Topical Bible: Leprosy: Infected: Women

◄ Leprosy: Infected: Women ►

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

Topical Encyclopedia

Leprosy, a term used in the Bible to describe a variety of skin diseases, holds significant theological and social implications within the scriptural context. The condition is often associated with ritual impurity and social isolation, as outlined in the Mosaic Law. While the Bible provides detailed instructions on the diagnosis and treatment of leprosy, specific references to women afflicted by this condition are less frequent but nonetheless significant.

Biblical Context and Law

The primary biblical text concerning leprosy is found in Leviticus 13 and 14, where the laws regarding the diagnosis and purification of leprosy are meticulously detailed. These chapters do not explicitly differentiate between men and women in terms of the procedures for examination and purification. Leviticus 13:45-46 states, "A diseased person must wear torn clothes, let his hair hang loose, cover his mouth, and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean!’ As long as he has the infection, he remains unclean. He must live alone in a place outside the camp."

Women and Leprosy in the Bible

While the laws apply universally, the narrative accounts of women with leprosy are sparse. One notable instance is Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron. In Numbers 12, Miriam is struck with leprosy as a divine punishment for speaking against Moses. Numbers 12:10 records, "As the cloud lifted from above the Tent, suddenly Miriam became leprous, white as snow. Aaron turned toward her, saw that she was leprous." This incident underscores the severity of leprosy as both a physical ailment and a spiritual consequence.

Miriam's case is unique in that her leprosy is directly linked to her actions and serves as a divine rebuke. Her subsequent isolation outside the camp for seven days (Numbers 12:14-15) reflects the broader societal implications of leprosy, emphasizing the need for purification and restoration to the community.

Cultural and Social Implications

In biblical times, leprosy carried a significant social stigma. Those afflicted, including women, were often marginalized and required to live outside the community to prevent the spread of impurity. This isolation had profound effects on social and familial relationships, as leprosy not only affected the physical body but also one's standing within the covenant community.

The New Testament provides further insight into the treatment of leprous individuals, including women. Jesus' ministry is marked by acts of healing and restoration, transcending the social barriers imposed by leprosy. In Luke 17:11-19, Jesus heals ten lepers, though the text does not specify their gender. His willingness to engage with and heal lepers highlights the transformative power of His ministry and the inclusivity of His message.

Theological Significance

Leprosy in the Bible often symbolizes sin and the need for purification. The affliction serves as a physical manifestation of spiritual impurity, necessitating divine intervention for healing and restoration. For women, as for men, leprosy underscores the broader biblical themes of sin, judgment, and redemption.

The biblical narrative of leprosy, particularly in the context of women, invites reflection on the nature of purity, community, and the redemptive work of God. Through the lens of leprosy, the Scriptures reveal the depth of human brokenness and the hope of divine healing and reconciliation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 12:10
And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked on Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Defilers of Themselves with Beasts, Being Also Leprous, who have ...
... of themselves with beasts, being also leprous, who have infected others [with the
leprosy of this ... goes in to a beast or even to leprous women, shall pray ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xvii defilers of themselves.htm

Original Sin
... that he should rip up the women with child ... the leper touched became unclean; such
a leprosy is original ... of breath, so original corruption has infected our hearts ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/3 original sin.htm

Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ...
... lepers also considered unclean; and, again, women suffering from ... doctrine is contagious
just as leprosy is, and ... the healthy parts from those that are infected. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be any 2.htm

The Seven Ecumenical Councils
... with beasts, being also leprous, who have infected others with the leprosy? ... Concerning
women who commit fornication, and destroy that which they have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/

Off Duty
... Men drinking, women huddled together supping the stuff that is ... Leprosy is infectious
and of slow progress ... The parts of the body infected become insensible, and ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/xiv off duty.htm

On the Article, and in one Holy Ghost, the Comforter, which Spake ...
... hint at this, out of respect for the women who are ... sold the cure of the leper, and
the leprosy is thy ... young though thou be, convict old men infected with the ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xvi on the article.htm

Epistle Lxiii. Limenius, Bishop of Vercell??, Having Died, the See ...
... various and slippery, and as it were infected with the ... of Moses, who as leader of
the women passed on ... itself also shall be delivered from the leprosy of its ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/epistle lxiii limenius bishop of.htm

Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ...
... implies gracefulness, and occupied, to speak concisely, the same place among women,
as her ... to impart virtue; just as we can more readily be infected with a ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xliii funeral oration on.htm

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
... the taint of sin, and its awfully developed leprosy, is given ... ones, one of these
great sin-breeders; I infected all the ... me, all you that are men and women of a ...
/.../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 ...
... of children, learning of compliments, boldness in women, lechery in ... over the mind
as the leprosy does over ... mire at home.' The immoral taint infected the young. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm