In the biblical context, leprosy is not limited to a disease affecting human skin but also extends to inanimate objects, including garments. The Mosaic Law provides specific instructions for dealing with garments suspected of having leprosy, which is understood as a form of mold or mildew that could render the item ceremonially unclean.

Biblical Instructions:

The primary biblical passage addressing leprosy in garments is found in Leviticus 13:47-59. According to the Law, if a garment shows signs of a spreading mildew, it is to be brought to the priest for examination. The Berean Standard Bible states:

"If any fabric is contaminated with mildew—any wool or linen garment, any weave or knit of linen or wool, or any leather or anything made of leather— and if the contamination in the fabric, the leather, the weave or knit, or any leather article is greenish or reddish, it is a spreading mildew and must be shown to the priest." (Leviticus 13:47-49)

Role of the Priest:

The priest acts as the mediator and judge in these matters, determining the ceremonial status of the garment. Upon examination, the priest is to isolate the garment for seven days. If the mildew has spread after this period, the garment is declared unclean:

"He is to examine the mildew and isolate the contaminated fabric for seven days. On the seventh day he is to reexamine it, and if the mildew has spread in the fabric, the weave or knit, or the leather, regardless of its use, it is a harmful mildew; the article is unclean." (Leviticus 13:50-51)

Remedial Actions:

If the mildew has not spread, the priest orders the contaminated area to be washed and isolated for another seven days. If, after washing, the mildew has not changed in appearance, the garment is unclean and must be burned:

"If the mildew reappears in the fabric, weave or knit, or any leather article, it is spreading. Whatever has the mildew must be burned in the fire." (Leviticus 13:57)

However, if the mildew has faded after washing, the affected area is to be torn out. If it reappears, the entire garment must be burned. If it does not reappear, the garment is washed again and declared clean:

"But if the mildew disappears from the fabric, weave or knit, or any leather article after it has been washed, then it is to be washed again, and it will be clean." (Leviticus 13:58)

Theological Implications:

The laws concerning leprosy in garments underscore the importance of purity and holiness in the life of the Israelites. The meticulous process of examination and cleansing reflects God's desire for His people to be set apart, free from any form of defilement. The priest's role in this process highlights the necessity of divine intervention and guidance in matters of purity.

These regulations also serve as a symbolic representation of sin and its corrupting influence, requiring careful examination and cleansing to restore purity. The destruction of garments that cannot be cleansed signifies the ultimate fate of sin that is unrepentant and unremedied.Leviticus 13:49
And if the plague be greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the skin, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin; it is a plague of leprosy, and shall be showed to the priest:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Cor. Ix. 1
... precepts, for example, concerning various garments; and those ... crops, [104] and those
concerning leprosy; and, in ... some in our generation are suspected, when in ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxi 1 cor ix.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... The example of Artabanus, followed by that of Hystaspes, had shown how easy it was
for ... he therefore spread the report that he was attacked by leprosy, and he ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... Petrie has shown that the unit of measurement represented ... clothed to those of the
Chaldaean garments, and the ... the visible text should be suspected, the outer ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... whole equipment of jewels, paint, and garments required by ... is recorded, and where
the leprosy by which ... among their contemporaries must have suspected that the ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... He refers to Moses and the leprosy of Miriam, who, because she chided her brother
on ... out that the same thing was said by [4365] Ahimelech the priest to David ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

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