Topical Bible: Defilement: Caused by Leprosy

◄ Defilement: Caused by Leprosy ►

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In the biblical context, leprosy is not only a physical ailment but also a condition that renders an individual ceremonially unclean, leading to defilement. This defilement has significant implications for the social and religious life of the Israelites, as outlined in the Old Testament, particularly in the books of Leviticus and Numbers.

Levitical Law and Leprosy

Leviticus 13 and 14 provide detailed instructions regarding the diagnosis, quarantine, and purification of leprosy. The term "leprosy" in the Bible encompasses a variety of skin diseases, not limited to what is known today as Hansen's disease. The priests were responsible for examining individuals suspected of having leprosy. If a person was found to have the disease, they were declared unclean: "The priest is to examine the diseased area, and if the hair in the infected area has turned white and the infection appears to be deeper than the skin, it is a leprous infection. The priest must examine him and pronounce him unclean" (Leviticus 13:3).

The defilement caused by leprosy required the afflicted person to live outside the camp, isolated from the community to prevent the spread of impurity: "The person with such an infectious disease must wear torn clothes, let his hair hang loose, cover his mouth, and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean!’ As long as he has the infection, he remains unclean. He must live alone in a place outside the camp" (Leviticus 13:45-46).

Purification and Restoration

The process of purification for a healed leper is meticulously detailed in Leviticus 14. Once healed, the individual must be examined by a priest and undergo a series of rituals, including offerings and sacrifices, to be declared clean and reintegrated into the community. This process underscores the seriousness of defilement and the necessity of divine intervention for restoration: "The priest shall go outside the camp to examine him, and if the skin disease of the afflicted person has healed, the priest shall order that two live clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop be brought for the one to be cleansed" (Leviticus 14:3-4).

Symbolism and Spiritual Implications

Leprosy in the Bible often symbolizes sin and its defiling effects on humanity. Just as leprosy isolates and defiles, sin separates individuals from God and the community of believers. The cleansing rituals for leprosy highlight the need for atonement and purification, pointing to the ultimate cleansing from sin through Jesus Christ. The New Testament recounts instances where Jesus heals lepers, demonstrating His authority over physical and spiritual defilement: "And a leper came to Him, begging Him on his knees, 'If You are willing, You can make me clean.' Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. 'I am willing,' He said, 'be clean'" (Mark 1:40-41).

Community and Compassion

The laws concerning leprosy also reflect the importance of community purity and the need for compassion towards those who suffer. While the afflicted were isolated to maintain the holiness of the community, the provision for their eventual restoration underscores the value of mercy and reintegration. The biblical approach to leprosy serves as a reminder of the balance between upholding holiness and extending grace.

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Leviticus 13:3,44-46
And the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and when the hair in the plague is turned white, and the plague in sight be deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is a plague of leprosy: and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean.
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Leviticus 14:1
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
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Leviticus 22:4-7
What man soever of the seed of Aaron is a leper, or has a running issue; he shall not eat of the holy things, until he be clean. And whoever touches any thing that is unclean by the dead, or a man whose seed goes from him;
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Library

Titus i. 14-Dec
... the witch, because Saul believed in her, he caused him to ... For that is uncleanness,
that is defilement. ... The leper is unclean." For sin is a leprosy, various and ...
/.../homily iii titus i 14-dec.htm

The Lord and the Leper
... he pined to be cleansed from its terrible defilement. ... omnipotence can as well deal
with leprosy as with ... God hath highly exalted him, and caused all fullness to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/the lord and the leper.htm

"Thou Canst Make Me Clean"
... It caused the people to flock to Him in such ... who came to Jesus was "full of leprosy."
Its deadly ... laying His hand upon the leper, Jesus received no defilement. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 27 thou canst make.htm

Miracles of Healing Solicited by the Sufferers.
... her faith working in her ignorance that caused her to ... He was "full of leprosy." Men
shrink more from skin ... Jesus visit the man who in deepest defilement of evil ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/v miracles of healing solicited.htm

In Joseph's Tomb
... the pain of the cross, that caused the death of ... thought to show indications of the
leprosy were examined ... a Gentile's threshold for fear of defilement, yet they ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 80 in josephs tomb.htm

On the Article, and in one Holy Ghost, the Comforter, which Spake ...
... when it is said, The spirit of whoredom caused them to ... the cure of the leper, and
the leprosy is thy ... eyes, and fled from the sight, and escaped the defilement? ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xvi on the article.htm

The Pattern of Service
... Has the benighted world ever caused us as much pain as ... a hand that does not care
for defilement, if it ... sickness, and it was whole; on rotting leprosy, and it ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the pattern of service.htm

The Withering Work of the Spirit
... or heal thy flesh, and leave the leprosy within thy ... has made thee see somewhat of
thy defilement; for thou ... going on for years, and it has caused much confusion ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the withering work of the.htm

Letter Lxxv. (AD 404. )
... were free both from roughness and from defilement; drinking of ... in which Uzziah was
smitten with leprosy when he ... tumult of his people, which was caused by the ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lxxv a d 404.htm

Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna
... Jews for their unbelief, which caused them to ... engraved, by the loathsomeness of leprosy,
exhibiting to ... of a servant, yet immaculately and without defilement. ...
/.../the writings of methodius fragments/oration concerning simeon and anna.htm