Leprosy (Signs and Treatment) Leviticus 13

Leviticus 13:9 "When the plague of leprosy is in a man, then he shall be brought unto the priest;"

The laws and tokens whereby the priest is to be guided in discerning the leprosy.

If anyone ask you where the Bible talks about leprosy, you can tell them it is discussed in detail starting with Leviticus 13.

Leper: a person afflicted with leprosy, a disgusting disease still common in Egypt, Syria and other Eastern countries. Comprehensive Bible helps.

The obvious question by some might be: If God knows the disease might afflict the people, why don't he just cast out the disease and heal those who have it? My short answer is: I don't know. Job might have a better understanding than me. My experience with cancer and health that continues to grow worse and two sons with a neurological disease has made me very much aware that bad things happen to people, that are hard to understand. I do not think I have ever blamed the Lord for any of it. I am but clay and deserve no good times but I have had many. I am thankful that we often get mercy where judgment would be justified. Remember the potter working with the clay? Does the clay ever say do not make me so? Or as the Lord told Job, Where were you when I put the thunder in the horses?

From our definition of leper we can see that the disease most likely came from Egypt while the people were enslaved there. That is also where the children of Israel got their idea of worshipping the calf that we studied previously. Fact is, it was sin that brought disease and such into the world. It is our final redemption that will take it away. When the earth is made anew and judged with fire, things will be different. In the mean time, I suppose man must endure the mess he has made for himself. Of course, we know that the Lord will help along the way and that is what the alert and actions to be taken with leprosy is all about. The actions are not only for worship purposes but will also help prevent the spread of the disease.

What did leprosy look like?

v3 " And the priest shall look on the plague in teh 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:"

It might be leprosy.

v4 "If the bright spot be white in the skin of his flesh, and in sight be not deeper than the skin, and the hair thereof be not turned white; then the priest shall shut up him that hath the plague seven days:

After the seven days, the priest checks to see if the spot has changed. Then seven more days the person is 'shut up' and afterward checked. If the spot has not changed, he is pronounced clean but if the spot spreads, it is pronounced leprosy and the person is said to be unclean.

Later, when leprosy has progressed to the point of covering all his flesh v13 ."...he shall pronounce him clean..." it is all turned white: he is clean."

From reading this I conclude that the disease is catching if the skin is raw and running. Once it is full blown and white there seems to be no danger of contamination.

The instructions read like a medical book. Instructions are given right down to the disposition of the clothing. The different variations of the appearance of the disease are given. It also covers the symptoms for when it is not leprosy.

The priest is doing the part of a doctor here as well as his priestly duties. I expect the priest whole thoughts are filled with those of whether something is clean or unclean from the offerings to the health of the people.

Proverbs 8:8-9 "All the words of my mouth are in righteousness, there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth and right to them that find knowledge."