Leprosy: An Incurable Disease
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Topical Encyclopedia
Leprosy, known in biblical times as a severe and dreaded skin disease, is frequently mentioned in the Scriptures. It is often associated with divine judgment and ritual impurity, reflecting the cultural and religious perceptions of ancient Israel. The Hebrew term "tzaraath" is commonly translated as "leprosy" in English Bibles, though it likely encompassed a range of skin conditions beyond what is known today as Hansen's disease.

Biblical References and Descriptions

Leprosy is first introduced in the Pentateuch, where it is detailed extensively in the Mosaic Law. Leviticus 13 and 14 provide comprehensive instructions for diagnosing and managing leprosy, emphasizing the role of the priest in determining the presence of the disease. 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 must pronounce him unclean."

The afflicted individual was declared "unclean" and was required to live outside the camp, isolated from the community to prevent the spread of the disease (Leviticus 13:45-46). This separation underscores the social and spiritual implications of leprosy, as it not only affected the physical health of the individual but also their ability to participate in communal and religious life.

Leprosy as a Symbol of Sin and Judgment

In the biblical narrative, leprosy often symbolizes sin and divine judgment. This is evident in several accounts where leprosy is inflicted as a punishment for disobedience or pride. For instance, Miriam, the sister of Moses, was struck with leprosy for speaking against Moses' leadership (Numbers 12:10). Similarly, King Uzziah was afflicted with leprosy after arrogantly attempting to burn incense in the temple, a duty reserved for the priests (2 Chronicles 26:19-21).

These instances highlight the belief that leprosy was not merely a physical ailment but a manifestation of spiritual impurity or rebellion against God. The disease served as a tangible reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for repentance and purification.

Healing and Cleansing

While leprosy was considered incurable by human means, the Bible records miraculous healings as demonstrations of God's power and mercy. The healing of Naaman, the Syrian commander, by the prophet Elisha is a notable example. Naaman was instructed to wash in the Jordan River seven times, and upon obedience, his flesh was restored (2 Kings 5:10-14).

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ's ministry included the healing of lepers, showcasing His authority over disease and His compassion for the marginalized. In Matthew 8:2-3 , a leper approached Jesus, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man, saying, "I am willing, be clean," and immediately the leprosy was cleansed.

Ritual Cleansing and Restoration

The Law provided a detailed ritual for the cleansing and restoration of a healed leper, as outlined in Leviticus 14. This process involved sacrifices, washing, and anointing, symbolizing the reintegration of the individual into the community and the restoration of their relationship with God. The ritual underscores the importance of both physical healing and spiritual renewal.

Leprosy, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a profound illustration of the human condition, the consequences of sin, and the hope of redemption through divine intervention.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
2 Kings 5:7
And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man does send to me to recover a man of his leprosy? why consider, I pray you, and see how he seeks a quarrel against me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Lord and the Leper
... of the Lord Jesus Christ, believed that he could cure him of his incurable disease.
He felt that even if the great Lord had not yet healed leprosy, he was ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/the lord and the leper.htm

Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement.
... It is thought that God chose the leprosy as the symbol ... Being the most loathsome and
incurable of all diseases, it ... Elephantiasis is the most awful disease known ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxiv jesus heals a leper.htm

"Thou Canst Make Me Clean"
... diseases known in the East the leprosy was most ... Its incurable and contagious character,
and its horrible ... who was suspected of having the disease must present ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 27 thou canst make.htm

The Call of David.
... the Syrian to bathe in Jordan, and so he was healed of his leprosy. ... water wine,
multiplied the bread, gave water power to heal an incurable disease, and made ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon iv the call of.htm

Moody -- what Think Ye of Christ?
... He had but to speak the word, and disease fled before ... Physician, and in an instant
the leprosy is gone ... The world has hospitals for incurable diseases; but there ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/moody what think ye.htm

Job
... With Jehovah's permission a second assault is made, and Job is smitten with the
incurable and loathsome disease of leprosy, so that he is without hope in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/job.htm

A Little Maid
... with a disease so dreadful and repulsive that I cannot describe it to you. Let us
be thankful that leprosy is unknown here. It is not only incurable, but as it ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/a little maid.htm

The Ten Lepers
... Afflicted with a filthy and tormenting disease, hopelessly incurable, at least ... hearted
Jews, after they were cleansed from their leprosy: but, like ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxviii the ten lepers.htm

David's Cry for Pardon
... he thinks of it too as inhering in himself, as a leprosy and disease of his own
personal nature. He thinks of it as being, like that, incurable, fatal, twin ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/davids cry for pardon.htm

The Works of John Cassian.
... That covetousness brings upon the soul a spiritual leprosy. ... The remedies against
the disease of covetousness ... Of the incurable depravity of spiritual wickednesses ...
//christianbookshelf.org/cassian/the works of john cassian /

Resources
Why is leprosy talked about so much in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who 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 ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Leprosy

Leprosy Leper

Leprosy: A Common Disease Among the Jews

Leprosy: An Incurable Disease

Leprosy: Ceremonies at Cleansing of

Leprosy: Christ Gave Power to Heal

Leprosy: Entailed

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 by Jesus

Leprosy: Healed: Disciples Empowered to Heal

Leprosy: Healed: Miriam

Leprosy: Healed: Naaman

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: Infected: Garments

Leprosy: Infected: Houses

Leprosy: Infected: Men

Leprosy: Infected: Women

Leprosy: Isolation of Lepers

Leprosy: Law Concerning

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 Hereditary

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: Separate Burial of

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

Infectious (19 Occurrences)

Infection (24 Occurrences)

Leprous (27 Occurrences)

Pronounced (63 Occurrences)

Appears (38 Occurrences)

Fretting (6 Occurrences)

Pronounce (47 Occurrences)

Examine (48 Occurrences)

Examination (10 Occurrences)

Deeper (18 Occurrences)

Sore (156 Occurrences)

Spot (42 Occurrences)

Leper (34 Occurrences)

Cleansed (76 Occurrences)

Naaman (19 Occurrences)

Willing (152 Occurrences)

Woollen (4 Occurrences)

Woolen (6 Occurrences)

Fret (9 Occurrences)

Reddish (6 Occurrences)

Malignant (5 Occurrences)

Corroding (3 Occurrences)

Appeareth (31 Occurrences)

Scab (7 Occurrences)

Diseased (39 Occurrences)

Forehead (23 Occurrences)

Skin (115 Occurrences)

Appearance (126 Occurrences)

Mildew (26 Occurrences)

Uzziah (27 Occurrences)

Cure (28 Occurrences)

Farther (33 Occurrences)

Recover (37 Occurrences)

Plague (142 Occurrences)

Azariah (47 Occurrences)

Bright (85 Occurrences)

Clean (298 Occurrences)

Cleanse (75 Occurrences)

Boil (29 Occurrences)

Covered (325 Occurrences)

Na'aman (15 Occurrences)

Jotham (26 Occurrences)

Wheresoever (17 Occurrences)

White-reddish (4 Occurrences)

Instantly (39 Occurrences)

Itch (11 Occurrences)

Inflammation (6 Occurrences)

Infected (5 Occurrences)

Touched (96 Occurrences)

Rash (18 Occurrences)

Reddish-white (4 Occurrences)

Eruption (6 Occurrences)

Malignancy (2 Occurrences)

Miriam (13 Occurrences)

Bald (12 Occurrences)

Breaks (35 Occurrences)

Body's (3 Occurrences)

Covers (50 Occurrences)

Scall (9 Occurrences)

Stretched (234 Occurrences)

Swelling (14 Occurrences)

Elisha (70 Occurrences)

Cured (62 Occurrences)

Lying (203 Occurrences)

Spreading (74 Occurrences)

Straightway (96 Occurrences)

Deep (237 Occurrences)

Straight (196 Occurrences)

Disease (213 Occurrences)

Direct (58 Occurrences)

Abroad (120 Occurrences)

Immediately (141 Occurrences)

Lie (291 Occurrences)

Vessel (118 Occurrences)

Scale (38 Occurrences)

Wherever (107 Occurrences)

Uncleanness (56 Occurrences)

Departed (270 Occurrences)

Snow (25 Occurrences)

Leprosy: A Common Disease Among the Jews
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