Numbers 5:1-4

VII. ASSORTED LAWS (Numbers 5; Numbers 6)

A. EJECTION OF THE UNCLEAN vv. 1-4
TEXT

Numbers 5:1. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2. Command the children of Israel, that they put out of the camp every leper, and every one that hath an issue, and whosoever is defiled by the dead: 3. Both male and female shall ye put out, without the camp shall ye put them: that they defile not their camps, in the midst whereof I dwell. 4. And the children of Israel did so, and put them out without the camp: as the Lord spake unto Moses, so did the children of Israel.

PARAPHRASE

Numbers 5:1. Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2. Command the children of Israel that they put out of the camp everyone with leprosy, and everyone having a discharge, and anyone who is unclean because of a dead person. 3. You shall put out both male and female; you shall send them outside the camp so that they will not defile their camps, among which I dwell. 4. And the children of Israel did so, and put them outside of the camp; as the Lord spoke to Moses, so did the children of Israel.

COMMENTARY

Full details for detecting the initial symptoms of leprosy for isolating him for three successive weeks before being consigned to perpetual separation or restoration to society, and for his ultimate return in the event of its cure are given in Leviticus 13; Leviticus 14. The leper's expulsion from camp was immediate; his life must be spent where contact with others, even in the most casual manner, would be virtually impossible. Neither the Israelites nor any other ancient people have the vaguest concept of the manner in which the disease was spread. But the wisdom of such isolation would never be questioned today. The God whose hand was leading Israel long anticipated the discoveries of medical science in prescribing this treatment.

Other issues, discussed in Leviticus 15, are cause of defilement as long as they obtain. They might spring from a wide variety of problems, and the victim remained separate from the nation until the matter was overcome. The term issue would refer to any unnatural oozing of blood, pus, or any similar liquid from the flesh, other than as the natural consequence of an injury. We are told that, until the time of Maimonides at least, a common custom in the East required the women's isolation during menstrual periods, (ICC, p. 40).

Defilement also occurred as a consequence of contact with a corpse, (Leviticus 11:24; Leviticus 21:1), The former reference applies when the corpse is that of an unclean animal; the second exempts from the law of uncleanness one who has come in contact with the body of his near of kin. These laws of exclusion from the camp were put immediately into force, and obtained when the people occupied Canaan, as prescribed in Leviticus 13:45-46.

QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS

95.

Explain the reasons for such harsh treatment of lepers as this commandment requires.

96.

Review the laws relative to the period of isolation of one who is suspected of having leprosy. What provisions were made for his reinstatement into society if the problem disappeared?

97.

What various kinds of bodily issues rendered a man or a woman unclean?

98.

Why should an individual be considered unclean for having touched the corpse of an unclean animal?

99.

This is one of the all-too-few instances in which the Israelites are said to have complied fully and immediately with the commandment of the Lord. What other such instances can you find during the period of wandering?