Topical Encyclopedia Leprosy, a term used in the Bible to describe a variety of skin diseases, was considered a serious condition under Mosaic Law. Those afflicted with leprosy were subject to specific regulations to prevent the spread of the disease and to maintain the ritual purity of the community. One of the key requirements was that individuals diagnosed with leprosy were to dwell in a separate house, away from the rest of the population.The biblical mandate for isolation is found in Leviticus 13, where the priest is instructed to examine the individual suspected of having leprosy. If the disease is confirmed, the person is declared ceremonially unclean. Leviticus 13:46 states, "As long as he has the infection, he remains unclean. He must live alone in a place outside the camp." This separation served both a practical and a symbolic purpose, ensuring that the disease did not spread and that the community remained holy. The isolation of lepers is further illustrated in the account of King Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26. Uzziah, who was struck with leprosy as a divine judgment for his pride, lived in a separate house until his death. 2 Chronicles 26:21 records, "King Uzziah had leprosy until the day of his death. He lived in a separate house, leprous and excluded from the house of the LORD." The separation of lepers also extended to social and religious practices. Lepers were required to wear torn clothes, let their hair hang loose, cover their upper lip, and cry out, "Unclean, unclean!" as described in Leviticus 13:45 . This public declaration served as a warning to others and reinforced the leper's status as an outcast. In the New Testament, leprosy continues to be a significant theme, with Jesus Christ demonstrating His authority and compassion by healing those afflicted. The healing of lepers by Jesus, as recorded in passages such as Matthew 8:2-3 and Luke 17:12-19, underscores His power to cleanse and restore, both physically and spiritually. The requirement for lepers to dwell in a separate house reflects the broader biblical theme of holiness and the need for separation from sin and impurity. While the physical separation of lepers was a practical measure, it also pointed to the deeper spiritual truth of humanity's need for cleansing and redemption, ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 15:5And the LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper to the day of his death, and dwelled in a several house. And Jotham the king's son was over the house, judging the people of the land. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Epistle Lxiii. Limenius, Bishop of Vercell??, Having Died, the See ... Israel's Hope; Or, the Centre of the Target Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ; The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea The Desire of the Righteous Granted; Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ... The Pharisee and the Publican An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ... A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican Resources Why is leprosy talked about so much in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Naaman in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What can we learn from the story of Elisha and Naaman? | GotQuestions.org Leprosy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Leprosy: A Common Disease Among the Jews Leprosy: Ceremonies at Cleansing of Leprosy: Christ Gave Power to Heal Leprosy: Garments: Incurable Infected With, Burned Leprosy: Garments: Infected With, to Have the Piece First Torn Out Leprosy: Garments: Suspected of, But not Having, Washed and Pronounced Clean Leprosy: Garments: Suspected of, Shown to Priest Leprosy: Garments: Suspected of, Shut up Seven Days Leprosy: Healed: Disciples Empowered to Heal Leprosy: Houses: Ceremonies at Cleansing of Leprosy: Houses: Incurably Infected With, Pulled Down and Removed Leprosy: Houses: Infected With, Communicated Uncleanness to Everyone Who Leprosy: Houses: Suspected of, But not Infected, Pronounced Clean Leprosy: Houses: Suspected of, Emptied Leprosy: Houses: Suspected of, Inspected by Priest Leprosy: Houses: Suspected of, Reported to Priest Leprosy: Houses: Suspected of, Shut up Seven Days Leprosy: Houses: To Have the Part Infected With, First Removed, and the Rest Leprosy: Leprosy not Mentioned Above: Azariah Leprosy: Leprosy not Mentioned Above: Four Lepers Outside Samaria Leprosy: Leprosy not Mentioned Above: Simon Leprosy: Less Inveterate when It Covered the Whole Body Leprosy: Often Began With a Bright Red Spot Leprosy: Often Sent As a Punishment for Sin Leprosy: Parts Affected by The Beard Leprosy: Parts Affected by The Forehead Leprosy: Parts Affected by The Hand Leprosy: Parts Affected by The Head Leprosy: Parts Affected by The Whole Body Leprosy: Power of Christ Manifested in Curing Leprosy: Power of God Manifested in Curing Leprosy: Sent As a Judgment On: Gehazi Leprosy: Sent As a Judgment On: Miriam Leprosy: Sent As a Judgment On: Uzziah Leprosy: The Priests: Examined all Persons Healed of Leprosy: The Priests: Examined Persons Suspected of Leprosy: The Priests: had Rules for Distinguishing Leprosy: The Priests: Judges and Directors in Cases of Leprosy: The Priests: Shut up Persons Suspected of, Seven Days Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: Associated Together Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: Ceremonially Unclean Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: Cut off from God's House Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: Dwelt in a Separate House Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: Excluded from Priest's office Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: Separated from Intercourse With Others Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: To Cry Unclean when Approached Leprosy: Those Afflicted With: To Have Their Heads Bare, Clothes Rent, and Lip Covered Leprosy: Turned the Hair White or Yellow Leprosy: Turned the Skin White Related Terms |
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