Topical Bible: Priests: Services of Deciding in Cases of Leprosy

◄ Priests: Services of Deciding in Cases of Leprosy ►

Topical Encyclopedia

In the ancient Israelite community, priests held a significant role not only in religious rituals but also in matters of public health, particularly in diagnosing and managing cases of leprosy. The term "leprosy" in the biblical context refers to a variety of skin diseases and conditions, not limited to what is known today as Hansen's disease. The primary biblical source detailing the priestly duties concerning leprosy is found in the Book of Leviticus, specifically chapters 13 and 14.

Biblical Mandate and Procedures

The Book of Leviticus outlines the responsibilities of the priests in diagnosing and managing leprosy. Leviticus 13:2-3 states, "When a person has a swelling or a rash or a 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 shall pronounce him unclean."

The priests were tasked with examining the affected individual to determine the nature of the skin condition. This examination was meticulous, involving a series of observations over time to ascertain whether the condition was indeed leprous. The priest would look for specific signs, such as changes in hair color within the sore, the depth of the infection, and the spread of the disease.

Isolation and Re-examination

If the priest determined that the condition was potentially leprous, the individual was isolated for a period of seven days. Leviticus 13:4-5 instructs, "But if the 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 shall 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."

This period of isolation served both as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the disease and as a time for further observation. After the second seven-day period, the priest would conduct another examination to determine if the condition had changed or spread.

Pronouncement of Clean or Unclean

The priest's role was crucial in declaring an individual clean or unclean. If the condition was deemed non-leprous, the person was pronounced clean and could return to the community. However, if the condition was confirmed as leprous, the individual was declared unclean and required to live outside the camp to prevent contamination, as described in Leviticus 13:45-46 : "The person with such an infectious disease must wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of his face and cry out, 'Unclean! Unclean!' As long as he has the infection he remains unclean. He must live alone; he must live outside the camp."

Cleansing and Restoration

In cases where a person was healed from leprosy, the priest played a vital role in the cleansing and restoration process. Leviticus 14 details the elaborate ritual for cleansing a healed leper, which included offerings and sacrifices. The priest would perform a series of rites, including the use of two live clean birds, cedarwood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop, as part of the purification process. The healed individual would then be reintegrated into the community after the completion of these rites.

Symbolic and Spiritual Significance

The priestly duties concerning leprosy carried symbolic and spiritual significance. Leprosy, often seen as a representation of sin and impurity, required the intervention of a priest to mediate between the individual and God. The process underscored the holiness required of God's people and the need for purity within the community. The priest, acting as an intermediary, highlighted the importance of divine authority in matters of health and spiritual cleanliness.

Through these services, the priests not only maintained the physical health of the community but also upheld the spiritual and ceremonial laws that governed the Israelites' relationship with God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 13:2-59
When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh a rising, a scab, or bright spot, and it be in the skin of his flesh like the plague of leprosy; then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest, or to one of his sons the priests:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 14:34-45
When you be come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put the plague of leprosy in a house of the land of your possession;
Torrey's Topical Textbook