure'; states the achieved status (he IS clean), distinct from the Piel declarative earlier in the verse.
35

וְאִם פָּשֹׂ֥ה יִפְשֶׂ֛ה הַנֶּ֖תֶק בָּע֑וֹר אַחֲרֵ֖י טָהֳרָתֽוֹ

But if the scall spreads further in the skin after his cleansing,

Reversal case: post-clearance spread, paralleling v. 7וְאִם
Mirrors v. 7's structure exactly (spread after a clean verdict), applied now to the scall — the chapter consistently allows for later reversal of even a formally sealed clean verdict.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וְאִםbut ifconj וְ + conj אִם · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction (protasis marker)אִם (H518) 'if'; with prefixed וְ opens the reversal protasis — spread after the clean verdict, paralleling v. 7.
פָּשֹׂ֥הindeedinf abs · פָּשָׂה (H6581)Infinitive absolute (intensifying the finite verb)→ Infinitive absolute paired with the yiqtol for emphasis: 'if it spreads at all'פָּשָׂה (H6581) 'to spread'; infinitive absolute preceding the finite יִפְשֶׂה, an emphatic construction — 'if the scall really spreads'.
יִפְשֶׂ֛הspreadsQal impf 3ms · פָּשָׂה (H6581)Predicate verb (protasis)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — the eventual spreading, intensified by the preceding infinitive absoluteפָּשָׂה (H6581) 'to spread, extend'; the chapter's operative criterion — renewed spread after clearance reopens the case.
הַנֶּ֖תֶקthe scallart + N m sg abs · נֶתֶק (H5424)Subject of יִפְשֶׂהנֶתֶק (H5424) 'scall', a scale-condition of the scalp/beard; precise dermatological identification is uncertain — kept transliterated-technical.
בָּע֑וֹרin the skinprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phraseעוֹר (H5785) 'skin'; the surface across which the renewed spreading is measured.
אַחֲרֵ֖יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Temporal prepositional phraseאַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; construct 'after his cleansing' — locating the spread in time relative to the clean verdict.
טָהֳרָתֽוֹhis cleansingN (c) sg constr + 3ms suffix · טָהֳרָה (H2893)Object of אַחֲרֵי (genitive)טָהֳרָה (H2893) 'cleansing, purification', from טָהֵר; 'after his cleansing' — the formal clean verdict now potentially reversed.
36

וְרָאָ֨הוּ֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וְהִנֵּ֛ה פָּשָׂ֥ה הַנֶּ֖תֶק בָּע֑וֹר לֹֽא יְבַקֵּ֧ר הַכֹּהֵ֛ן לַשֵּׂעָ֥ר הַצָּהֹ֖ב טָמֵ֥א הֽוּא

the priest shall examine him, and if the scall has spread in the skin, the priest need not seek out the yellow hair; he is unclean.

Confirmed spread yields verdict without needing the hair criterionוְ
יְבַקֵּר 'seek out, investigate' (root בקר) shows that once spreading is confirmed, the priest can dispense with the more laborious hair-color check — spread alone is sufficient evidence at this stage.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְרָאָ֨הוּ֙and shall examine himconj וְ + weqatal (Qal) 3ms + 3ms suffix · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb, apodosis (re-examination)→ Weqatal: the priest's re-examination after the report of renewed spreadרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, examine', with 3ms object suffix 'him'; the scaffold mistags this finite verb as a noun — re-derived as a verb per morphology.
הַכֹּהֵ֔ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְרָאָהוּכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; conducts the re-examination.
וְהִנֵּ֛הand beholdconj וְ + interjection · הִנֵּה (H2009)Attention-directing particle (introduces observed finding)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; presents the priest's observed finding; scaffold mistags as a noun, re-derived as x.
פָּשָׂ֥הhas spreadQal perf 3ms · פָּשָׂה (H6581)Predicate verb (circumstantial clause after הִנֵּה)→ Perfective: a completed state — the scall has now spreadפָּשָׂה (H6581) 'to spread'; confirmed spreading, which alone now suffices for the unclean verdict.
הַנֶּ֖תֶקthe scallart + N m sg abs · נֶתֶק (H5424)Subject of פָשָׂהנֶתֶק (H5424) 'scall'; now observed to have spread.
בָּע֑וֹרin the skinprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phraseעוֹר (H5785) 'skin'; the surface across which the spreading is confirmed.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יְבַקֵּרלֹא (H3808) 'not'; scaffold mistags the negative as a noun, re-derived as x — the priest need not search for the yellow hair.
יְבַקֵּ֧רshall seek outPiel impf 3ms · בָּקַר (H1239)Predicate verb (negated)→ Yiqtol: modal — 'need not investigate'; the negated obligation to search for the yellow hairבָּקַר (H1239) Piel 'to seek out, inquire, investigate'; once spread is confirmed the priest is relieved of the laborious hair-color check — spread alone suffices.
הַכֹּהֵ֛ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of יְבַקֵּרכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; relieved here of the hair-search step.
לַשֵּׂעָ֥רfor the hairprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · שֵׂעָר (H8181)Prepositional object of יְבַקֵּרשֵׂעָר (H8181) 'hair'; the yellow hair the priest need no longer search for, the earlier color-criterion now bypassed.
הַצָּהֹ֖בthe yellowart + adj m sg abs · צָהֹב (H6669)Attributive adjective (modifying שֵׂעָר)צָהֹב (H6669) 'yellow, golden'; the scall's diagnostic hair-color, whose confirmation is now unnecessary given the spread.
טָמֵ֥אuncleanadj m sg abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjective (verdict)טָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean'; the adjectival verdict — 'he is unclean' — the spread alone establishing the status.
הֽוּאhe (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copular pronoun (verbless verdict-clause)הוּא (H1931) 'he, it'; copula in the verbless verdict-clause 'he is unclean'.
37

וְאִם בְּעֵינָיו֩ עָמַ֨ד הַנֶּ֜תֶק וְשֵׂעָ֨ר שָׁחֹ֧ר צָֽמַח בּ֛וֹ נִרְפָּ֥א הַנֶּ֖תֶק טָה֣וֹר ה֑וּא וְטִהֲר֖וֹ הַכֹּהֵֽן

But if in his eyes the scall has stayed as it was, and black hair has grown in it, the scall is healed; he is clean, and the priest shall declare him clean.

Regrowth of black hair signals healing, closes the scall unitוְאִם
The regrowth of natural black hair (the very sign whose absence triggered quarantine in v. 31) is the definitive sign of healing, closing vv. 29-37 with the shaving-and-regrowth diagnostic device introduced in v. 33 fully vindicated.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְאִםbut ifconj וְ + conj אִם · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction (protasis marker)אִם (H518) 'if'; with prefixed וְ opens the alternative protasis — the healing outcome contrasting with v. 36's spread.
בְּעֵינָיו֩in his eyesprep בְּ + N c dual constr + 3ms suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locus of judgment)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye' (dual); 'in his eyes' grounds the verdict in the priest's own visual perception, as at v. 5.
עָמַ֨דhas stayedQal perf 3ms · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb (circumstantial clause)→ Perfective: a completed, static condition — the scall has held unchangedעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand, remain, stay'; the scall has held its ground — here, combined with black-hair regrowth, a sign of healing rather than continued threat.
הַנֶּ֜תֶקthe scallart + N m sg abs · נֶתֶק (H5424)Subject of עָמַדנֶתֶק (H5424) 'scall'; here observed to have stayed as it was.
וְשֵׂעָ֨רand hairconj וְ + N m sg abs · שֵׂעָר (H8181)Subject (of following clause)שֵׂעָר (H8181) 'hair'; here the black regrowth whose appearance signals healing.
שָׁחֹ֧רblackadj m sg abs · שָׁחֹר (H7838)Attributive adjective (modifying שֵׂעָר)שָׁחֹר (H7838) 'black'; in the scall protocol black (natural) hair is the reassuring sign — its regrowth here reverses the quarantine trigger of v. 31.
צָֽמַחhas grownQal perf 3ms · צָמַח (H6779)Predicate verb (circumstantial clause)→ Perfective: a completed event — new black hair has sproutedצָמַח (H6779) 'to sprout, spring up, grow' (of vegetation and hair); the regrowth of natural hair is the decisive sign the scall has healed.
בּ֛וֹin itprep בְּ + 3ms suffixLocative prepositional phraseבְּ 'in' + 3ms suffix referring back to הַנֶּתֶק, 'in it/the scall'.
נִרְפָּ֥אis healedNiphal perf 3ms · רָפָא (H7495)Predicate verb (main clause, resultant state)→ Perfective (Niphal passive): the achieved state — the scall has been healedרָפָא (H7495) Niphal 'to be healed'; the passive verdict that the scall is now cured — a rare use of 'heal' language, describing the condition itself, not the priest's act.
הַנֶּ֖תֶקthe scallart + N m sg abs · נֶתֶק (H5424)Subject of נִרְפָּאנֶתֶק (H5424) 'scall'; declared healed by the black-hair regrowth.
טָה֣וֹרcleanadj m sg abs · טָהוֹר (H2889)Predicate adjective (verdict)טָהוֹר (H2889) 'clean, pure'; the adjectival verdict 'he is clean' — the healed state translated into cultic status.
ה֑וּאhe (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copular pronoun (verbless verdict-clause)הוּא (H1931) 'he, it'; copula in the verbless clause 'he is clean'.
וְטִהֲר֖וֹand shall declare him cleanconj וְ + weqatal (Piel) 3ms + 3ms suffix · טָהֵר (H2891)Predicate verb, apodosis (declarative performative)→ Weqatal: the priest's declarative clean verdict — a performative speech-act sealing the healingטָהֵר (H2891) Piel 'to declare/pronounce clean', with 3ms suffix 'him'; the scaffold mistags this finite verb as a noun — re-derived as a verb per morphology; the priest constitutes the cultic status.
הַכֹּהֵֽןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְטִהֲרוֹכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; pronounces the final clean verdict, closing the scall unit.
38

וְאִישׁ֙ אֽוֹ אִשָּׁ֔ה כִּֽי יִהְיֶ֥ה בְעוֹר בְּשָׂרָ֖ם בֶּהָרֹ֑ת בֶּהָרֹ֖ת לְבָנֹֽת

When a man or a woman has bright spots on the skin of their body, white bright spots,

New sub-unit: the harmless בֹּהַק conditionוְ
A brief sixth protocol (vv. 38-39) again names both man and woman. The repetition בֶּהָרֹת בֶּהָרֹת לְבָנֹת ('bright spots, white bright spots') sets up an important negative case: not every white spot is disease.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְאִישׁ֙and a manconj וְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (casus pendens, fronted before כִּי)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; with prefixed וְ opens the sixth protocol's protasis — man or woman alike are in view.
אֽוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating disjunctive conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; links the male and female subjects — the protocol applies to either.
אִשָּׁ֔הa womanN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subject (alternative, coordinate with אִישׁ)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; paired with אִישׁ to show the harmless-spot protocol applies to both sexes.
כִּֽיwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (introduces casuistic protasis)כִּי (H3588) here in its conditional/temporal sense 'when, if'; opens the case-law protasis.
יִהְיֶ֥הthere isQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential, protasis)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a hypothetical case introduced by כִּיהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; existential 'there arises/comes to be' governing the following בֶּהָרֹת.
בְעוֹרon the skin ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phraseעוֹר (H5785) 'skin'; construct before בְּשָׂרָם, 'on the skin of their body' — the site of diagnosis.
בְּשָׂרָ֖םtheir bodyN m sg constr + 3mp suffix · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Genitival complement of עוֹר (construct chain)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, body'; 3mp suffix 'their body' embracing both the man and the woman.
בֶּהָרֹ֑תbright spotsN f pl abs · בַּהֶרֶת (H934)Subject (the skin anomaly in view)בַּהֶרֶת (H934) 'bright/white spot'; here plural — the chapter's recurring technical term, now heading the harmless-case protocol.
בֶּהָרֹ֖תbright spotsN f pl abs · בַּהֶרֶת (H934)Subject (resumptive, specified by the following adjective)בַּהֶרֶת (H934) plural repeated, resumed to attach the qualifying adjective לְבָנֹת 'white'.
לְבָנֹֽתwhiteadj f pl abs · לָבָן (H3836)Attributive adjective (modifying בֶּהָרֹת)לָבָן (H3836) 'white'; f pl agreeing with בֶּהָרֹת — the whiteness whose shade (dull vs. bright) the next verse will assess.
39

וְרָאָ֣ה הַכֹּהֵ֗ן וְהִנֵּ֧ה בְעוֹר בְּשָׂרָ֛ם בֶּהָרֹ֖ת כֵּה֣וֹת לְבָנֹ֑ת בֹּ֥הַק ה֛וּא פָּרַ֥ח בָּע֖וֹר טָה֥וֹר הֽוּא

the priest shall examine them, and if the bright spots on the skin of their body are dull white, it is a harmless rash that has broken out on the skin; he is clean.

Verdict: dull-white spots are the harmless בֹּהַק, pronounced clean without quarantineוְ
בֹּהַק (a hapax legomenon, of uncertain etymology, conventionally 'tetter' or a vitiligo-like rash) is declared clean outright, without any waiting period — the one case in the whole chapter resolved instantly and positively, a deliberate check against over-diagnosis.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְרָאָ֣הand shall examineconj וְ + weqatal (Qal) 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb, apodosis (examination)→ Weqatal: consequential/future — the priest's diagnostic inspectionרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, examine'; the priest's inspection opening the verdict of this brief protocol.
הַכֹּהֵ֗ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְרָאָהכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; conducts the examination.
וְהִנֵּ֧הand beholdconj וְ + interjection · הִנֵּה (H2009)Attention-directing particle (introduces observed finding)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; presents the priest's observed finding; scaffold mistags the presentative particle as a noun, re-derived as x.
בְעוֹרon the skin ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phraseעוֹר (H5785) 'skin'; construct before בְּשָׂרָם, repeating the site-phrase 'on the skin of their body'.
בְּשָׂרָ֛םtheir bodyN m sg constr + 3mp suffix · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Genitival complement of עוֹר (construct chain)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, body'; 3mp suffix 'their body', the same phrase as v. 38.
בֶּהָרֹ֖תbright spotsN f pl abs · בַּהֶרֶת (H934)Subject (assessed for its shade of white)בַּהֶרֶת (H934) plural 'bright spots'; now examined to determine whether their white is dull (harmless) or bright (suspect).
כֵּה֣וֹתdulladj f pl abs · כֵּהֶה (H3544)Predicate adjective (modifying בֶּהָרֹת)כֵּהֶה (H3544) 'dull, dim, faint'; the decisive qualifier — the whiteness is faint, not the bright white of disease.
לְבָנֹ֑תwhiteadj f pl abs · לָבָן (H3836)Attributive adjective (with כֵּהוֹת, 'dull white')לָבָן (H3836) 'white'; paired with כֵּהוֹת — 'dull white', the harmless shade that triggers an immediate clean verdict.
בֹּ֥הַקa harmless rashN m sg abs · בֹּהַק (H933)Predicate nominative (verdict)בֹּהַק (H933), a hapax legomenon of uncertain meaning — conventionally 'tetter' or a benign vitiligo-like white rash (identification uncertain, flagged); the harmless verdict here.
ה֛וּאit (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copular pronoun (verbless clause)הוּא (H1931) 'he, it'; copula in the verbless clause 'it is בֹּהַק'.
פָּרַ֥חhas broken outQal perf 3ms · פָּרַח (H6524)Predicate verb (relative/circumstantial clause)→ Perfective: a completed event — the rash has eruptedפָּרַח (H6524) 'to bud, sprout, break out'; of a rash erupting on the skin — here a benign eruption, not the spreading of disease.
בָּע֖וֹרon the skinprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phraseעוֹר (H5785) 'skin'; the surface on which the harmless rash has appeared.
טָה֥וֹרcleanadj m sg abs · טָהוֹר (H2889)Predicate adjective (verdict)טָהוֹר (H2889) 'clean, pure'; the immediate clean verdict — no quarantine required, the one instantly-resolved positive case in the chapter.
הֽוּאhe (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copular pronoun (verbless verdict-clause)הוּא (H1931) 'he, it'; copula in the verdict-clause 'he is clean'.
40

וְאִ֕ישׁ כִּ֥י יִמָּרֵ֖ט רֹאשׁ֑וֹ קֵרֵ֥חַ ה֖וּא טָה֥וֹר הֽוּא

If a man's hair falls out from his head, he is bald; he is clean.

New sub-unit: ordinary baldness is cleanוְ
The seventh protocol (vv. 40-44) addresses baldness, again pronouncing an unadorned physical condition clean without examination or quarantine — hair loss itself carries no cultic significance.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וְאִ֕ישׁand a manconj וְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (casus pendens, fronted before כִּי)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; with prefixed וְ opens the baldness protocol's protasis.
כִּ֥יwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (introduces casuistic protasis)כִּי (H3588) conditional/temporal 'when, if'; opens the case-law protasis.
יִמָּרֵ֖טfalls outNiphal impf 3ms · מָרַט (H4803)Predicate verb (protasis)→ Yiqtol (Niphal passive): imperfective/modal — the hair is made to fall outמָרַט (H4803) 'to make bald, pluck out'; Niphal 'to be made bald, (hair) fall out' — ordinary loss of scalp hair.
רֹאשׁ֑וֹhis headN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Subject of יִמָּרֵט (the site of the loss)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; with 3ms suffix 'his head' — the scalp from which the hair falls, distinguished in v. 41 from the forehead side.
קֵרֵ֥חַbaldadj m sg abs · קֵרֵחַ (H7142)Predicate adjective (verdict term)קֵרֵחַ (H7142) 'bald (at the back/crown)', from קָרַח 'to be bald'; ordinary baldness of the crown (קָרַחַת), carrying no cultic stigma.
ה֖וּאhe (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copular pronoun (verbless clause)הוּא (H1931) 'he, it'; copula in the verbless clause 'he is bald'.
טָה֥וֹרcleanadj m sg abs · טָהוֹר (H2889)Predicate adjective (verdict)טָהוֹר (H2889) 'clean, pure'; baldness itself is clean — pronounced without examination or quarantine.
הֽוּאhe (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copular pronoun (verbless verdict-clause)הוּא (H1931) 'he, it'; copula in the verdict-clause 'he is clean'.
41

וְאִם֙ מִפְּאַ֣ת פָּנָ֔יו יִמָּרֵ֖ט רֹאשׁ֑וֹ גִּבֵּ֥חַ ה֖וּא טָה֥וֹר הֽוּא

And if his hair falls out from the front of his head, he is bald on the forehead; he is clean.

Parallel case: frontal baldness likewise cleanוְאִם
Distinguishes קָרֵחַ (baldness at the back/crown) from גִּבֵּחַ (frontal baldness) purely as anatomical vocabulary — both remain unconditionally clean, reinforcing that ordinary hair loss is never itself a cultic concern.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְאִם֙and ifconj וְ + conj אִם · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction (protasis marker)אִם (H518) 'if'; with prefixed וְ opens the parallel protasis for frontal (as opposed to crown) baldness.
מִפְּאַ֣תfrom the front ofprep מִן + N f sg constr · פֵּאָה (H6285)Prepositional phrase (source/location of the loss)פֵּאָה (H6285) 'edge, side, corner'; construct 'from the edge of his face' = the front/forehead side of the head.
פָּנָ֔יוhis faceN c pl constr + 3ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Genitival complement of פְּאַת (construct chain)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, front' (plural in form); 'edge of his face' = the forehead side, distinguishing frontal from crown baldness.
יִמָּרֵ֖טfalls outNiphal impf 3ms · מָרַט (H4803)Predicate verb (protasis)→ Yiqtol (Niphal passive): imperfective/modal — the hair is made to fall outמָרַט (H4803) Niphal 'to be made bald, (hair) fall out'; here from the front of the head, yielding גַּבַּחַת (forehead-baldness).
רֹאשׁ֑וֹhis headN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Subject of יִמָּרֵט (the site of the loss)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; with 3ms suffix 'his head' — here specifically the forehead side named by מִפְּאַת פָּנָיו.
גִּבֵּ֥חַbald on the foreheadN m sg abs · גִּבֵּחַ (H1371)Predicate nominative (verdict term)גִּבֵּחַ (H1371) 'forehead-bald, bald at the front', from גָּבַח; the counterpart to קֵרֵחַ (crown-bald) of v. 40 — likewise unconditionally clean.
ה֖וּאhe (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copular pronoun (verbless clause)הוּא (H1931) 'he, it'; copula in the verbless clause 'he is forehead-bald'.
טָה֥וֹרcleanAdj m sg abs · טָהוֹר (H2889)Predicate adjective (final verdict)טָהוֹר (H2889) 'clean, pure'; the ritual verdict word, fixed gloss 'clean' per chapter vocabulary.
הֽוּאhePron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copular subject pronoun (final clause)
42

וְכִֽי יִהְיֶ֤ה בַקָּרַ֨חַת֙ א֣וֹ בַגַּבַּ֔חַת נֶ֖גַע לָבָ֣ן אֲדַמְדָּ֑ם צָרַ֤עַת פֹּרַ֨חַת֙ הִ֔וא בְּקָרַחְתּ֖וֹ א֥וֹ בְגַבַּחְתּֽוֹ

But when there is on the bald head or the bald forehead a reddish-white mark, it is scale disease breaking out on his bald head or his bald forehead.

Distinguishes disease from the baldness itself when a colored mark appearsוְ
Only when a new reddish-white mark appears on top of the bald area does disease enter the picture — the baldness itself remains cultically neutral, but it does not immunize the scalp from developing genuine צָרַעַת.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְכִֽיand whenconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Conjunction introducing the conditional caseכִּי (H3588) 'when, if'; with the waw introduces the baldness-with-mark scenario as a conditional.
יִהְיֶ֤הthere isQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential 'there comes to be')→ Yiqtol: durative/potential — a circumstance that may ariseהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; existential, 'when there comes to be a mark on the bald area.'
בַקָּרַ֨חַת֙on the bald headprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · קָרַחַת (H7146)Locative prepositional phraseקָרַחַת (H7146) 'baldness of the crown/back of the head', from קָרַח 'be bald'; the bald scalp behind, distinguished from the forehead-baldness גַּבַּחַת.
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction (alternative site)אוֹ (H176) 'or'; offers the alternative bald location, crown or forehead.
בַגַּבַּ֔חַתon the bald foreheadprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · גַּבַּחַת (H1372)Locative prepositional phrase (alternative site)גַּבַּחַת (H1372) 'baldness of the forehead', from גִּבֵּחַ 'bald in front'; the receding hairline above the face, paired with קָרַחַת.
נֶ֖גַעa markN m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject of יִהְיֶהנֶגַע (H5061) 'mark, plague'; the suspicious lesion whose color triggers examination.
לָבָ֣ןwhiteadj m sg abs · לָבָן (H3836)Attributive adjective modifying נֶגַעלָבָן (H3836) 'white' (fixed vocab); with אֲדַמְדָּם a reddish-white coloration.
אֲדַמְדָּ֑םreddishadj m sg abs · אֲדַמְדָּם (H125)Attributive adjective (color refinement modifying נֶגַע)אֲדַמְדָּם (H125) 'reddish', reduplicated intensive from אָדֹם 'red'; with לָבָן a reddish-white mark.
צָרַ֤עַתscale diseaseN f sg abs · צָרַעַת (H6883)Predicate nominative (verdict)צָרַעַת (H6883) 'scale disease' (not leprosy); the verdict term — even the bald scalp can host genuine צָרַעַת.
פֹּרַ֨חַת֙breaking outQal active ptc f sg abs · פָּרַח (H6524)Attributive participle modifying צָרַעַת→ Imperfective/stative: an ongoing eruption — the disease actively spreadingפָּרַח (H6524) 'to break out, sprout, bud'; of the disease erupting on the scalp, as a plant buds.
הִ֔ואit (is)pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject/copular pronoun (verbless clause)הִוא (H1931), 3fs pronoun (archaic spelling הִוא); copula in the verbless verdict-clause.
בְּקָרַחְתּ֖וֹon his bald headprep בְּ + N f sg constr + 3ms suff · קָרַחַת (H7146)Locative prepositional phraseקָרַחַת (H7146) 'crown-baldness' with 3ms suffix; the specific bald site of this man's eruption.
א֥וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction (alternative site)אוֹ (H176) 'or'; the alternative bald site, his crown or his forehead.
בְגַבַּחְתּֽוֹon his bald foreheadprep בְּ + N f sg constr + 3ms suff · גַּבַּחַת (H1372)Locative prepositional phrase (alternative site)גַּבַּחַת (H1372) 'forehead-baldness' with 3ms suffix; the alternative bald site of the eruption.
43

וְרָאָ֨ה אֹת֜וֹ הַכֹּהֵ֗ן וְהִנֵּ֤ה שְׂאֵת הַנֶּ֨גַע֙ לְבָנָ֣ה אֲדַמְדֶּ֔מֶת בְּקָרַחְתּ֖וֹ א֣וֹ בְגַבַּחְתּ֑וֹ כְּמַרְאֵ֥ה צָרַ֖עַת ע֥וֹר בָּשָֽׂר

The priest shall examine him, and if the swelling of the mark is reddish-white on his bald head or his bald forehead, like the appearance of scale disease in the skin of the body,

Diagnostic comparison to the ordinary-skin standard of vv. 2-8וְ
כְּמַרְאֵה צָרַעַת עוֹר בָּשָׂר explicitly cross-references the first protocol's appearance, showing the priest applies the same visual standard even on bald scalp, where the earlier white-hair criterion cannot apply (there being no hair left to examine).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְרָאָ֨הand shall examineweqatal (Qal) 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb, apodosis (examination)→ Weqatal: apodosis — the priest's diagnostic inspection of the scalp-markרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, examine'; the priest's forensic examination, here of the bald-head lesion.
אֹת֜וֹhimobj marker · אֵת (H853) + 3ms suffixDirect object of וְרָאָהאֵת (H853) nota accusativi with 3ms suffix, marking the afflicted man as definite direct object.
הַכֹּהֵ֗ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְרָאָהכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; the diagnostic subject.
וְהִנֵּ֤הand beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (marks the priest's observation)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; signals the priest's direct visual assessment; the scaffold mistags as a noun, re-derived as x.
שְׂאֵתthe swelling ofN f sg constr · שְׂאֵת (H7613)Subject (construct with הַנֶּגַע)שְׂאֵת (H7613) 'swelling, rising', from נָשָׂא 'lift up'; a raised patch, one of the chapter's lesion-types (cf. v. 2).
הַנֶּ֨גַע֙the markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Genitival complement (construct chain שְׂאֵת הַנֶּגַע)נֶגַע (H5061) 'mark, plague'; the swelling belongs to the lesion under examination.
לְבָנָ֣הwhiteadj f sg abs · לָבָן (H3836)Predicate adjective (complement, agreeing with שְׂאֵת)לָבָן (H3836) 'white' (fixed vocab); with אֲדַמְדֶּמֶת a reddish-white swelling.
אֲדַמְדֶּ֔מֶתreddishadj f sg abs · אֲדַמְדָּם (H125)Predicate adjective (color refinement)אֲדַמְדָּם / אֲדַמְדֶּמֶת (H125) 'reddish', reduplicated intensive from אָדֹם 'red'; the reddish-white tint of the swelling.
בְּקָרַחְתּ֖וֹon his bald headprep בְּ + N f sg constr + 3ms suff · קָרַחַת (H7146)Locative prepositional phraseקָרַחַת (H7146) 'crown-baldness' with 3ms suffix; the site of the reddish-white swelling.
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction (alternative site)אוֹ (H176) 'or'; crown or forehead.
בְגַבַּחְתּ֑וֹon his bald foreheadprep בְּ + N f sg constr + 3ms suff · גַּבַּחַת (H1372)Locative prepositional phrase (alternative site)גַּבַּחַת (H1372) 'forehead-baldness' with 3ms suffix; the alternative site of the swelling.
כְּמַרְאֵ֥הlike the appearance ofprep כְּ + N m sg constr · מַרְאֶה (H4758)Comparative prepositional phrase (diagnostic standard)מַרְאֶה (H4758) 'appearance, sight', from רָאָה; the כְּ compares the scalp lesion to the known look of skin-disease (vv. 2-3).
צָרַ֖עַתscale diseaseN f sg constr · צָרַעַת (H6883)Genitive of the construct chain מַרְאֵה צָרַעַתצָרַעַת (H6883) 'scale disease' (not leprosy); the appearance being matched — 'like the look of scale-disease of the skin.'
ע֥וֹרthe skin ofN m sg constr · עוֹר (H5785)Genitival complement (construct chain צָרַעַת עוֹר בָּשָׂר)עוֹר (H5785) 'skin' (fixed vocab); part of the stock phrase 'skin of the body' invoking the first protocol.
בָּשָֽׂרthe bodyN m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Genitival complement (final member of the chain)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, body' (fixed vocab); completes 'the skin of the body', the baseline diagnostic surface.
44

אִישׁ צָר֥וּעַ ה֖וּא טָמֵ֣א ה֑וּא טַמֵּ֧א יְטַמְּאֶ֛נּוּ הַכֹּהֵ֖ן בְּרֹאשׁ֥וֹ נִגְעֽוֹ

he is a diseased man; he is unclean. The priest must surely declare him unclean; his mark is on his head.

Emphatic verdict closing the baldness sub-unitasyndeton
The infinitive absolute טַמֵּא יְטַמְּאֶנּוּ ('declaring unclean, he shall declare him unclean') is among the chapter's strongest verbal emphases, underscoring that baldness provided no loophole once genuine disease appeared.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
אִישׁa manN m sg constr · אִישׁ (H376)Predicate nominative (verdict) / subject of verbless clauseאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; construct in form but functioning absolutely here, 'a diseased man is he.'
צָר֥וּעַdiseasedQal passive ptc m sg abs · צָרַע (H6879)Attributive participle modifying אִישׁ→ Stative/resultant: the settled condition of being stricken with scale-diseaseצָרַע (H6879) 'to be struck with scale-disease'; passive ptc 'diseased, scale-marked', the confirmed sufferer.
ה֖וּאhe (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject/copular pronoun (verbless clause)הוּא (H1931), 3ms pronoun; copula in the verbless verdict 'a diseased man is he.'
טָמֵ֣אuncleanadj m sg abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjective (verbless clause)טָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean, impure'; the cultic status of the confirmed sufferer, 'unclean is he.'
ה֑וּאhe (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject/copular pronoun (verbless clause)הוּא (H1931), 3ms pronoun; copula in 'unclean is he.'
טַמֵּ֧אsurely declare uncleanPiel inf abs · טָמֵא (H2930)Infinitive absolute (intensifying the following finite verb)→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic — reinforces יְטַמְּאֶנּוּ, 'he shall surely declare him unclean'טָמֵא (H2930) 'to declare/pronounce unclean' (Piel, declarative); the inf abs before the finite verb yields emphasis.
יְטַמְּאֶ֛נּוּhe shall declare him uncleanPiel impf 3ms · טָמֵא (H2930) + 3ms suffixPredicate verb (main clause, with preceding inf abs)→ Yiqtol (Piel declarative): the priest's authoritative verdict pronouncing him uncleanטָמֵא (H2930) 'to declare unclean' (Piel, declarative-estimative) with 3ms object suffix; the priest's forensic pronouncement, not a making-unclean.
הַכֹּהֵ֖ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of יְטַמְּאֶנּוּכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; the authorized pronouncer of the verdict.
בְּרֹאשׁ֥וֹon his headprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suff · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Locative prepositional phrase (fronted)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head' with 3ms suffix; locates the mark — 'on his head is his mark', explaining why scalp-baldness is no exemption.
נִגְעֽוֹhis markN m sg constr + 3ms suff · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject of the verbless clauseנֶגַע (H5061) 'mark, plague' with 3ms suffix; 'his mark is on his head' — the disease located on the scalp.
45

וְהַצָּר֜וּעַ אֲשֶׁר בּ֣וֹ הַנֶּ֗גַע בְּגָדָ֞יו יִהְי֤וּ פְרֻמִים֙ וְרֹאשׁוֹ֙ יִהְיֶ֣ה פָר֔וּעַ וְעַל שָׂפָ֖ם יַעְטֶ֑ה וְטָמֵ֥א טָמֵ֖א יִקְרָֽא

The diseased person who has the mark, his clothes shall be torn, and his head shall be unbound, and he shall cover his upper lip, and he shall cry, 'Unclean, unclean.'

The mourning-like presentation and public self-announcement of the declared uncleanוְ
The torn clothes, loosened hair, and covered lip are mourning gestures elsewhere associated with death or disaster (cf. Lev 10:6; 21:10), casting the diagnosed sufferer as a kind of living mourner for himself; the repeated cry טָמֵא טָמֵא is the emphatic self-announcement protecting the community from accidental contact.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְהַצָּר֜וּעַand the diseased personconj וְ + art + Qal passive ptc m sg abs · צָרַע (H6879)Substantival participle (subject, fronted casus pendens)→ Stative/resultant: the settled condition of one stricken with scale-diseaseצָרַע (H6879) 'to be struck with scale-disease'; the articular passive ptc as a noun, 'the diseased one', subject of the following instructions.
אֲשֶׁרwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing a relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative 'who, which'; introduces 'who has the mark on him.'
בּ֣וֹon himprep בְּ + 3ms suffix · בְּPrepositional phrase (locus of the mark)בְּ 'in, on' with 3ms suffix; 'in/on whom is the mark.'
הַנֶּ֗גַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject of the relative clauseנֶגַע (H5061) 'mark, plague'; the confirmed lesion that defines the sufferer's status.
בְּגָדָ֞יוhis clothesN m pl constr + 3ms suff · בֶּגֶד (H899)Subject of יִהְיוּבֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment, clothing' with 3ms suffix; the torn garments are a mourning gesture (cf. Lev 10:6).
יִהְי֤וּshall beQal impf 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main-line instruction)→ Yiqtol: injunctive — a required ongoing state, 'his clothes shall be torn'הָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; here forms a periphrastic state with the passive ptc, 'shall be torn.'
פְרֻמִים֙tornQal passive ptc m pl abs · פָּרַם (H6533)Predicate participle (complement of יִהְיוּ)→ Stative/resultant: the garments in a rent conditionפָּרַם (H6533) 'to tear, rend (a garment)'; passive ptc 'torn', the mourning-gesture of ripped clothes.
וְרֹאשׁוֹ֙and his headconj וְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suff · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Subject of יִהְיֶה (fronted)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head' with 3ms suffix; the site of the loosed hair, another mourning sign.
יִהְיֶ֣הshall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main-line instruction)→ Yiqtol: injunctive — 'his head shall be unbound'הָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; periphrastic with the passive ptc, 'shall be disheveled.'
פָר֔וּעַunboundQal passive ptc m sg abs · פָּרַע (H6544)Predicate participle (complement of יִהְיֶה)→ Stative/resultant: the hair in a loosed, dishevelled conditionפָּרַע (H6544) 'to let loose, unbind (the hair)'; passive ptc 'dishevelled', the mourner's uncovered, loosened hair.
וְעַלand overconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (fronted, object of יַעְטֶה)עַל (H5921) 'on, over'; 'over his upper lip he shall put a covering.'
שָׂפָ֖םthe upper lipN m sg abs · שָׂפָם (H8222)Object of the preposition עַלשָׂפָם (H8222) 'moustache, upper lip'; covering it is a mourning gesture (cf. Ezek 24:17, 22; Mic 3:7).
יַעְטֶ֑הhe shall coverQal impf 3ms · עָטָה (H5844)Predicate verb (main-line instruction)→ Yiqtol: injunctive — 'he shall cover (his upper lip)'עָטָה (H5844) 'to cover, wrap, veil'; the sufferer muffles his moustache/mouth as a sign of mourning and shame.
וְטָמֵ֥אand 'Unclean'conj וְ + adj m sg abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Direct discourse — the cry's first word (object of יִקְרָא)טָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean'; the self-announced cry, repeated for urgency, warning others to keep away.
טָמֵ֖א'Unclean'adj m sg abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Direct discourse — the cry repeatedטָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean'; the doubled cry underscores the constant public warning.
יִקְרָֽאhe shall cryQal impf 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (main-line instruction)→ Yiqtol: injunctive/habitual — he must continually call outקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, cry out, proclaim'; the required self-announcement 'Unclean, unclean!' protecting the community.
46

כָּל יְמֵ֞י אֲשֶׁ֨ר הַנֶּ֥גַע בּ֛וֹ יִטְמָ֖א טָמֵ֣א ה֑וּא בָּדָ֣ד יֵשֵׁ֔ב מִח֥וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה מוֹשָׁבֽוֹ

All the days that the mark is in him he shall remain unclean; he is unclean. He shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.

Duration and location of the sufferer's exclusion, closes vv. 45-46asyndeton
בָּדָד יֵשֵׁב 'he shall dwell alone' and the placement outside the camp mark the practical, social consequence of the diagnosis: the disease is not merely an individual malady but a threat to the camp's cultic order, requiring physical removal for its duration.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head ('all the days'), adverbial accusative of durationכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; in construct with יְמֵי forming the durational phrase 'all the days that…'.
יְמֵ֞יthe days thatN m pl constr · יוֹם (H3117)Genitival complement of כָּל (construct chain), adverbial of durationיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; m pl construct 'the days of', here 'all the days that the mark is on him' — the entire duration of the infection.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces relative clause modifying יְמֵי)
הַנֶּ֥גַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject of the relative clause (אֲשֶׁר … בּוֹ)נֶגַע (H5061) 'mark, plague, stroke'; the confirmed lesion whose presence defines the sufferer's unclean status.
בּ֛וֹon himprep בְּ + 3ms suffix · בְּPrepositional phrase (locus of the mark within the relative clause)בְּ 'in, on' with 3ms suffix; 'on/in whom the mark is', locating the lesion on the sufferer's person.
יִטְמָ֖אhe shall be uncleanQal impf 3ms · טָמֵא (H2930)Predicate verb (apodosis: durative state of the excluded sufferer)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — an ongoing, enduring state of uncleanness throughout the infectionטָמֵא (H2930) 'to be/become unclean'; Qal here stative-durative 'he remains unclean' for the whole duration the mark persists.
טָמֵ֣אuncleanadj m sg abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjective (verdict clause 'unclean is he')טָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean, defiled'; the emphatic verdict-word restating the diagnosis, 'unclean he is'.
ה֑וּאhePron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copular subject pronoun (verdict clause 'unclean is he')הוּא (H1931) independent 3ms pronoun; here the copular subject of the nominal verdict clause טָמֵא הוּא, 'unclean he is'.
בָּדָ֣דaloneN m sg abs · בָּדָד (H910)Adverbial accusative of manner (with יֵשֵׁב)בָּדָד (H910) 'isolation, alone', from בָּדַד 'to be separate'; adverbial 'in isolation' — the sufferer dwells apart from the community.
יֵשֵׁ֔בhe shall dwellQal impf 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (main-line instruction)→ Yiqtol: injunctive — the required ongoing manner of life, 'he shall dwell (alone)'יָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, remain'; here of settled residence, 'he shall dwell in isolation' for the duration of the disease.
מִח֥וּץoutsideprep מִן + N m sg abs · חוּץ (H2351)Locative prepositional phrase (construct with לַמַּחֲנֶה)חוּץ (H2351) 'outside, street'; with מִן forming מִחוּץ 'outside of' — the sufferer's place is beyond the camp's boundary.
לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖הthe campprep לְ + art + N (c) sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Object of the preposition (מִחוּץ לַמַּחֲנֶה, 'outside the camp')מַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp, encampment', from חָנָה 'to encamp'; the ordered Israelite camp, the domain of purity from which the unclean is excluded.
מוֹשָׁבֽוֹhis dwellingN m sg constr + 3ms suff · מוֹשָׁב (H4186)Subject (predicate of location: 'his dwelling shall be outside the camp')מוֹשָׁב (H4186) 'seat, dwelling, habitation', from יָשַׁב 'to sit/dwell'; with 3ms suffix 'his dwelling' — the isolated residence of the excluded person.
47

וְהַבֶּ֕גֶד כִּֽי יִהְיֶ֥ה ב֖וֹ נֶ֣גַע צָרָ֑עַת בְּבֶ֣גֶד צֶ֔מֶר א֖וֹ בְּבֶ֥גֶד פִּשְׁתִּֽים

When there is a mark of scale disease in a garment, whether a woolen garment or a linen garment,

New major section: fabric protocols openוְ
The chapter's most striking extension: צָרַעַת is not confined to human skin but can afflict cloth — wool or linen — signaling that the term denotes a category of visible, spreading, corrupting discoloration rather than a specific human pathology.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְהַבֶּ֕גֶדand the garmentconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · בֶּגֶד (H899)Subject (casus pendens, fronted before כִּי)בֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment, clothing'; fronted as the topic of the new fabric case — 'as for the garment, when there is in it a mark…'.
כִּֽיwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional/temporal conjunction (introduces protasis)כִּי (H3588) here conditional 'when, if'.
יִהְיֶ֥הthere isQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — hypothetical occurrence
ב֖וֹin itprep בְּ + 3ms sfLocative complement (resumes וְהַבֶּגֶד)
נֶ֣גַעa mark ofN m sg constr · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject of יִהְיֶה (construct chain head)
צָרָ֑עַתscale diseaseN f sg abs · צָרַעַת (H6883)Genitival complement (construct chain with נֶגַע)צָרַעַת (H6883) 'scale disease'; in the fabric section the same term denotes a spreading mold/mildew discoloration in cloth — not human disease, confirming its breadth as a category of corrupting blight.
בְּבֶ֣גֶדin a garment ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · בֶּגֶד (H899)Locative prepositional phrase (construct head, 'in a garment of wool')בֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment'; construct before צֶמֶר, specifying a woolen garment as one afflicted category.
צֶ֔מֶרwoolN m sg abs · צֶמֶר (H6785)Genitival complement of בֶּגֶד (construct chain, material)צֶמֶר (H6785) 'wool'; the animal-fiber material of one class of garment liable to the fabric-mark, paired with linen (פִּשְׁתִּים).
א֖וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction
בְּבֶ֥גֶדin a garment ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · בֶּגֶד (H899)Locative prepositional phrase (construct head, 'in a garment of linen')בֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment'; construct before פִּשְׁתִּים, specifying a linen garment as the second afflicted category.
פִּשְׁתִּֽיםlinenN m pl abs · פִּשְׁתִּים (H6593)Genitival complement of בֶּגֶד (construct chain, material)פִּשְׁתִּים (H6593) 'flax, linen'; the plant-fiber material of the second class of garment, paired with wool as the two staple textiles.
48

א֤וֹ בִֽשְׁתִי֙ א֣וֹ בְעֵ֔רֶב לַפִּשְׁתִּ֖ים וְלַצָּ֑מֶר א֣וֹ בְע֔וֹר א֖וֹ בְּכָל מְלֶ֥אכֶת עֽוֹר

or in warp or woof of linen or wool, or in a skin or in anything made of skin,

Continuation of the protasis: extends to woven threads and leatherasyndeton
שְׁתִי and עֵרֶב, 'warp' and 'woof/weft', are technical weaving terms found almost nowhere else in the Hebrew Bible outside this section — evidence of a genuinely detailed textile-inspection vocabulary.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
א֤וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction (opens new alternative)
בִֽשְׁתִי֙in warpprep בְּ + N m sg abs · שְׁתִי (H8359)Locative prepositional phraseשְׁתִי (H8359) 'warp', the lengthwise threads fixed on a loom; rare technical weaving term found almost only in this section.
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction
בְעֵ֔רֶבin woofprep בְּ + N m sg abs · עֵרֶב (H6154)Locative prepositional phrase (second disjunct)עֵרֶב (H6154) 'woof, weft', the crosswise threads woven through the warp; likewise a rare technical weaving term.
לַפִּשְׁתִּ֖יםof linenprep לְ + art + N m pl abs · פִּשְׁתִּים (H6593)Adnominal complement (material specification of warp/woof)
וְלַצָּ֑מֶרor of woolconj וְ + prep לְ + art + N m sg abs · צֶמֶר (H6785)Adnominal complement (material specification of warp/woof)צֶמֶר (H6785) 'wool'; with לְ 'belonging to, of' — the woven threads may be of linen or of wool, matching the garment materials of v. 47.
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction (introduces leather category)
בְע֔וֹרin a skinprep בְּ + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phrase
א֖וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction
בְּכָלin anyprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Locative prepositional phrase (construct head)
מְלֶ֥אכֶתarticle made ofN f sg constr · מְלָאכָה (H4399)Genitive (construct chain with כָל)מְלָאכָה (H4399) 'work, product, article'; here 'anything made of skin' — any manufactured leather item.
עֽוֹרskinN m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Genitive (construct chain: 'article of skin')
49

וְהָיָ֨ה הַנֶּ֜גַע יְרַקְרַ֣ק א֣וֹ אֲדַמְדָּ֗ם בַּבֶּגֶד֩ א֨וֹ בָע֜וֹר אֽוֹ בַשְּׁתִ֤י אוֹ בָעֵ֨רֶב֙ א֣וֹ בְכָל כְּלִי ע֔וֹר נֶ֥גַע צָרַ֖עַת ה֑וּא וְהָרְאָ֖ה אֶת הַכֹּהֵֽן

if the mark is greenish or reddish in the garment or the skin or the warp or the woof or in any article of skin, it is a mark of scale disease, and it shall be shown to the priest.

Diagnostic colors for fabric: greenish or reddishוְ
יְרַקְרַק 'greenish' (mold-like discoloration) replaces the white that dominated the skin protocols — a reminder that צָרַעַת's surface signs are context-dependent (skin: white/reddish; fabric: greenish/reddish), likely because the underlying phenomena (skin condition vs. mold/mildew) are genuinely different, even though covered by the same legal category.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וְהָיָ֨הif it isconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (weqatal, protasis condition)→ Weqatal: continuing conditional/future — introduces the case
הַנֶּ֜גַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject of וְהָיָה
יְרַקְרַ֣קgreenishAdj m sg abs · יְרַקְרַק (H3422)Predicate adjectiveיְרַקְרַק (H3422) reduplicated form of יָרֹק 'green', denoting a dulled/greenish shade — the mold/mildew-like discoloration diagnostic for fabric and leather (contrast white/reddish on skin).
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction
אֲדַמְדָּ֗םreddishAdj m sg abs · אֲדַמְדָּם (H125)Predicate adjective (second alternative)
בַּבֶּגֶד֩in the garmentprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · בֶּגֶד (H899)Locative prepositional phrase
א֨וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction
בָע֜וֹרin the skinprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phrase (second disjunct)
אֽוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; links the leather among the alternative sites where the mark may appear.
בַשְּׁתִ֤יin the warpprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · שְׁתִי (H8359)Locative prepositional phrase (third disjunct)
אוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction
בָעֵ֨רֶב֙in the woofprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עֵרֶב (H6154)Locative prepositional phrase (fourth disjunct)
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction
בְכָלin anyprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Locative prepositional phrase (construct head, fifth disjunct)
כְּלִיarticle ofN m sg constr · כְּלִי (H3627)Genitive (construct chain with כָל)כְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, article, implement'; here 'any article of skin', a leather object of any kind.
ע֔וֹרskinN m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Genitive (construct chain: 'article of skin')
נֶ֥גַעa mark ofN m sg constr · נֶגַע (H5061)Predicate nominative (construct chain head)
צָרַ֖עַתscale diseaseN f sg abs · צָרַעַת (H6883)Genitive (construct chain: 'mark of scale disease')
ה֑וּאitPron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copular subject pronoun (verdict clause)
וְהָרְאָ֖הand it shall be shownconj וְ + Hophal perf 3ms (weqatal) · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (weqatal, passive instruction)→ Weqatal/Hophal: passive, continuing instruction — the required next stepרָאָה (H7200) Hophal 'to be shown, made to be seen'; passive counterpart of the priest's diagnostic רָאָה, here requiring the item be brought for inspection.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of implied showing)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi; untranslated in English.
הַכֹּהֵֽןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Direct object (recipient of showing)
50

וְרָאָ֥ה הַכֹּהֵ֖ן אֶת הַנָּ֑גַע וְהִסְגִּ֥יר אֶת הַנֶּ֖גַע שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים

The priest shall examine the mark and shut up the mark for seven days.

Same seven-day quarantine mechanism applied to fabricוְ
The chapter reuses its human-skin quarantine device wholesale for textiles, underscoring that צָרַעַת is treated as a single legal-cultic category regardless of the substrate it appears in.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְרָאָ֥הand shall examineconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing instruction)→ Weqatal: continuing modal/future instruction — the priest's ongoing dutyרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, examine, inspect'; the priest's technical diagnostic action throughout the chapter.
הַכֹּהֵ֖ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְרָאָהכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; fixed gloss 'priest' — the sole authorized diagnostician throughout the chapter.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi; untranslated in English.
הַנָּ֑גַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Direct object of וְרָאָה
וְהִסְגִּ֥ירand shall shut upconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms (weqatal) · סָגַר (H5462)Predicate verb (weqatal, second instruction)→ Weqatal/Hiphil: continuing modal/future — the priest's active confinement of the itemסָגַר (H5462) Hiphil 'to shut up, confine, quarantine'; fixed gloss 'shut up' — the chapter's technical quarantine procedure.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
הַנֶּ֖גַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Direct object of וְהִסְגִּיר
שִׁבְעַ֥תsevenNumeral m sg constr · שִׁבְעָה (H7651)Adverbial accusative (duration, construct head)שִׁבְעָה (H7651) 'seven'; construct before יָמִים, forming the chapter's recurring seven-day quarantine period.
יָמִֽיםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive (construct chain: 'seven of days' = 'seven days')
51

וְרָאָ֨ה אֶת הַנֶּ֜גַע בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י כִּֽי פָשָׂ֤ה הַנֶּ֨גַע֙ בַּ֠בֶּגֶד אֽוֹ בַשְּׁתִ֤י אֽוֹ בָעֵ֨רֶב֙ א֣וֹ בָע֔וֹר לְכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר יֵעָשֶׂ֥ה הָע֖וֹר לִמְלָאכָ֑ה צָרַ֧עַת מַמְאֶ֛רֶת הַנֶּ֖גַע טָמֵ֥א הֽוּא

He shall examine the mark on the seventh day: if the mark has spread in the garment, in the warp or the woof, or in the skin, whatever the skin is used for, it is a malignant scale disease; the mark is unclean.

Confirmed spread yields the strongest verdict: malignant diseaseוְ
צָרַעַת מַמְאֶרֶת 'malignant/virulent scale disease' (root מאר, of disputed meaning, perhaps 'painful' or 'corrosive') is unique to the fabric section — the strongest diagnostic label in the chapter, reserved for textile infestation that has proven itself by spreading.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
וְרָאָ֨הand he shall examineconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing instruction)→ Weqatal: continuing modal/future — the priest's second-inspection dutyרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, examine, inspect'; the priest's technical diagnostic act, here at the end of the seven-day confinement.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi; untranslated in English.
הַנֶּ֜גַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Direct object of וְרָאָה
בַּיּ֣וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with the ordinal 'seventh', the fixed terminus of the quarantine period.
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗יthe seventhart + ordinal m sg abs · שְׁבִיעִי (H7637)Attributive ordinal (modifies יוֹם)שְׁבִיעִי (H7637) 'seventh'; the day on which the confined item is re-examined, echoing the skin protocols' seven-day rhythm.
כִּֽיifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional conjunction (introduces protasis)כִּי (H3588) here conditional 'if', framing the confirmed-spread diagnosis.
פָשָׂ֤הhas spreadQal perf 3ms · פָּשָׂה (H6581)Predicate verb (protasis: confirmed spread)→ Perfective: a completed, verified spreading — the decisive diagnostic signפָּשָׂה (H6581) 'to spread, extend'; the chapter's technical verb for a mark's expansion, here proving the infestation active and malignant.
הַנֶּ֨גַע֙the markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject of פָשָׂה
בַּ֠בֶּגֶדin the garmentprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · בֶּגֶד (H899)Locative prepositional phrase
אֽוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction
בַשְּׁתִ֤יin the warpprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · שְׁתִי (H8359)Locative prepositional phrase (second disjunct)
אֽוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction
בָעֵ֨רֶב֙in the woofprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עֵרֶב (H6154)Locative prepositional phrase (third disjunct)
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction (introduces leather category)
בָע֔וֹרin the leatherprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Locative prepositional phrase (fourth disjunct)עוֹר (H5785) 'skin, hide'; in the fabric section 'leather', a tanned-hide substrate liable to the same corrupting mark.
לְכֹ֛לfor anyprep לְ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase (specifying use, 'for any purpose')כֹּל (H3605) 'all, any'; with לְ 'for any (use)' — the leather is covered whatever it is fashioned into.
אֲשֶׁרfor whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle (introduces relative clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative 'which, that'; here 'for whatever (use) the leather is put to'.
יֵעָשֶׂ֥הis usedNiphal impf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (relative clause, passive)→ Yiqtol/Niphal: imperfective passive — 'whatever the leather is made into'עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; Niphal 'be made, be used', here of the leather being fashioned into any article.
הָע֖וֹרthe leatherart + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Subject of יֵעָשֶׂה (relative clause)
לִמְלָאכָ֑הfor workprep לְ + N f sg abs · מְלָאכָה (H4399)Prepositional phrase (purpose: 'into an article of use')מְלָאכָה (H4399) 'work, product, article'; with לְ 'for use/as a made thing' — any manufactured leather item.
צָרַ֧עַתscale diseaseN f sg abs · צָרַעַת (H6883)Predicate nominative (verdict: 'it is scale disease')
מַמְאֶ֛רֶתmalignantHiphil ptc f sg abs · מָאַר (H3992)Attributive participle (modifies צָרַעַת)→ Participial: an ongoing, active corrupting quality — a persistent, spreading infestationמָאַר (H3992) 'to be sharp/malignant, prick'; Hiphil ptc 'festering, virulent'; qualifies the disease as the aggressive, spreading kind that warrants burning (unique to the fabric section).
הַנֶּ֖גַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject (of the verdict clause: 'the mark is unclean')
טָמֵ֥אuncleanAdj m sg abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjective (verdict)טָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean, impure'; the cultic verdict — the marked item is ritually defiled and must be destroyed.
הֽוּאitPron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copular subject pronoun (verdict clause)
52

וְשָׂרַ֨ף אֶת הַבֶּ֜גֶד א֥וֹ אֶֽת הַשְּׁתִ֣י א֣וֹ אֶת הָעֵ֗רֶב בַּצֶּ֨מֶר֙ א֣וֹ בַפִּשְׁתִּ֔ים א֚וֹ אֶת כָּל כְּלִ֣י הָע֔וֹר אֲשֶׁר יִהְיֶ֥ה ב֖וֹ הַנָּ֑גַע כִּֽי צָרַ֤עַת מַמְאֶ֨רֶת֙ הִ֔וא בָּאֵ֖שׁ תִּשָּׂרֵֽף

He shall burn the garment, or the warp or the woof, whether wool or linen, or anything made of skin in which the mark occurs; for it is a malignant scale disease; it shall be burned with fire.

Verdict-mandated destruction, unlike human sufferers, only fire, no quarantine-for-lifeוְ
Unlike the human protocols, which end in prolonged (even lifelong) exclusion, confirmed fabric disease is simply destroyed by fire — objects have no ongoing cultic standing to preserve, so the remedy is total removal rather than isolation.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
וְשָׂרַ֨ףand he shall burnconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · שָׂרַף (H8313)Predicate verb (weqatal, mandated action)→ Weqatal: continuing modal/future instruction — the required destructionשָׂרַף (H8313) 'to burn'; the total-destruction remedy for confirmed fabric disease, replacing the human protocols' quarantine.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi; untranslated in English.
הַבֶּ֜גֶדthe garmentart + N m sg abs · בֶּגֶד (H899)Direct object of וְשָׂרַף
א֥וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi; untranslated in English.
הַשְּׁתִ֣יthe warpart + N m sg abs · שְׁתִי (H8359)Direct object (second disjunct)
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi; untranslated in English.
הָעֵ֗רֶבthe woofart + N m sg abs · עֵרֶב (H6154)Direct object (third disjunct)
בַּצֶּ֨מֶר֙of woolprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · צֶמֶר (H6785)Adnominal complement (material of warp/woof)צֶמֶר (H6785) 'wool'; here with בְּ specifying the woven threads' material — wool or linen, matching v. 47.
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction
בַפִּשְׁתִּ֔יםof linenprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · פִּשְׁתִּים (H6593)Adnominal complement (material of warp/woof)פִּשְׁתִּים (H6593) 'flax, linen'; the plant-fiber alternative to wool for the woven threads.
א֚וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction (introduces leather category)
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi; untranslated in English.
כָּלanyN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (construct head, 'any article of')כֹּל (H3605) 'all, any'; construct before כְּלִי — 'any leather article' in which the mark is found.
כְּלִ֣יarticle ofN m sg constr · כְּלִי (H3627)Genitive (construct chain with כָּל)כְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, article, implement'; construct before עוֹר — 'a leather article' of any kind.
הָע֔וֹרthe leatherart + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Genitive (construct chain: 'article of leather')
אֲשֶׁרin whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle (introduces relative clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative 'which, that'; here 'in which the mark is', qualifying the item to be burned.
יִהְיֶ֥הthere isQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential, relative clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — 'in which the mark occurs/is present'הָיָה (H1961) 'to be, exist'; here existential 'be present', of the mark's location in the item.
ב֖וֹin itprep בְּ + 3ms sfLocative complement (resumes the relative 'which')
הַנָּ֑גַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject of יִהְיֶה (relative clause)
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (grounds the command)כִּי (H3588) here causal 'for, because', giving the reason for burning.
צָרַ֤עַתscale diseaseN f sg abs · צָרַעַת (H6883)Predicate nominative (causal clause: 'it is scale disease')
מַמְאֶ֨רֶת֙malignantHiphil ptc f sg abs · מָאַר (H3992)Attributive participle (modifies צָרַעַת)→ Participial: an ongoing, active corrupting quality — a persistent, spreading infestationמָאַר (H3992) 'to be sharp/malignant, prick'; Hiphil ptc 'festering, virulent'; the diagnosis that mandates destruction by fire.
הִ֔ואitPron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Copular subject pronoun (agrees with f. צָרַעַת)
בָּאֵ֖שׁwith fireprep בְּ + art + N (c) sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Instrumental prepositional phrase (means of destruction, fronted)אֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; the instrument of total destruction — fronted for emphasis before the passive verb.
תִּשָּׂרֵֽףit shall be burnedNiphal impf 3fs · שָׂרַף (H8313)Predicate verb (passive command, agrees with f. צָרַעַת)→ Yiqtol/Niphal: modal passive — the mandated, obligatory destruction by fireשָׂרַף (H8313) 'to burn'; Niphal 'be burned', the closing verdict — the infested item must be consumed by fire.
53

וְאִם֮ יִרְאֶ֣ה הַכֹּהֵן֒ וְהִנֵּה֙ לֹא פָשָׂ֣ה הַנֶּ֔גַע בַּבֶּ֕גֶד א֥וֹ בַשְּׁתִ֖י א֣וֹ בָעֵ֑רֶב א֖וֹ בְּכָל כְּלִי עֽוֹר

But if the priest examines it and the mark has not spread in the garment, in the warp or the woof, or in anything made of skin,

No-spread case reopens the possibility of a lesser remedyוְאִם
As with the human protocols, absence of spread does not immediately mean 'clean' but shifts to an intermediate remedy — washing — before a final determination, paralleling the graduated logic used throughout the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְאִם֮but ifconj וְ + conditional particle · אִם (H518)Conjunction + conditional particle (introduces protasis)אִם (H518) 'if'; with prefixed וְ it introduces the alternative, no-spread case, opening the graded protasis of the fabric protocol.
יִרְאֶ֣הexaminesQal impf 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (protasis)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — the priest's inspection at the end of the confinementרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, examine, inspect'; the priest's technical diagnostic act, here reopening the case after the first quarantine.
הַכֹּהֵן֒the priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of יִרְאֶהכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; fixed gloss 'priest' — the sole authorized diagnostician throughout the chapter.
וְהִנֵּה֙and beholdconj וְ + presentative · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (introduces the observed result)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; with וְ it frames the priest's finding, presenting the state of the mark to view.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (negates פָשָׂה)לֹא (H3808) 'not'; the objective negative — here the mark has failed to spread, the sign that shifts to a milder remedy.
פָשָׂ֣הhas spreadQal perf 3ms · פָּשָׂה (H6581)Predicate verb (protasis: negated spread)→ Perfective: a completed (here negated) spreading — the mark has not extendedפָּשָׂה (H6581) 'to spread, extend'; the chapter's technical verb for a mark's expansion, here negated — the infestation has not advanced during confinement.
הַנֶּ֔גַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject of פָשָׂה
בַּבֶּ֕גֶדin the garmentprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · בֶּגֶד (H899)Locative prepositional phrase
א֥וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction
בַשְּׁתִ֖יin the warpprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · שְׁתִי (H8359)Locative prepositional phrase (second disjunct)
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction
בָעֵ֑רֶבin the woofprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עֵרֶב (H6154)Locative prepositional phrase (third disjunct)
א֖וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction (introduces leather category)
בְּכָלin anyprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase (construct head, 'in any article of')כֹּל (H3605) 'all, any'; construct before כְּלִי — 'in any leather article', extending the no-spread test to leather goods.
כְּלִיarticle ofN m sg constr · כְּלִי (H3627)Genitive (construct chain with כֹּל)כְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, article, implement'; construct before עוֹר — 'a leather article' of any kind.
עֽוֹרleatherN m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Genitive (construct chain: 'article of leather')עוֹר (H5785) 'skin, hide'; in the fabric section 'leather', the tanned-hide substrate liable to the same corrupting mark.
54

וְצִוָּה֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וְכִ֨בְּס֔וּ אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר בּ֖וֹ הַנָּ֑גַע וְהִסְגִּיר֥וֹ שִׁבְעַת יָמִ֖ים שֵׁנִֽית

the priest shall command that they wash the article that has the mark, and he shall shut it up seven more days.

Priest commands washing, then a further quarantine periodוְ
The priest's role for fabric shifts slightly: rather than personally performing an action, he issues a command (וְצִוָּה) for the washing to be carried out, then re-imposes the familiar seven-day observation window.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְצִוָּה֙and shall commandconj וְ + Piel perf 3ms (weqatal) · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb (weqatal, apodosis instruction)→ Weqatal/Piel: consequent modal instruction — the priest issues an order rather than acting himselfצָוָה (H6680) Piel 'to command, charge, order'; for fabric the priest's role shifts to directing others to perform the washing.
הַכֹּהֵ֔ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְצִוָּהכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; fixed gloss 'priest' — the sole authorized diagnostician throughout the chapter.
וְכִ֨בְּס֔וּand they shall washconj וְ + Piel perf 3cp (weqatal) · כָּבַס (H3526)Predicate verb (weqatal, content of the command)→ Weqatal/Piel: consequent instruction — the impersonal 'they' carry out the laundering the priest orderedכָּבַס (H3526) Piel 'to wash (fabric) by treading/kneading'; the intermediate remedy — an attempt to cleanse the marked textile before final verdict.
אֵ֥ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (before relative clause)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi; here marking the following relative clause ('that which has the mark') as the definite object of washing.
אֲשֶׁרthat whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle (heads the object clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative 'which, that'; here substantival, 'that on which the mark is' — the item to be washed.
בּ֖וֹin itprep בְּ + 3ms sfLocative complement (resumes the relative 'which')
הַנָּ֑גַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject of the relative clause ('on which the mark is')
וְהִסְגִּיר֥וֹand he shall shut it upconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms (weqatal) + 3ms sf · סָגַר (H5462)Predicate verb (weqatal, second instruction)→ Weqatal/Hiphil: continuing modal/future — the priest re-confines the washed item for further observationסָגַר (H5462) Hiphil 'to shut up, confine, quarantine'; with 3ms suffix 'shut it up' — a renewed seven-day watch after washing.
שִׁבְעַתsevenNumeral m sg constr · שִׁבְעָה (H7651)Adverbial accusative (duration, construct head)שִׁבְעָה (H7651) 'seven'; construct before יָמִים, the chapter's recurring seven-day quarantine period, here imposed a second time.
יָמִ֖יםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive (construct chain: 'seven of days' = 'seven days')
שֵׁנִֽיתa second timeordinal f sg abs · שֵׁנִי (H8145)Adverbial accusative ('a second time')שֵׁנִי (H8145) 'second'; here adverbial 'a second time', marking the renewed seven-day confinement after washing.
55

וְרָאָ֨ה הַכֹּהֵ֜ן אַחֲרֵ֣י הֻכַּבֵּ֣ס אֶת הַנֶּ֗גַע וְ֠הִנֵּה לֹֽא הָפַ֨ךְ הַנֶּ֤גַע אֶת עֵינוֹ֙ וְהַנֶּ֣גַע לֹֽא פָשָׂ֔ה טָמֵ֣א ה֔וּא בָּאֵ֖שׁ תִּשְׂרְפֶ֑נּוּ פְּחֶ֣תֶת הִ֔וא בְּקָרַחְתּ֖וֹ א֥וֹ בְגַבַּחְתּֽוֹ

The priest shall examine it after it has been washed, and if the mark has not changed its appearance and has not spread, it is unclean; you shall burn it in the fire; it is a fret, whether on the back or the front.

Post-washing re-examination: unchanged mark condemned outrightוְ
פְּחֶתֶת ('fret, corrosion', root פחת 'to diminish/sink in') is another rare technical term for the textile equivalent of an eaten-in mark; washing that fails to lighten it proves the discoloration is set into the fabric's structure, not surface dirt.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וְרָאָ֨הand shall examineconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing instruction)→ Weqatal: continuing modal/future — the priest's post-washing inspectionרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, examine, inspect'; the priest's technical diagnostic act, here assessing the mark after laundering.
הַכֹּהֵ֜ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְרָאָהכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; fixed gloss 'priest' — the sole authorized diagnostician throughout the chapter.
אַחֲרֵ֣יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Temporal preposition (governs the infinitive)אַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; here temporal, 'after the washing', governing the following passive infinitive.
הֻכַּבֵּ֣סit has been washedHothpael inf constr (rare passive) · כָּבַס (H3526)Infinitive construct (complement of אַחֲרֵי, 'after the washing')→ Infinitival passive: the completed laundering as a point of reference — 'after it has been washed'כָּבַס (H3526) 'to wash (fabric)'; הֻכַּבֵּס is a rare passive (Hothpael/reflexive-passive) infinitive, unique in the Hebrew Bible, 'to be washed' — the accomplished cleansing whose effect the priest now tests.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of the infinitive)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks הַנֶּגַע as the definite object of the washing ('after the mark has been washed').
הַנֶּ֗גַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Object of the infinitive הֻכַּבֵּס ('the mark has been washed')
וְ֠הִנֵּהand beholdconj וְ + presentative · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (introduces the observed result)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; with וְ it presents the priest's post-washing finding to view.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (negates הָפַךְ)לֹא (H3808) 'not'; the objective negative — the mark has failed to change color, the decisive sign that condemns the fabric.
הָפַ֨ךְhas changedQal perf 3ms · הָפַךְ (H2015)Predicate verb (protasis: negated change)→ Perfective: a completed (here negated) turning — the mark has not altered its hueהָפַךְ (H2015) 'to turn, overturn, change'; here of a color-change — with אֶת עֵינוֹ, 'has not turned/changed its appearance', the sign that the discoloration is fixed in the fabric.
הַנֶּ֤גַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject of הָפַךְ
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of הָפַךְ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks עֵינוֹ ('its appearance') as the definite object of the verb 'turn/change'.
עֵינוֹ֙its appearanceN (c) sg constr + 3ms sf · עַיִן (H5869)Direct object of הָפַךְ ('has not changed its appearance')עַיִן (H5869) 'eye', here idiomatically 'color, appearance, surface-look'; with 3ms suffix 'its color' — the fabric's hue, whose failure to shift after washing proves the mark is set in.
וְהַנֶּ֣גַעand the markconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject of the second negated clause (פָשָׂה)
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (negates פָשָׂה)לֹא (H3808) 'not'; the mark has neither changed color nor spread — yet, paradoxically, both negatives here yield an unclean verdict, since an ineradicable stain proves a fret.
פָשָׂ֔הhas spreadQal perf 3ms · פָּשָׂה (H6581)Predicate verb (second negated protasis clause)→ Perfective: a completed (here negated) spreading — the mark has not extended after washingפָּשָׂה (H6581) 'to spread, extend'; the chapter's technical verb for a mark's expansion, again negated — but here even a static, unfaded stain condemns the fabric.
טָמֵ֣אuncleanAdj m sg abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjective (verdict: 'it is unclean')טָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean, impure'; the cultic verdict — the marked item is ritually defiled and must be destroyed by fire.
ה֔וּאitPron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copular subject pronoun (verdict clause)
בָּאֵ֖שׁin the fireprep בְּ + art + N (c) sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Instrumental prepositional phrase (means of destruction, fronted)אֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; the instrument of total destruction — fronted for emphasis before the command 'you shall burn it'.
תִּשְׂרְפֶ֑נּוּyou shall burn itQal impf 2ms + 3ms sf · שָׂרַף (H8313)Predicate verb (imperatival yiqtol, command)→ Yiqtol: modal/imperatival — the obligatory destruction; the address shifts to 2ms 'you shall burn it'שָׂרַף (H8313) 'to burn'; with 3ms suffix 'burn it' — the mandated total destruction of the condemned fabric by fire.
פְּחֶ֣תֶתa fretN f sg abs · פְּחֶתֶת (H6356)Predicate nominative (verdict: 'it is a fret')פְּחֶתֶת (H6356) 'a corroding/eating-away, a fret, a pit-like erosion' (a rare hapax-like term, root פחת 'to sink in, diminish' — sense uncertain); the textile equivalent of a mark eaten into the fabric's structure.
הִ֔ואitPron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Copular subject pronoun (agrees with f. פְּחֶתֶת)
בְּקָרַחְתּ֖וֹon its back sideprep בְּ + N f sg constr + 3ms sf · קָרַחַת (H7146)Locative prepositional phrase (site of the fret)קָרַחַת (H7146) 'bald/bare spot' (root קרח 'be bald'); of skin the back-baldness (v. 42), here transferred to fabric — the worn/bare 'back side' or one face of the material where the fret shows.
א֥וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction
בְגַבַּחְתּֽוֹon its front sideprep בְּ + N f sg constr + 3ms sf · גַּבַּחַת (H1372)Locative prepositional phrase (second site of the fret)גַּבַּחַת (H1372) 'bald forehead, bare front' (root גבח 'forehead-bald'); of skin the front-baldness (v. 42), here transferred to fabric — the worn/bare 'front side' or other face of the material.
56

וְאִם֮ רָאָ֣ה הַכֹּהֵן֒ וְהִנֵּה֙ כֵּהָ֣ה הַנֶּ֔גַע אַחֲרֵ֖י הֻכַּבֵּ֣ס אֹת֑וֹ וְקָרַ֣ע אֹת֗וֹ מִן הַבֶּ֨גֶד֙ א֣וֹ מִן הָע֔וֹר א֥וֹ מִן הַשְּׁתִ֖י א֥וֹ מִן הָעֵֽרֶב

But if the priest examines it and the mark has faded after it has been washed, he shall tear it out of the garment or the skin or the warp or the woof.

Fading after washing yields a lesser remedy: excision rather than burningוְאִם
קָרַע 'tear out' provides a middle path unavailable in the human protocols: the diseased portion alone is removed (like cutting out a moldy patch), sparing the rest of the garment — a remedy impossible for a human body.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וְאִם֮and ifconj וְ + conditional particle · אִם (H518)Conjunction + conditional particle (protasis)אִם (H518) conditional particle 'if'; with וְ introduces the protasis of the fading-mark case.
רָאָ֣הexaminesQal perf 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (protasis)→ Perfective: the priest inspects and assesses the markרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, look at'; here the priest's diagnostic examination of the washed material.
הַכֹּהֵן֒the priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of רָאָהכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; the officiant who inspects and rules on the mark.
וְהִנֵּה֙and beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (introduces observed result)הִנֵּה (H2009) presentative 'behold, look'; flags what the priest now sees — the mark has faded.
כֵּהָ֣הhas fadedPiel perf 3ms · כֵּהָה (H3544)Predicate verb (the favorable sign)→ Perfective: the mark has grown dim/faded — a resolving conditionכֵּהָה (H3544) 'to grow dim, fade, be dull'; the fading of the mark after washing is the favorable sign, permitting excision rather than destruction of the article.
הַנֶּ֔גַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject of כֵּהָהנֶגַע (H5061) 'mark, plague, affliction'; the suspect discoloration on the fabric or leather.
אַחֲרֵ֖יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Temporal prepositional phrase (governs infinitive)אַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; here temporal, governing the infinitive — 'after it was washed'.
הֻכַּבֵּ֣סit was washedHotpael inf constr · כִּבֵּס (H3526)Infinitive construct (governed by אַחֲרֵי)→ Infinitival: 'after its being washed' — the prior launderingכִּבֵּס (H3526) 'to wash' (fabric, by treading/kneading); this rare passive infinitive means 'after it was washed', i.e. the mark faded following laundering.
אֹת֑וֹitobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of the infinitive (it, the article)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, marking the laundered article as the object of 'washed it'.
וְקָרַ֣עthen he shall tear it outconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · קָרַע (H7167)Weqatal predicate (apodosis command)→ Weqatal: the prescribed action — tear out the affected patchקָרַע (H7167) 'to tear, rend, tear away'; the priest excises (tears out) the faded spot from the material rather than burning the whole.
אֹת֗וֹitobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of קָרַע (the affected spot)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, marking the faded spot to be torn out as the object.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (source — out of)מִן (H4480) 'from, out of'; the faded spot is torn out from the garment.
הַבֶּ֨גֶד֙the garmentart + N m sg abs · בֶּגֶד (H899)Object of מִןבֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment, clothing'; first of the four materials from which the mark may be excised.
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating conjunction (alternative)אוֹ (H176) 'or'; coordinates the alternative materials.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (source — out of)מִן (H4480) 'from, out of'; alternatively out of the leather.
הָע֔וֹרthe leatherart + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Object of מִןעוֹר (H5785) 'skin, hide, leather'; here a leather article.
א֥וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating conjunction (alternative)אוֹ (H176) 'or'; coordinates the alternative materials.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (source — out of)מִן (H4480) 'from, out of'; alternatively out of the warp.
הַשְּׁתִ֖יthe warpart + N m sg abs · שְׁתִי (H8359)Object of מִןשְׁתִי (H8359) 'warp' (the lengthwise threads of a weave); paired with עֵרֶב 'woof'.
א֥וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating conjunction (alternative)אוֹ (H176) 'or'; coordinates the alternative materials.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (source — out of)מִן (H4480) 'from, out of'; alternatively out of the woof.
הָעֵֽרֶבthe woofart + N m sg abs · עֵרֶב (H6154)Object of מִןעֵרֶב (H6154) 'woof, weft' (the crosswise threads); paired with שְׁתִי 'warp'.
57

וְאִם תֵּרָאֶ֨ה ע֜וֹד בַּ֠בֶּגֶד אֽוֹ בַשְּׁתִ֤י אֽוֹ בָעֵ֨רֶב֙ א֣וֹ בְכָל כְּלִי ע֔וֹר פֹּרַ֖חַת הִ֑וא בָּאֵ֣שׁ תִּשְׂרְפֶ֔נּוּ אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר בּ֖וֹ הַנָּֽגַע

And if it appears again in the garment, in the warp or the woof, or in anything made of skin, it is breaking out; you shall burn in the fire whatever has the mark.

Recurrence after excision escalates back to burningוְאִם
Even after localized excision (v. 56), reappearance (עוֹד 'again') proves the corruption was never fully contained and mandates the terminal remedy — the same escalation pattern (lesser remedy tried, failure means destruction) recurs throughout the fabric protocol.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְאִםand ifconj וְ + conditional particle · אִם (H518)Conjunction + conditional particle (protasis)אִם (H518) conditional particle 'if'; introduces the contrary case — a recurring outbreak.
תֵּרָאֶ֨הit appearsNiphal impf 3fs · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (protasis)→ Yiqtol (Niphal): imperfective — if it should appear/be seen againרָאָה (H7200) in Niphal 'to appear, be seen'; the mark's reappearance after washing signals an active recurrence.
ע֜וֹדagainadverb · עוֹד (H5750)Adverbial modifier (again, still)עוֹד (H5750) 'again, still, yet'; the mark shows up once more despite the laundering.
בַּ֠בֶּגֶדin the garmentprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · בֶּגֶד (H899)Locative prepositional phraseבֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment'; with בְּ, the first site where the mark might recur.
אֽוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating conjunction (alternative)אוֹ (H176) 'or'; coordinates the alternative materials.
בַשְּׁתִ֤יin the warpprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · שְׁתִי (H8359)Locative prepositional phraseשְׁתִי (H8359) 'warp'; with בְּ, another possible site of recurrence.
אֽוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating conjunction (alternative)אוֹ (H176) 'or'; coordinates the alternative materials.
בָעֵ֨רֶב֙in the woofprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עֵרֶב (H6154)Locative prepositional phraseעֵרֶב (H6154) 'woof, weft'; with בְּ, a possible site of recurrence.
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating conjunction (alternative)אוֹ (H176) 'or'; coordinates the alternative materials.
בְכָלin anyprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase (construct 'in any ... of')כֹּל (H3605) 'all, any'; construct with 'article of leather' — any leather object.
כְּלִיarticle ofN m sg constr · כְּלִי (H3627)Construct nounכְּלִי (H3627) 'article, vessel, implement'.
ע֔וֹרskinN m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Genitive completing the construct chainעוֹר (H5785) 'skin, leather'.
פֹּרַ֖חַתbreaking outQal ptc f sg abs · פָּרַח (H6524)Predicate participle ('it is breaking out')→ Participle: a present, characterizing state — actively eruptingפָּרַח (H6524) 'to sprout, break out, bud'; used elsewhere of skin disease breaking out afresh (cf. 13:12), here of fabric infestation actively spreading again.
הִ֑ואit isindependent pers pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Copula completing the predicate-participle clauseהִיא/הוּא (H1931), 3fs pronoun functioning as copula, agreeing with the implicit feminine subject.
בָּאֵ֣שׁin the fireprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Instrumental prepositional phraseאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; the instrument of the mandated destruction.
תִּשְׂרְפֶ֔נּוּyou shall burn itQal impf 2ms + 3ms sfx · שָׂרַף (H8313)Predicate verb (main clause command, 'you shall burn it')→ Yiqtol: modal/obligatory dutyשָׂרַף (H8313) 'to burn'.
אֵ֥ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marks the following relative clause as object of תִּשְׂרְפֶנּוּ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi.
אֲשֶׁרthat whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle heading the object clause 'whatever has the mark'אֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative particle.
בּ֖וֹon itprep בְּ + 3ms sfx · בְּPrepositional phrase, locative complement within the relative clauseprep בְּ + 3ms suffix, 'on/in it'.
הַנָּֽגַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject within the relative clause ('whatever has the mark on it')נֶגַע (H5061) 'mark'.
58

וְהַבֶּ֡גֶד אֽוֹ הַשְּׁתִ֨י אוֹ הָעֵ֜רֶב אֽוֹ כָל כְּלִ֤י הָעוֹר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תְּכַבֵּ֔ס וְסָ֥ר מֵהֶ֖ם הַנָּ֑גַע וְכֻבַּ֥ס שֵׁנִ֖ית וְטָהֵֽר

And the garment, or the warp or the woof, or anything made of skin, that you wash, if the mark has departed from them, then it shall be washed a second time, and it shall be clean.

Successful washing yields a clean verdict after a second washוְ
Closes the excision/washing sub-track with the possibility of full recovery — a double washing (once to test, once to complete) finally certifies the object clean, in contrast to fabric that must be burned.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְהַבֶּ֡גֶדand the garmentconj + art + N m sg abs · בֶּגֶד (H899)Casus pendens / fronted topic resumed by the pronominal suffix on מֵהֶם belowבֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment'; heads a long list of possible washed substrates, resumed later by מֵהֶם.
אֽוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'.
הַשְּׁתִ֨יthe warpart + N m sg abs · שְׁתִי (H8359)Casus pendens item, coordinate with וְהַבֶּגֶדשְׁתִי (H8359) 'warp'.
אוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'.
הָעֵ֜רֶבor the woofart + N m sg abs · עֵרֶב (H6154)Topic item, coordinate with הַשְּׁתִיעֵרֶב (H6154) 'woof/weft'.
אֽוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'.
כָלanyN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head of the phrase 'any article of skin'כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every, any'.
כְּלִ֤יarticle ofN m sg constr · כְּלִי (H3627)Construct noun (second link)כְּלִי (H3627) 'article, vessel, implement'.
הָעוֹר֙the skinart + N m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Genitive completing the construct chain כְּלִי הָעוֹרעוֹר (H5785) 'skin, leather'.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause 'that you wash'אֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative particle.
תְּכַבֵּ֔סyou washPiel impf 2ms · כִּבֵּס (H3526)Predicate verb of the relative clause ('you wash')→ Yiqtol: generic/habitual — whatever item one washesכִּבֵּס (H3526) Piel 'to wash'; active 2ms, contrasting with the passive Hophal forms used earlier in the chapter.
וְסָ֥רand it has departedconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · סוּר (H5493)Predicate verb of the protasis ('has departed')→ Weqatal/perfective: the departure viewed as an accomplished result of the washingסוּר (H5493) 'to turn aside, depart'; here of the mark itself departing/disappearing after washing — the positive counterpart to פָּשָׂה 'spread'.
מֵהֶ֖םfrom themprep מִן + 3mp sfx · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase, source complement of וְסָר ('from them')מִן (H4480) + 3mp suffix, 'from them', referring back to the list of substrates (garment, warp, woof, skin).
הַנָּ֑גַעthe markart + N m sg abs · נֶגַע (H5061)Subject of וְסָרנֶגַע (H5061) 'mark'.
וְכֻבַּ֥סand it shall be washedconj וְ + Pual weqatal 3ms · כִּבֵּס (H3526)Predicate verb (main clause, weqatal, passive)→ Weqatal: sequential/consequential — the certifying second washכִּבֵּס (H3526) Piel 'to wash'; Pual (passive) here — the article receives a confirming second wash after the mark's departure.
שֵׁנִ֖יתa second timeordinal adv f sg · שֵׁנִית (H8145)Adverbial accusative ('a second time')שֵׁנִי (H8145) 'second'; adverbial 'a second time', paralleling its use in v. 54.
וְטָהֵֽרand it shall be cleanconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · טָהֵר (H2891)Predicate verb (main clause, weqatal, closing verdict)→ Weqatal: consequential — the final positive verdict closing the protocolטָהֵר (H2891) Qal 'to be/become clean'; the chapter's fixed positive verdict-verb, closing the fabric protocol on a note of restoration.
59

זֹ֠את תּוֹרַ֨ת נֶֽגַע צָרַ֜עַת בֶּ֥גֶד הַצֶּ֣מֶר א֣וֹ הַפִּשְׁתִּ֗ים א֤וֹ הַשְּׁתִי֙ א֣וֹ הָעֵ֔רֶב א֖וֹ כָּל כְּלִי ע֑וֹר לְטַהֲר֖וֹ א֥וֹ לְטַמְּאֽוֹ

This is the torah for a mark of scale disease in a garment of wool or linen, or in warp or woof, or in anything made of skin, to pronounce it clean or unclean.

Closing colophon of the fabric protocol and of the whole chapterasyndeton
The זֹאת תּוֹרַת colophon formula, matching similar summary-headings elsewhere in Leviticus (cf. 7:37; 11:46; 14:54, 57), formally closes the chapter's subject matter and anticipates the parallel colophon for the house affliction that follows in ch. 14, extending צָרַעַת's reach to a third substrate.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
זֹ֠אתthis isdemonstrative pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Subject of the nominal clause ('this is...')זֹאת (H2063) 'this' (f sg); opens the colophon formula זֹאת תּוֹרַת, standard for closing legal sections in Leviticus (cf. 7:37; 11:46; 14:54, 57).
תּוֹרַ֨תthe torah ofN f sg constr · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Predicate noun, construct head ('the torah/instruction of...')תּוֹרָה (H8451) 'instruction, procedure-manual' (not abstract 'law'); heads the construct chain naming the subject matter just concluded.
נֶֽגַעa mark ofN m sg constr · נֶגַע (H5061)Construct noun (second link in the chain)נֶגַע (H5061) 'mark, plague, affliction'; construct with צָרַעַת, 'a mark of scale disease'.
צָרַ֜עַתof scale diseaseN f sg constr · צָרַעַת (H6883)Construct noun (third link, 'a mark of scale disease')צָרַעַת (H6883) the chapter's technical term for a diagnosable skin/fabric affliction; fixed gloss 'scale disease' (never 'leprosy').
בֶּ֥גֶדgarment ofN m sg constr · בֶּגֶד (H899)Construct noun (fourth link in the chain, 'a garment of wool or linen')בֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment'.
הַצֶּ֣מֶרof woolart + N m sg abs · צֶמֶר (H6785)Genitive completing the construct בֶּגֶד הַצֶּמֶר ('a garment of wool')צֶמֶר (H6785) 'wool'.
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'.
הַפִּשְׁתִּ֗יםor linenart + N m pl abs · פִּשְׁתִּים (H6593)Coordinate genitive (alternative material)פִּשְׁתִּים (H6593) 'linen, flax'; the alternative textile fiber to wool.
א֤וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'.
הַשְּׁתִי֙or in warpart + N m sg abs · שְׁתִי (H8359)Coordinate genitive continuing the material listשְׁתִי (H8359) 'warp' (lengthwise loom threads).
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'.
הָעֵ֔רֶבor the woofart + N m sg abs · עֵרֶב (H6154)Coordinate genitive continuing the material listעֵרֶב (H6154) 'woof/weft'.
א֖וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'.
כָּלanyN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head of the phrase 'any article of skin'כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every, any'; heads the construct chain כָּל־כְּלִי־עוֹר.
כְּלִיarticle ofN m sg constr · כְּלִי (H3627)Construct noun (second link in the chain כָּל־כְּלִי־עוֹר)כְּלִי (H3627) 'article, vessel, implement'; with עוֹר forms 'article of skin/leather goods'.
ע֑וֹרskinN m sg abs · עוֹר (H5785)Genitive completing the construct chain כְּלִי עוֹר ('article of skin')עוֹר (H5785) 'skin, hide, leather'; closes the list of substrates covered by this torah.
לְטַהֲר֖וֹto declare it cleanprep לְ + Piel inf constr + 3ms sfx · טִהֵר (H2891)Purpose infinitival clause ('to pronounce it clean')→ Infinitive: purpose/result of the whole diagnostic procedureטִהֵר (H2891) Piel 'to pronounce/declare clean'; the declarative (delocutive) use of the root — the priest's formal verdict-act rather than mere physical cleansing.
א֥וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunction linking the two purpose infinitivesאוֹ (H176) 'or'.
לְטַמְּאֽוֹor to declare it uncleanprep לְ + Piel inf constr + 3ms sfx · טִמֵּא (H2930)Purpose infinitival clause, second alternative ('or to pronounce it unclean')→ Infinitive: purpose/result — the negative counterpart verdictטִמֵּא (H2930) Piel 'to pronounce/declare unclean'; declarative (delocutive) use parallel to לְטַהֲרוֹ, together summarizing the priest's twofold verdict authority.