Topical Bible: Leprosy: The Priests: Examined all Persons Healed of

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In the biblical context, leprosy is a term used to describe a variety of skin diseases and conditions, not limited to what is known today as Hansen's disease. The examination and purification process for those healed of leprosy is detailed in the Old Testament, particularly in the book of Leviticus. The role of the priests in this process was crucial, as they were responsible for diagnosing the condition, overseeing the purification rituals, and declaring individuals clean.

Biblical Instructions and Priestly Duties

The primary scriptural reference for the examination of leprosy and the role of the priests is found in Leviticus 13 and 14. According to Leviticus 13:2-3 , "When a person has a swelling or rash or bright spot on his skin that could become an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons who is a priest. The priest is to examine the sore on his skin, and if the hair in the sore has turned white and the sore appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is an infectious skin disease. When the priest examines him, he must pronounce him unclean."

The priests were tasked with the responsibility of examining the afflicted person to determine whether the condition was indeed leprous. This examination was meticulous, involving a series of observations and tests to ensure an accurate diagnosis. If the condition was deemed leprous, the individual was declared unclean and was required to live outside the camp to prevent the spread of the disease (Leviticus 13:45-46).

Purification and Restoration

Once a person was healed of leprosy, the priests played a vital role in the purification and restoration process. Leviticus 14 outlines the detailed ritual for cleansing a person who had been healed. The process began with the priest going outside the camp to examine the individual. If the person was found to be healed, the priest would then perform a series of rituals involving two live clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop (Leviticus 14:4-7).

The priest would slaughter one of the birds over fresh water in a clay pot, then dip the live bird, along with the cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop, into the blood of the slaughtered bird. The priest would sprinkle the blood on the person to be cleansed seven times and pronounce them clean. The live bird was then released into the open fields, symbolizing the person's release from impurity.

Following this initial ritual, the person was required to wash their clothes, shave off all their hair, and bathe in water. Afterward, they could re-enter the camp but had to remain outside their tent for seven days. On the eighth day, further sacrifices were made, including a sin offering and a burnt offering, to complete the purification process (Leviticus 14:8-20).

Significance in the New Testament

The role of the priests in examining and declaring individuals clean from leprosy is also referenced in the New Testament. Jesus, in His ministry, healed lepers and instructed them to show themselves to the priests as a testimony to their healing. In Luke 17:14 , Jesus tells the ten lepers, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." This directive underscores the continuity of the Levitical law and the recognition of the priestly authority in matters of ceremonial cleanliness.

The examination and declaration of cleanliness by the priests served not only as a health measure but also as a spiritual and communal restoration for the individual. It allowed the healed person to reintegrate into the community and participate fully in the religious life of Israel.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 14:2
This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought to the priest:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

In Joseph's Tomb
... Healer! Upon this occasion those who were thought to show indications
of the leprosy were examined by the priests. Many ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 80 in josephs tomb.htm

Penitence, as Explained in the Sophistical Jargon of the Schoolmen ...
... Their view of it examined. ... law, which ordained that the person cured of leprosy should
present ... satisfaction, in which they arrogate to their priests the right ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 penitence as explained.htm

Prolonged Agony
... The priests and deacons who were taking part in the ... The Pr??fect ordered him to be
examined by torture; but ... a sign into madness and hideous leprosy, and send ...
/.../chapter l prolonged agony.htm

Christ Teaching by Miracles
... He examined the case very carefully, and left some medicine ... And then, leprosy was
a disease which none but God ... The priests had sent him to their most famous ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/christ teaching by miracles.htm

Of Preparation.
... ark, and smote Uzziah with a leprosy for meddling ... wedding garment, or examining himself,
was examined by another ... when Judas and the high-priests were conspiring ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/i of preparation.htm

Homilies on the Statues.
... Lent, [989]471; not to be approached unless healed of sins ... 451; continual under
misfortune possible, [1425]459; aim of all, [1426]459 ... Leprosy of Miriam, [1486]475 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on the statues.htm

The Doctrine
... He doth not, therefore, apply these words to all, but to some, when he saith, "But
ye"; mark, ye, ye believers, ye converted persons, ye saints, ye that have ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the doctrine.htm