In biblical times, mildew was considered a significant concern, particularly in the context of ritual purity and the health of the community. The term "mildewed" refers to the presence of mold or fungus, often associated with decay and uncleanliness. In the Bible, mildew is frequently mentioned in the context of divine judgment and the covenantal relationship between God and His people.

Biblical References:

1. Leviticus 13:47-59 · The Law of Moses provides detailed instructions regarding the examination and treatment of mildew in garments. If a garment showed signs of mildew, it was to be shown to the priest, who would determine whether it was clean or unclean. The presence of mildew could render a garment unclean, necessitating its destruction by fire if the mildew persisted after washing.

2. Leviticus 14:33-53 · This passage extends the regulations concerning mildew to houses. If mildew was found in a house, the priest was to inspect it. The house could be declared unclean, and remedial actions, including the removal of affected stones and replastering, were prescribed. Persistent mildew could lead to the destruction of the house.

3. Deuteronomy 28:22 · In the context of the blessings and curses pronounced upon Israel, mildew is listed as one of the curses that would come upon the people if they disobeyed God's commandments. "The LORD will strike you with wasting disease, with fever and inflammation, with scorching heat and drought, with blight and mildew, which will plague you until you perish."

Theological Significance:

Mildew, as described in the Bible, is more than a mere physical ailment; it is symbolic of spiritual decay and impurity. The meticulous laws concerning mildew underscore the importance of holiness and purity in the life of the Israelites. The presence of mildew was a tangible reminder of the consequences of sin and disobedience to God's laws.

The biblical treatment of mildew also highlights the role of the priesthood in maintaining the spiritual and physical well-being of the community. Priests acted as mediators who discerned the presence of impurity and prescribed the necessary actions to restore cleanliness and order.

Covenantal Implications:

The mention of mildew in the context of covenant blessings and curses (Deuteronomy 28) serves as a stark reminder of the conditional nature of Israel's relationship with God. Obedience to God's commandments would result in blessings, while disobedience would bring about curses, including the affliction of mildew. This reflects the broader biblical theme of covenant faithfulness and the consequences of turning away from God's statutes.

Practical Considerations:

In a practical sense, the biblical instructions regarding mildew emphasize the importance of vigilance and proactive measures in dealing with physical and spiritual impurities. The community was called to be attentive to signs of decay and to take decisive action to prevent the spread of impurity, thereby preserving the sanctity of the community and its environment.

Overall, the biblical treatment of mildew serves as a powerful metaphor for the need for spiritual cleanliness and the vigilance required to maintain a life that is pleasing to God.(imp. & p. p.) of Mildew.

As in a Race Saw I the Disputers, the Children of Strife, [Trying] ...
... The worm gendered in the storehouse of wheat, and sat and looked on: and lo! the
pure wheat was mildewed, and devoured were the garments of glory! ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn vii as in a.htm

Useless Sacrifice
... You look, against the will of your smart and ostentatious guide, through a
half-open door, and see another sight"a room, dark and foul, mildewed and ruinous ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxvi useless sacrifice.htm

The Power of Little Things.
... Years passed; he came back, and applied for them again. The first took him into
a storehouse, and showed them his sacks; but they were mildewed and worthless. ...
/.../moody/to the work to the work/chapter vi the power of.htm

The Resurrection
... But REALLY in Christ, I mean" not like the dead and dying grains, mildewed and
worm-eaten, which you find here and there on the finest wheat-plant. ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xvii the resurrection.htm

A Summary of the Christian Life. Of Self-Denial.
... If his crops are blasted, mildewed, or cut off by frost, or struck down by hail,
[10] and he sees famine before him, he will not however despond or murmur ...
/.../sergieff/on the christian life/chapter ii a summary of.htm

A Summary of the Christian Life. Of Self-Denial.
... If his crops are blasted, mildewed, or cut off by frost, or struck down by hail,
[395] and he sees famine before him, he will not however despond or murmur ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 a summary of.htm

Moody's Stories
Moody's Stories. <. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/moodys stories/moodys stories.htm

Mildewed (1 Occurrence)
... (imp. & pp) of Mildew. Multi-Version Concordance Mildewed (1 Occurrence). ... It is a
mildewed spot, whether the bareness is inside or outside. (WEB). ...
/m/mildewed.htm - 6k

Mildew (26 Occurrences)
... burn it in the fire. It is a mildewed spot, whether the bareness is inside
or outside. (Root in WEB NIV). Leviticus 13:56 If the ...
/m/mildew.htm - 16k

Leprous (27 Occurrences)
... shall burn it in the fire. It is a mildewed spot, whether the bareness is
inside or outside. (See RSV). Leviticus 13:59 This is the ...
/l/leprous.htm - 15k

Mile (2 Occurrences)

/m/mile.htm - 7k

Bareness (1 Occurrence)
... it is unclean; you shall burn it in the fire. It is a mildewed spot, whether
the bareness is inside or outside. (WEB JPS ASV NAS). ...
/b/bareness.htm - 6k

Affected (9 Occurrences)
... shall burn it in the fire. It is a mildewed spot, whether the bareness is
inside or outside. (See NIV). Isaiah 57:10 Thou wast wearied ...
/a/affected.htm - 9k

Produced (39 Occurrences)
... shall burn it in the fire. It is a mildewed spot, whether the bareness is inside
or outside. (See NAS). Leviticus 25:45 And in addition ...
/p/produced.htm - 18k

Examine (48 Occurrences)
... It is a mildewed spot, whether the bareness is inside or outside. (WEB RSV NIV).
Leviticus 14:3 and the priest shall go forth out of the camp. ...
/e/examine.htm - 23k

Spot (42 Occurrences)
... shall burn it in the fire. It is a mildewed spot, whether the bareness is
inside or outside. (WEB RSV). Leviticus 13:56 If the priest ...
/s/spot.htm - 24k

Changed (177 Occurrences)
... fire. It is a mildewed spot, whether the bareness is inside or outside.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Leviticus ...
/c/changed.htm - 36k

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