Definition: And if the priest look, and, behold, the plague [be] somewhat dark after the washing of it; then he shall rend it out of the garment, or out of the skin, or out of the warp, or out of the woof:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 13:56. It's a really interesting and somewhat mysterious passage about dealing with a plague – a sudden outbreak of illness – during the Passover festival. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: When a plague breaks out, God wants to stop it quickly. This verse describes a specific way to do that. It's essentially saying, "If the priest sees a sign of a plague, he needs to take action – to physically remove the infected part of the person.” Let’s unpack each part: “And if the priest look…” : This tells us this is happening while the priest is examining someone . It's a focused observation. “…and, behold, the plague [be] somewhat dark after the washing of it.” : This is the key part. "The plague" refers to a sickness or illness that’s spreading rapidly and causing people to become sick. The word “be” implies this isn't a normal, gradual spread; it's happening suddenly and with a noticeable change. It's like a dark cloud appearing. “Then he shall rend it out of the garment, or out of the skin, or out of the warp, or out of the woof:” This is where the action happens. It’s describing a very specific and forceful removal of the infected part. Let's break down each word: “rend” : This means to tear or rip something apart. “…out of the garment…” : The priest would rip out the infected portion from the person’s clothing. “…or out of the skin...” : He’d remove the infected part from the person's body. “…or out of the warp...” : This is a more poetic phrase, but it means to remove the infected part from the fabric itself . It’s like pulling out a stain or discoloration. “…or out of the woof:” : This is the most unusual part and gets its meaning from the ancient Hebrew language. “Woof” means "a sickness" or "a plague." So, it means to remove the infected part from the entire area where the plague is spreading . What’s the Point? The verse is a symbolic way for God to stop the spread of the plague. It's a visible sign that God is intervening and taking action to protect his people. It's a powerful image of divine intervention and a focused response to an urgent situation. Important Note: This passage comes from a very old and mysterious part of Jewish tradition, so it’s often interpreted symbolically rather than literally. It’s not meant to be taken as a description of a literal plague outbreak – it's about God’s active role in protecting his people. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the symbolism of this passage? Connect it to other biblical stories?