Topical Bible: Leprosy: Law Concerning

◄ Leprosy: Law Concerning ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Leprosy, as described in the Bible, refers to a variety of skin diseases and conditions, not limited to what is known today as Hansen's disease. The laws concerning leprosy are primarily found in the Old Testament, specifically in the books of Leviticus and Numbers. These laws were given to the Israelites to maintain both physical and ceremonial purity within the community.

Biblical References and Instructions

The primary biblical text concerning the laws of leprosy is found in Leviticus 13 and 14. These chapters provide detailed instructions for diagnosing and managing leprosy, both in individuals and in garments or houses.

1. Diagnosis and Examination:
· Leviticus 13 outlines the process by which a priest examines a person suspected of having leprosy. The priest looks for specific signs, such as swelling, a rash, or a bright spot on the skin. If the symptoms persist after a seven-day quarantine, the priest may declare the person unclean.
· "The priest is to examine the sore on the skin. If the hair in the sore has turned white and the sore appears to be deeper than the skin of the body, it is a leprous sore. When the priest examines it, he must pronounce him unclean." (Leviticus 13:3)

2. Isolation and Quarantine:
· Those diagnosed with leprosy were required to live outside the camp to prevent the spread of the disease and maintain the purity of the community.
· "The person with such an infectious disease must wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of his face, and cry out, 'Unclean! Unclean!'" (Leviticus 13:45)

3. Cleansing and Restoration:
· Leviticus 14 provides the ritual for cleansing a person who has been healed of leprosy. This involves a series of sacrifices and ceremonial washings, culminating in the person being declared clean by the priest.
· "The priest shall order that two live clean birds and some cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop be brought for the one to be cleansed." (Leviticus 14:4)

4. Leprosy in Garments and Houses:
· The law also addresses leprosy in garments and houses, which may refer to mold or mildew. The affected items are to be shown to the priest, who will determine the appropriate course of action, including washing, quarantine, or destruction.
· "If the mildew reappears in the house after the stones have been torn out and the house scraped and plastered, the priest is to go and examine it." (Leviticus 14:43-44)

Theological and Symbolic Significance

Leprosy in the Bible is often seen as a symbol of sin and its corrupting influence. The detailed laws and rituals underscore the importance of holiness and separation from impurity. The role of the priest in diagnosing and cleansing leprosy highlights the mediatory function of the priesthood, pointing to the need for divine intervention in the restoration of purity.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jesus' healing of lepers is significant, demonstrating His authority over physical and spiritual uncleanness. The accounts of Jesus cleansing lepers, such as in Matthew 8:1-4, emphasize His compassion and power to restore individuals to both health and community.

The laws concerning leprosy reflect the broader biblical themes of holiness, community, and redemption, illustrating the need for both physical and spiritual cleansing.

Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 13:1
And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,
Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 14:1
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 22:4
What man soever of the seed of Aaron is a leper, or has a running issue; he shall not eat of the holy things, until he be clean. And whoever touches any thing that is unclean by the dead, or a man whose seed goes from him;
Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 5:1-3
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 12:14
And the LORD said to Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 24:8
Take heed in the plague of leprosy, that you observe diligently, and do according to all that the priests the Levites shall teach you: as I commanded them, so you shall observe to do.
Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 8:4
And Jesus said to him, See you tell no man; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.
Nave's Topical Index

Luke 5:14
And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.
Nave's Topical Index

Luke 17:14
And when he saw them, he said to them, Go show yourselves to the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Return to Capernaum - Concerning the Forgiveness of Sins - the ...
... in face of the living death of leprosy, so it had ... by a balustrade which, according
to Jewish Law, was at ... to the highest of all questions concerning the Christ. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvi the return to.htm

1 Cor. Ix. 1
... would not have taken so much interest as even to make a law to forbid ... and not making
the ground bear divers crops, [104] and those concerning leprosy; and, in ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxi 1 cor ix.htm

Eusebius: Constantine. General Index.
... of a British princess, [3347]441, [3348]442; leprosy and baptism ... 3526]544; amends
laws concerning the childless and concerning wills, [3527]546; law that no ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/eusebius constantine general index.htm

On the Management of the Resources Collected for the Support of ...
... yet would exercise the functions of the priests, was smitten with leprosy for his ...
evil of the gods." [2738] For He did not make that law concerning deities of ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iv on the management of.htm

Leviticus
... with leprosy, xiv.33-57. Laws concerning purification after sexual secretions (xv.).
The laws of purification are appropriately concluded by the law for the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/leviticus.htm

The Scriptures
... But the question is concerning hard places of Scripture, where the ... if we are diseased
with sin's leprosy, here are ... The ark wherein the law was put was overlaid ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/2 the scriptures.htm

From Sinai to Kadesh.
... law is found in the instructions concerning the priesthood and ... during which tune
they received the law and were ... of Moses, was smitten with leprosy because with ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter vi from sinai to.htm

Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna
... oracle, and most true saying, is concerning thy majesty ... Spirit, a teacher of the
law, honoured with the ... engraved, by the loathsomeness of leprosy, exhibiting to ...
/.../the writings of methodius fragments/oration concerning simeon and anna.htm

Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement.
... [Though healed of his leprosy, the man ... great Physician, had come, and that he respected
the law of Moses. ... so much the more went abroad the report concerning him ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxiv jesus heals a leper.htm

Of the Purifications.
... those whose bodies were afflicted with leprosy, and that ... in a state of pollution,
the law appointed the ... with several sorts of sacrifices; concerning which we ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 of the purifications.htm