woolen or linen fabric, the hide of an animal, or anything made of leather.
Parallel translations
- WEB whether it is in warp, or woof; of linen, or of wool; whether in a skin, or in anything made of skin;
- KJV Whether it be in the warp, or woof; of linen, or of woollen; whether in a skin, or in any thing made of skin;
- BSB any weave or knit of linen or wool, or any article of leather—
- NKJV whether it is in the warp or woof of linen or wool, whether in leather or in anything made of leather,
- NASB whether in warp or woof, of linen or of wool, whether in leather or in any article made of leather,
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The contamination is described in any part of the fabric or leather, whether woven thread or made-up skin. It matters because the law leaves no material exempt from inspection for defilement.
Overview
The verse specifies warp and woof (the threads of weaving) and worked leather, ensuring that every kind of textile and hide fell under the same standard of examination. Such detailed coverage reflects the comprehensive holiness God required of his people. It reminds believers that no corner of life lies outside God's claim, and that thoroughness in dealing with corruption is part of true holiness.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- Jude 1:23and some save, snatching them out of the fire with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.
- Lev 13:51He shall examine the plague on the seventh day. If the plague has spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in the skin, whatever use the skin is used for, the plague is a destructive mildew. It is unclean.
- Deut 8:11Beware lest you forget Yahweh your God, in not keeping his commandments, and his ordinances, and his statutes, which I command you today;
- Rev 3:4Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Every sacrifice, every priest, and every day of atonement points beyond itself to the one perfect offering and the great High Priest who, by his own blood, makes the unclean holy once for all.
How Leviticus 13:48 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.