Metzora

The Hebrew Word

The word מְּצֹרָע [metzora] is formed from the Hebrew word צָרַע [tzara - Strong's #6879.  Tzarah is a primitive root meaning "to scourge", that is, to be stricken with tzara'at.  Tzara'at is a physical manifestation of a spiritual affliction.  It is not "leprosy", i.e., Hansen's disease.  Tzarah is used 21 times in 18 verses in the Tanakh.

Tzarah is the root of two other Hebrew words, צִרְעָה [tzirah - a wasp, Strong's #6880], and צָרַעַת [tzara'at - leprosy, Strong's #6883).

First use in Scripture

The first time tzarah is used in Scripture is in Exodus 4.

The LORD furthermore said to him, "Now put your hand into your bosom." So he put his hand into his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. (Exodus 4:6)

Last use in Scripture

The last time tzarah is used in Scripture is in 2 Chronicles 26.

So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the grave which belonged to the kings, for they said, "He is a leper [metzorah]." And Jotham his son became king in his place. (2 Chronicles 26:23)

Parashah Outline

• Law of Cleansing a Leper [Metzorah] - Leviticus 14:1
• Cleansing a Leprous House - Leviticus 14:33
• Cleansing Unhealthiness - Leviticus 15:1

Portraits of Messiah

Pending

Other Observations

Commandments In the Parashah 

Ten of the traditional 613 commandments are found in this parashah.

• 474- Carry out the prescribed rules for purifying the metzora- Levitcus 14:2
• 475- The metzora must shave off all his hair prior to purification- Levitcus 14:9
• 397- A metzora must bring an offering (in the Temple) after going to the mikveh- Levitcus 14:10
• 481- Observe the laws of impurity caused by a man's running issue (irregular ejaculation of infected semen)- Levitcus 15:3
• 396- A man who had a running (unnatural urinary) issue must bring an offering (in the Temple) after he goes to the mikveh- Levitcus 15:13-14
• 484- Observe the laws of impurity of a seminal emission (regular ejaculation, with normal semen)- Levitcus 15:16
• 486- Every impure person must immerse himself in a mikveh to become pure- Levitcus 15:16
• 478- Observe the laws of menstrual impurity- Levitcus 15:19
• 480- Observe the laws of impurity caused by a woman's running issue- Levitcus 15:25
• 394- A woman who had a running (vaginal) issue must bring an offering (in the Temple) after she goes to the mikveh- Levitcus 15:28-29

18 verses that include tzara (Strong's #6879)

Exodus 4:6

Leviticus 13:44
Leviticus 13:45
Leviticus 14:2
Leviticus 14:3
Leviticus 22:4

Numbers 5:2
Numbers 12:10

2 Samuel 3:29

2 Kings 5:1
2 Kings 5:11
2 Kings 5:27
2 Kings 7:3
2 Kings 7:8
2 Kings 15:5

2 Chronicles 26:20
2 Chronicles 26:21
2 Chronicles 26:23

• Leviticus