Leviticus 13:4-8 - Exposition

In case the symptoms are not decisive, then the priest shall shut up him that hath the plague seven days. The words thus translated would perhaps be better rendered, then the priest shall bind up the part affected for seven days. The priest is to delay his judgment for a week, and, if necessary, for a second week, during which period the patient is, according to the rendering, either to be confined to his house or, more probably, to have the spot bandaged. Whether the disease be or be not leprosy will probably have declared itself by the end of that time; and if the plague be somewhat dark on the fourteenth day, that is, if it has begun to lose its colour and to fade away, and has not spread in the skin , the priest is to decide that it is not real leprosy, and pronounce the man clean . He is still, however, to be kept under supervision, and if the spot is found to spread, he is to be pronounced unclean , as it is proved to be a leprosy .