Topical Bible: Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: Associated Together

◄ Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: Associated Together ►

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

Topical Encyclopedia

Leprosy, a chronic infectious disease mentioned frequently in the Bible, is characterized by skin lesions and nerve damage. In biblical times, it was considered a severe affliction, often associated with ritual impurity and social isolation. The disease is prominently featured in the Old and New Testaments, where those afflicted were often found in groups, living together due to their shared condition and the societal need to isolate them from the healthy population.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, leprosy is addressed extensively in the Mosaic Law, particularly in Leviticus 13 and 14. The law provided detailed instructions for diagnosing and managing the disease, emphasizing the need for isolation to prevent its spread. Those diagnosed with leprosy were required to live outside the camp or city, as seen in Leviticus 13:46: "As long as he has the infection, he remains unclean. He must live alone in a place outside the camp."

The communal living of lepers is implied in several passages. For instance, in 2 Kings 7:3, we find four leprous men at the entrance of the city gate during the siege of Samaria. Their collective decision-making and actions highlight the association of lepers with one another: "Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the gate, and they said to one another, 'Why should we sit here until we die?'"

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, leprosy continues to be a significant concern, and those afflicted are often depicted in groups. The Gospel of Luke provides a notable account in Luke 17:12-13: "As He entered one of the villages, He was met by ten lepers. They stood at a distance and raised their voices, shouting, 'Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!'" This passage illustrates the communal nature of lepers, who, despite their isolation, found companionship and solidarity among themselves.

The healing of lepers by Jesus is a testament to His compassion and power, transcending the social and religious barriers of the time. In Matthew 8:2-3, a leper approaches Jesus, and He heals him with a touch, saying, "I am willing, be cleansed." This act not only restores the leper's health but also reintegrates him into society, breaking the isolation that had defined his existence.

Cultural and Religious Implications

The association of lepers with one another in biblical times reflects the cultural and religious implications of the disease. Leprosy was not only a physical ailment but also a symbol of sin and impurity. The communal living of lepers served as a means of mutual support and survival in the face of societal rejection. It also underscored the need for divine intervention, as human efforts were insufficient to cure the disease or restore the afflicted to their communities.

The biblical accounts of leprosy and those afflicted with it highlight themes of compassion, healing, and restoration. They serve as powerful reminders of the transformative power of faith and the inclusive nature of God's love, as demonstrated through the ministry of Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 7:3
And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 17:12
And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Lord and the Leper
... Oh that you who are afflicted with moral and spiritual leprosy could believe in ... He
wanted really to be delivered from the leprosy; to have those dry scales ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/the lord and the leper.htm

The First Evangelists
... clothe the naked, and comfort the suffering and afflicted. ... who can cleanse the soul
from the leprosy of sin. ... that the sick, the unfortunate, those possessed of ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 37 the first evangelists.htm

Intercessory Prayer
... of the poor, the sick, the afflicted, the tempted ... with leprosy, Moses prayed, and
the leprosy was removed. ... I cannot vouch for the accuracy of those tales, but I ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/intercessory prayer.htm

The First Book
... by equal consolations, for though he was afflicted in many ... acted contrary to his
command, when those who merely ... of her sentence, and in her leprosy she paid ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the first book.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... to those who were born again, the resurrection was passed. The individuals who
promulgated these opinions, do not appear to have been associated together as a ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm

The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea
... them.* They assigned the first place to those elements which ... which from all antiquity
has been associated with the ... Ocean whence Anu and Bel, together with all ...
/.../chapter iithe temples and the.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... of Uzziah is recorded, and where the leprosy by which ... such as Damascus or Israel,
much less those of Hamath ... and now that Nature herself had afflicted them with ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... and with his conversion his rule was associated with that ... no power who do not hasten
to aid those obedient to ... to be washed clean from the old leprosy, and to ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm