Leprosy:
(Heb. tsara'ath, a "smiting," a "stroke," because the disease was regarded as a direct providential infliction). This name is from the Greek lepra, by which the Greek physicians designated the disease from its scaliness. We have the description of the disease, as well as the regulations connected with it, in Lev. 13; 14; Num 12:10-15, etc. There were reckoned six different circumstances under which it might develop itself, (1) without any apparent cause (Lev 13:2-8); (2) its reappearance (9-17); (3) from an inflammation (18-28); (4) on the head or chin (29-37); (5) in white polished spots (38, 39); (6) at the back or in the front of the head (40-44).
Lepers were required to live outside the camp or city (Num 5:1-4; 12:10-15, etc.). This disease was regarded as an awful punishment from the Lord (2Ki 5:7; 2Ch 26:20). (See MIRIAM; GEHAZI; UZZIAH.)
This disease "begins with specks on the eyelids and on the palms, gradually spreading over the body, bleaching the hair white wherever they appear, crusting the affected parts with white scales, and causing terrible sores and swellings. From the skin the disease eats inward to the bones, rotting the whole body piecemeal." "In Christ's day no leper could live in a walled town, though he might in an open village. But wherever he was he was required to have his outer garment rent as a sign of deep grief, to go bareheaded, and to cover his beard with his mantle, as if in lamentation at his own virtual death. He had further to warn passers-by to keep away from him, by calling out, 'Unclean! unclean!' nor could he speak to any one, or receive or return a salutation, since in the East this involves an embrace."
That the disease was not contagious is evident from the regulations regarding it (Lev 13:12,13,36; 2Ki 5:1). Leprosy was "the outward and visible sign of the innermost spiritual corruption; a meet emblem in its small beginnings, its gradual spread, its internal disfigurement, its dissolution little by little of the whole body, of that which corrupts, degrades, and defiles man's inner nature, and renders him unmeet to enter the presence of a pure and holy God" (Maclear's Handbook O.T). Our Lord cured lepers (Mat 8:2,3; Mar 1:40-42). This divine power so manifested illustrates his gracious dealings with men in curing the leprosy of the soul, the fatal taint of sin.
Leprosy: A Common Disease among the Jews
Leprosy: An Incurable Disease
Leprosy: Parts Affected By
The hand
The head
The forehead
The beard
The whole body
Leprosy: The Priests
Judges and directors in cases of
Examined persons suspected of
Shut up persons suspected of, seven days
Had rules for distinguishing
Examined all persons healed of
Leprosy: Ceremonies at Cleansing Of
Leprosy: Those Afflicted With
Ceremonially unclean
Separated from intercourse with others
Associated together
Dwelt in a separate house
Cut off from God's house
Excluded from priest's office
To have their heads bare, clothes rent, and lip covered
To cry unclean when approached
Leprosy: Less Inveterate When It Covered the Whole Body
Leprosy: Power of God Manifested in Curing
Leprosy: Christ Gave Power to Heal
Leprosy: Garments
Suspected of, shown to priest
Suspected of, shut up seven days
Infected with, to have the piece first torn out
Incurable infected with, burned
Suspected of, but not having, washed and pronounced clean
Leprosy: Houses
Suspected of, reported to priest
Suspected of, emptied
Suspected of, inspected by priest
Suspected of, shut up seven days
To have the part infected with, first removed, and the rest scraped, &c
Incurably infected with, pulled down and removed
Infected with, communicated uncleanness to everyone who entered them
Suspected of, but not infected, pronounced clean
Ceremonies at cleansing of
1 | Strong's Number: g3014 | Greek: lepra |
Leprosy:
akin to lepros (above), is mentioned in Mat 8:3; Mar 1:42; Luk 5:12, 13. In the removal of other maladies the verb "to heal" (iaomai) is used, but in the removal of "leprosy," the verb "to cleanse" (katharizo), save in the statement concerning the Samaritan, Luk 17:15, "when he saw that he was healed." Mat 10:8; Luk 4:27 indicate that the disease was common in the nation. Only twelve cases are recorded in the NT, but these are especially selected. For the Lord's commands to the leper mentioned in Matthew 8 and to the ten in Luke 17, see Lev 14:2-32.
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