Levítico 13:1-59

Leviticus 13:1-Acts : . General Procedure.— Certain classes of signs arouse suspicion. The priest is to inspect. If he sees them to be distinctly leprous, the patient is to be so treated; otherwise he is to be secluded for one or two periods of seven days; if there is no further spreading, he is discharged clean.”

Leviticus 13:1-Ruth : . First Case.— A ring or scab on the flesh. If there are white hairs more than skin-deep, the disease is present.

Leviticus 13:9-Esther : . Recovery of Cleanness.— The grounds for deciding as to whether the leprosy has run its course are as follows; if the hair is white and there is raw flesh, the patient needs no isolation for inspection purposes, the decision can be made at once; but if he is white all over, the disease is regarded as at an end; probably a case of leucoderma is in mind.

Leviticus 13:18-Isaiah : . Second Case.— A bright or pale spot occurring after a boil. The word for boil is used in connexion with Job’ s disease ( Job 2:7).

Leviticus 13:24-Hosea : . Third Case.— Symptoms in a burned place the same appearances are to be looked for by the priest.

Leviticus 13:29-Haggai : . Fourth Case.— Ringworm. The word translated “ scall” is from a root meaning to rub or scratch; an itching place. Here, the spreading occasions the danger.

Leviticus 13:38-Acts : . Fifth and Sixth Cases.— If the white spots are only dull, the eruptions are harmless. The root of the Heb. word for “ tetter” signifies “ shining.” An inflamed appearance constitutes what is dangerous; and here no isolation for inspection is necessary.

Leviticus 13:45 f. Duty of the Infected Person.— He is to tear his clothes, like a mourner; his hair is to be unkempt ( Leviticus 10:6), marking him out at once; and he is to cover his mouth— perhaps an ancient precaution to prevent the entrance or exit of a demon. Strikingly similar are the regulations for medieval lepers and pariahs in India; but how different from the attitude of Christ! Shrinking from ritual uncleanness is here clearly connected with popular and quite uninstructed fear and disgust.

Leviticus 13:47-James : . Leprosy in Garments.— No mere disease of wool is meant, or why should skin garments be included? The same isolation is prescribed as for human beings; the infected garment is to be burnt. If there is no sign of spreading, there is to be washing and further seclusion. A further inspection is then to take place. If the garment is found to be as it was before, in spite of the washing, the whole garment must be burnt; if it is dulled, the infected part is to be torn out and burnt; if there is a further appearance, the garment must be burnt; if not, after a second washing, the ban is removed.