Topical Bible: Leprosy: Infected: Houses

◄ Leprosy: Infected: Houses ►

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

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, leprosy is not limited to a disease affecting humans but also extends to inanimate objects, including houses. This concept is primarily found in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Leviticus, which provides detailed laws and instructions regarding the identification and treatment of leprous houses.

Biblical Reference:

The primary scriptural reference for leprous houses is found in Leviticus 14:33-53. This passage outlines the procedures for diagnosing and cleansing a house suspected of having a leprous infection. The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, giving them specific instructions for the Israelites when they enter the land of Canaan:

"When you enter the land of Canaan that I am giving you as a possession, and I put a mildew contamination in a house in the land you possess, the owner of the house shall come and tell the priest, ‘Something like mildew has appeared in my house.’" (Leviticus 14:34-35)

Diagnosis and Inspection:

The process begins with the homeowner reporting the suspected infection to a priest. The priest is then responsible for inspecting the house. If the priest finds greenish or reddish depressions that appear to be deeper than the surface of the wall, he is to quarantine the house for seven days (Leviticus 14:37-38).

Cleansing Process:

If, upon reinspection, the infection has spread, the affected stones must be removed and discarded outside the city in an unclean place. The house is then scraped, and the contaminated plaster is replaced with new stones and plaster (Leviticus 14:39-42).

If the infection reappears after the stones have been replaced and the house replastered, the house is considered unclean. The entire structure must be torn down, and all materials are to be taken to an unclean place outside the city (Leviticus 14:43-45).

Ritual of Cleansing:

If the infection does not reappear, the house is declared clean. The priest performs a cleansing ritual involving two birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop. One bird is slaughtered over fresh water in a clay pot, and the living bird, along with the cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop, is dipped into the blood of the slaughtered bird. The house is then sprinkled seven times, and the living bird is released into the open fields (Leviticus 14:48-53).

Symbolism and Significance:

The laws concerning leprous houses underscore the importance of holiness and purity in the life of the Israelites. The presence of leprosy in a house is seen as a defilement that must be addressed to maintain the sanctity of the community. The detailed procedures reflect the seriousness with which God views impurity and the lengths to which His people must go to eradicate it.

The ritual of cleansing, involving the use of birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop, carries symbolic significance. These elements are often associated with purification and atonement, pointing to the need for divine intervention in the cleansing process.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the laws regarding leprous houses highlight God's concern for the physical and spiritual well-being of His people. They serve as a reminder of the pervasive nature of sin and the necessity of vigilance in maintaining purity. The cleansing rituals foreshadow the ultimate purification and redemption brought about through Jesus Christ, who cleanses believers from all unrighteousness.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 14:34
When you be come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put the plague of leprosy in a house of the land of your possession;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"And if Christ be in You, the Body is Dead Because of Sin: but the ...
... former appointment of death, but under a new and living consideration, to take down
this infected and defiled tabernacle, as the houses of leprosy were taken ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxviii and if christ.htm

Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ...
... distinguish the healthy parts from those that are infected. ... this corruption by the
name of leprosy, whereby a ... Hence the Law prescribed such houses, where this ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be any 2.htm

The Seven Ecumenical Councils
... themselves with beasts, being also leprous, who have infected others with the leprosy? ...
not be made by bishops or presbyters in any private houses.? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/

Off Duty
... which was known as one of the roughest houses of that ... Leprosy is infectious and of
slow progress. ... The parts of the body infected become insensible, and in time ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/xiv off duty.htm

On the Article, and in one Holy Ghost, the Comforter, which Spake ...
... sold the cure of the leper, and the leprosy is thy ... young though thou be, convict
old men infected with the ... levelled to the ground, except a few houses, and the ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xvi on the article.htm

The Life of Mr. John Welch.
... was free, and the country about infected, thought fit ... held, that devils haunted these
ministers houses, and I ... a tendency to a sort of leprosy, physicians said ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr john 5.htm

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
... the taint of sin, and its awfully developed leprosy, is given ... one of these great
sin-breeders; I infected all the ... as were possessors of lands or houses sold them ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the jerusalem sinner saved.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... putting on of apparel, dressing up houses, decking of ... themselves over the mind as
the leprosy does over ... the mire at home.' The immoral taint infected the young ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm

Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ...
... 4449] most fond of gold and most hostile to Christ, infected with these ... than a barbaric
inroad which, instead of destroying walls, cities and houses, and other ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xliii funeral oration on.htm

part ii
... it is he who occupies us with earthly trifles or with earthly vanity, with earthly
nothingness, with earthly allurements, with food, drink, dress, houses, etc. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm