Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, leprosy is not limited to a disease affecting human skin but also extends to a condition that could afflict garments and houses. The term "leprosy" in the Bible often refers to a variety of skin diseases and conditions, as well as mold or mildew in fabrics and buildings. The laws concerning leprosy in houses are detailed in the Book of Leviticus, specifically in Leviticus 14:33-53.Biblical Instructions for Suspected Leprosy in Houses When a house was suspected of having leprosy, the owner was required to report it to the priest. The process was a meticulous one, reflecting the seriousness with which such conditions were treated in ancient Israelite society. The priest acted as both a religious and health inspector, ensuring that the community remained pure and free from defilement. Leviticus 14:35-36 : "The owner of the house shall come and tell the priest, ‘Something like mildew has appeared in my house.’ The priest must order that the house be cleared before he enters it to examine the mildew, so that nothing in the house will become unclean. After this, the priest shall go in to inspect the house." The initial step involved the homeowner notifying the priest of the suspected leprosy. The priest would then order the house to be emptied to prevent the contents from becoming unclean. This precautionary measure underscores the importance of maintaining ritual purity and preventing the spread of contamination. Inspection and Diagnosis The priest's inspection was thorough. He would examine the affected areas to determine the nature of the condition. If the priest found greenish or reddish depressions that appeared to be deeper than the surface of the wall, the house was quarantined for seven days. Leviticus 14:37-38 : "He shall examine the mildew, and if the mildew on the walls of the house has greenish or reddish depressions that appear to be deeper than the surface of the wall, the priest shall go out the doorway of the house and close it up for seven days." After the initial quarantine period, the priest would return to reassess the house. If the mildew had spread, further action was required. Remedial Actions If the mildew had spread after the seven-day period, the affected stones were to be removed and discarded outside the city in an unclean place. The house was then scraped, and new stones and plaster were used to repair it. Leviticus 14:40-42 : "He is to order that the contaminated stones be pulled out and thrown into an unclean place outside the city. He must have the inside of the house thoroughly scraped and the plaster that is removed dumped into an unclean place outside the city. Then they are to take other stones to replace the contaminated ones and additional plaster to replaster the house." If, after these measures, the mildew reappeared, the house was considered unclean and was to be demolished, with all materials taken to an unclean place outside the city. Leviticus 14:44-45 : "the priest shall come and inspect it. If the mildew has spread in the house, it is a destructive mildew; the house is unclean. It must be torn down—its stones, timbers, and all the plaster—and taken outside the city to an unclean place." Purification Process If the mildew did not reappear after the house was repaired, a purification ceremony was conducted. This involved two birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop. One bird was sacrificed over fresh water, and the living bird, along with the cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop, was dipped in the blood of the sacrificed bird and the fresh water. The house was then sprinkled seven times. Leviticus 14:49-51 : "To cleanse the house, he is to take two birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop. He shall slaughter one of the birds over fresh water in a clay pot. Then he shall take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the scarlet yarn, and the live bird, dip them into the blood of the slaughtered bird and the fresh water, and sprinkle the house seven times." This ritual symbolized the cleansing and restoration of the house, making it fit for habitation once more. The living bird was released into the open fields, symbolizing the removal of impurity. The laws concerning leprosy in houses reflect the broader biblical themes of purity, holiness, and the community's responsibility to maintain both physical and spiritual cleanliness. These regulations served not only as health measures but also as a means of preserving the sanctity of the Israelite community. Torrey's Topical Textbook Leviticus 14:35And he that ownes the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, It seems to me there is as it were a plague in the house: Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Appendix xvi. On the Jewish views About Demons' and the Demonised ... Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ... The Last Days of the Old Eastern World Against Jovinianus. Resources What is the meaning of impurity in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of the ten lepers in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was Gehazi in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Leprosy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Leprosy: A Common Disease Among the Jews Leprosy: Ceremonies at Cleansing of Leprosy: Christ Gave Power to Heal Leprosy: Garments: Incurable Infected With, Burned Leprosy: Garments: Infected With, to Have the Piece First Torn Out Leprosy: Garments: Suspected of, But not Having, Washed and Pronounced Clean Leprosy: Garments: Suspected of, Shown to Priest Leprosy: Garments: Suspected of, Shut up Seven Days Leprosy: Healed: Disciples Empowered to Heal Leprosy: Houses: Ceremonies at Cleansing of Leprosy: Houses: Incurably Infected With, Pulled Down and Removed Leprosy: Houses: Infected With, Communicated Uncleanness to Everyone Who Leprosy: Houses: Suspected of, But not Infected, Pronounced Clean Leprosy: Houses: Suspected of, Emptied Leprosy: Houses: Suspected of, Inspected by Priest Leprosy: Houses: Suspected of, Reported to Priest Leprosy: Houses: Suspected of, Shut up Seven Days Leprosy: Houses: To Have the Part Infected With, First Removed, and the Rest Leprosy: Leprosy not Mentioned Above: Azariah Leprosy: Leprosy not Mentioned Above: Four Lepers Outside Samaria Leprosy: Leprosy not Mentioned Above: Simon Leprosy: Less Inveterate when It Covered the Whole Body Leprosy: Often Began With a Bright Red Spot Leprosy: Often Sent As a Punishment for Sin Leprosy: Parts Affected by The Beard Leprosy: Parts Affected by The Forehead Leprosy: Parts Affected by The Hand Leprosy: Parts Affected by The Head Leprosy: Parts Affected by The Whole Body Leprosy: Power of Christ Manifested in Curing Leprosy: Power of God Manifested in Curing Leprosy: Sent As a Judgment On: Gehazi Leprosy: Sent As a Judgment On: Miriam Leprosy: Sent As a Judgment On: Uzziah Leprosy: The Priests: Examined all Persons Healed of Leprosy: The Priests: Examined Persons Suspected of Leprosy: The Priests: had Rules for Distinguishing Leprosy: The Priests: Judges and Directors in Cases of Leprosy: The Priests: Shut up Persons Suspected of, Seven Days Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: Associated Together Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: Ceremonially Unclean Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: Cut off from God's House Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: Dwelt in a Separate House Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: Excluded from Priest's office Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: Separated from Intercourse With Others Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: To Cry Unclean when Approached Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: To Have Their Heads Bare, Clothes Rent, and Lip Covered Leprosy: Turned the Hair White or Yellow Leprosy: Turned the Skin White Related Terms |
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