Topical Bible: Leprosy: The Priests: had Rules for Distinguishing

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Topical Encyclopedia

Leprosy, as described in the Bible, refers to a variety of skin diseases and conditions, not limited to what is known today as Hansen's disease. In the ancient Israelite community, the priests were given the responsibility of diagnosing and distinguishing leprosy, as outlined in the Mosaic Law. This role was crucial, as leprosy rendered individuals ceremonially unclean, affecting their participation in community and religious life.

Biblical Instructions for Priests

The primary biblical text detailing the rules for priests in diagnosing leprosy is found in Leviticus 13 and 14. These chapters provide comprehensive guidelines for identifying leprous conditions and determining the appropriate response.

1. Examination Process: The priest was required to conduct a thorough examination of the individual presenting with a skin condition. Leviticus 13:2-3 states, "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 more than skin deep, it is an infectious skin disease. When the priest examines him, he must pronounce him unclean."

2. Isolation and Re-examination: If the diagnosis was uncertain, the priest would isolate the individual for seven days, after which a re-examination would occur. Leviticus 13:4-5 instructs, "But if the bright spot on his skin is white and does not appear to be more than skin deep and the hair in it has not turned white, the priest is to isolate the infected person for seven days. On the seventh day the priest is to examine him, and if he sees that the sore has not changed and has not spread in the skin, he is to isolate him for another seven days."

3. Determining Cleanliness or Uncleanliness: The priest's role was to determine whether the condition was indeed leprous and thus rendered the person unclean. If the condition healed or did not spread, the person could be declared clean. Leviticus 13:6 states, "The priest will examine him again on the seventh day, and if the sore has faded and has not spread in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is only a rash. The man must wash his clothes and be clean."

4. Rituals for Cleansing: For those who were healed of leprosy, Leviticus 14 outlines the rituals for cleansing, which included offerings and ceremonial washings. This process was essential for reintegration into the community and religious life.

Symbolic and Spiritual Implications

Leprosy in the Bible often symbolizes sin and its corrupting influence. The meticulous process of examination and cleansing underscores the seriousness with which sin and impurity were regarded in the Israelite community. The priestly role in diagnosing and cleansing leprosy reflects the broader spiritual responsibility of guiding the people in holiness and purity before God.

The rules for distinguishing leprosy highlight the importance of discernment and the need for divine guidance in matters of health and spiritual well-being. The priests, as mediators between God and the people, were entrusted with maintaining the community's purity, both physically and spiritually, through adherence to God's commandments.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 13:5-44
And the priest shall look on him the seventh day: and, behold, if the plague in his sight be at a stay, and the plague spread not in the skin; then the priest shall shut him up seven days more:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... and had not been obedient to our priests who warned ... cried out together, for the divine
power had anticipated him ... to be washed clean from the old leprosy, and to ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm

Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ...
... this task, for I will say the truth, as priests [4398] do ... dogs, what barking, or
cry, or young men who had occupied the exits according to the rules of the ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xliii funeral oration on.htm

Ancient Chaldaea
... The sign was revealed: the god who rules the rain ... When he had disappeared, those
of his companions who ... They supplied to priests and poets material for scores ...
/.../chapter iancient chaldaea.htm

A Case of Conscience Resolved
... there the law was read by the Jewish priests to the ... they should take heed in the
plague of leprosy, that they ... Yea more, If any of these high women had given it ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a case of conscience resolved.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican
... the Publican's leprosy was outward; but the Pharisee's leprosy was inward ... Nor, saith
he, that they had made themselves kings and priests unto God to ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.htm

A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
... was outward; but the Pharisee's leprosy was inward ... bundle of thy traditions,
righteousness had been imperfect ... God, or in his ministering rules of righteousness ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse upon the pharisee.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... dissenters of the Baptist denomination, I observed to a doctor of divinity, who
was advancing towards his seventieth year, that my time had been delightfully ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... will at the day of reward suffer loss; for this is the will of the Father that sent
the Son to be the Saviour of the world, 'That of all which he had given him ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm