XIII. (1) AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES AND AARON. — As laws of leprosy chiefly concerned the priests, who had to examine the symptoms and to decide whether they indicated the distemper or not, the Lord addressed the regulations to Aaron as well as to Moses. The leprosy discussed in this and the fo... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE HAIR IN THE PLAGUE IS TURNED WHITE. — Better, _and the hair in the plagued spot, &c._ The first symptom indicating the existence of the disorder is that the hair, which is generally jet-black among the Hebrews, turns white on the affected spot. The authorities during the second Temple defin... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THE BRIGHT SPOT BE WHITE. — But if upon inspection there merely appeared a white spot in the skin, and the above named two symptoms were absent, the case was not to be decided. THEN THE PRIEST SHALL SHUT UP HIM THAT HATH THE PLAGUE. — The individual thus suspected was to be separated from the re... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE PRIEST SHALL LOOK ON HIM. — If at the end of a week there is no alteration in the symptoms, the case must be adjourned for another seven days. The same priest who inspected it at the first must examine it again, as another one could not tell whether it has spread or not. If the priest died i... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE PRIEST SHALL LOOK ON HIM AGAIN. — If, on further examination at the end of another week, the priest finds that the bright spot looks darker, and that it has not spread, he is to pronounce the patient clean, and set him at liberty, since it was simply an ordinary scurf; but though not leprous... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF THE SCAB SPREAD. — As Leviticus 13:5 prescribes that the priest who examines the patient after seven days’ quarantine, and finds no spreading of the affected spot, is to give another seven days’ quarantine, the verses before us declare what the examining priest is to do when he notices that t... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE PLAGUE OF LEPROSY IS IN A MAN. — The second case, discussed inverses 9-17, is of leprosy re-appearing after it has been cured, when a somewhat different treatment is enjoined. In its re-appearance, as in its first manifestation, the patient is forthwith to be brought to the priest.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THE RISING BE WHITE. — If the distemper actually returns, one of two symptoms indicates it. A white rising will be noticed in the skin, which changes the black hair into white. The white hair only then indicates the disorder when it co-exists with the white rising or swelling which produced it. I... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS AN OLD LEPROSY. — Either of these symptoms showed that it was the re-appearance of the old distemper, and rendered quarantine needless. The priest is, therefore, to pronounce him unclean at once.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF A LEPROSY BREAK OUT ABROAD. — There were, however, two phases of this returned distemper which exempted the patient from uncleanness. If the leprosy suddenly covered the whole body so that the patient became perfectly white, in which case there could be no appearance of live flesh, then he wa... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WHEN RAW FLESH APPEARETH. — Rather, _but in the day when sound flesh appeareth again,_ that is, whenever patches of natural flesh appear intermingled with the white scurf, he forthwith becomes unclean, since this showed that the disease had not exhausted itself. Because it is here said, “But in... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE PRIEST SHALL SEE THE RAW FLESH. — Rather, _the sound flesh._ It will be seen that it is the sound flesh only, and not the white hair, which renders the patient unclean.... [ Continue Reading ]
OR IF THE RAW FLESH TURN AGAIN. — Rather, _yet if the sound flesh changeth again and becometh,_ &c. As soon, however, as the patches of sound flesh resume the white colour, so that the whole body is again white, without exhibiting any spots, the patient is to betake himself to the priest, who, after... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FLESH ALSO, IN WHICH. — Rather, _and if there is in the skin of the flesh a boil._ The third case, discussed in Leviticus 13:18, is of leprosy developing itself from a healed boil, or from an inflammation which has apparently been healed. According to those who administered the law in the time o... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IN THE PLACE OF THE BOIL. — If the cicatriced sore breaks out again, and exhibits the usual symptoms of leprosy, the patient is to show himself to the priest. WHITE, AND SOMEWHAT REDDISH. — Better, _of a white-reddish colour._ This symptom is peculiar to re-opened cicatriced sores, and hence ha... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, IT BE IN SIGHT LOWER THAN THE SKIN. — Better, _Behold, its appearance is lower than the other skin._ If upon examination the priest finds that the spot has assumed a deeper appearance than the rest of the skin, and the hair turned white — which were the two critical symptoms — he forthwith d... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF THE PRIEST. — In the absence, however, of these two symptoms, the patient is to be put in quarantine for one week only.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF IT SPREAD MUCH ABROAD. — If, on inspecting it again at the end of the seven days’ seclusion, the priest finds that the spot has spread, it was evident that the blood was vitiated, and that the distemper began to develop in the body. IT IS A PLAGUE. — That is, of leprosy. The word “leprosy,”... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF THE BRIGHT SPOT STAY. — As the spreading of the spot is a sure sign of the disease lurking in the system, its continuing in the same condition showed that it was simply the re-opening of the boil. The priest is therefore to pronounce the patient clean, or clear of leprosy.... [ Continue Reading ]
OR IF THERE BE ANY FLESH, IN THE SKIN WHEREOF THERE IS. — Rather, _or if there is in the skin of the flesh._ As a burn or inflammation arising from contact with pitch or hot water was adduced in Leviticus 13:18, the verse before us specifies a sore, pustule, or blister occasioned by “a burning of fi... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE PRIEST SHALL LOOK. — If upon examination the priest finds that the hair which was before black has now turned white. AND IT BE IN SIGHT DEEPER THAN THE SKIN. — Better, _and its appearance is deeper than the other skin._ (See Leviticus 13:3; Leviticus 13:20.)... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF THE PRIEST LOOK ON IT. — IF these symptoms are absent, the same directions are to be followed as laid down in Leviticus 13:21, in the case of a boil or an inflammation.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE PRIEST SHALL LOOK. — The directions here given as to what the priest is to do at the end of the week’s quarantine are the same as those given in Leviticus 13:23. It will be seen that there is a difference in the treatment of the suspicious symptoms in case No. 1, and in the case before us, N... [ Continue Reading ]
IF A MAN OR WOMAN. — The fourth case, discussed in Leviticus 13:29, is leprosy on the head or chin. Cases where this distemper attacks first the hairy parts are not uncommon.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, IF IT BE IN SIGHT DEEPER. — Better, _Behold, if its appearance is deeper._ The first symptom of its existence is the same as usual — the depression of the affected spot. AND THERE BE IN IT A YELLOW THIN HAIR. — Whilst the symptom of leprosy in other parts of the body consisted of the hair tu... [ Continue Reading ]
IT BE NOT IN SIGHT DEEPER THAN THE SKIN. — Better, _its appearance is not deeper than the other skin._ If the first symptom which manifests itself in the depression of the affected spot is absent. AND THAT THERE IS NO BLACK HAIR IN IT. — Better, _but there is no black hair in it;_ that is, the healt... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SCALL BE NOT IN SIGHT DEEPER THAN THE SKIN. — Better, _the appearance of the scall is not deeper than the other skin._ If at the expiration of the seven days’ quarantine, the priest, on examining the spot which had a resemblance to leprosy, finds that it has not developed those signs which this... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL BE SHAVEN. — The priest, for the sake of making sure, and to be able to examine the patient more thoroughly, is to have his head and beard shaved. This operation was performed by professional barbers, who were always on the spot. BUT THE SCALL SHALL HE NOT SHAVE. — The place, however, wher... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IN THE SEVENTH DAY. — If at the expiration of the second week of quarantine the priest sees that none of the symptoms which generally indicate this distemper have appeared, he is to pronounce him clean, upon which, after performing the necessary ablutions, he is restored to the privileges of the... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF THE SCALL SPREAD. — If, after the scall had remained stationary for a fortnight, and the patient had been pronounced clean, he is brought again because the scall had spread after the lapse of the two quarantines, he is to be forthwith pronounced unclean, whether it was accompanied by yellow h... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF THE SCALL BE IN HIS SIGHT AT A STAY. — Better, _But if the appearance of the scall hath remained the same._ AND THAT THERE IS BLACK HAIR GROWN UP THEREIN. — Better, _And if black hair hath,_ &c. If, in addition to its not spreading, the healthy colour of the hair has returned, it shows that... [ Continue Reading ]
IF A MAN ALSO OR A WOMAN. — The fifth case, discussed in Leviticus 13:38, is the harmless leprosy, which does not render the patient unclean. BRIGHT SPOTS, EVEN WHITE BRIGHT SPOTS. — These white spots, which are of unequal size, and a little higher than the skin, generally appeared on the neck and... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE PRIEST SHALL LOOK. — If the priest, upon examination, finds that these elevated spots are of a dull or palish white colour, then he is to pronounce the patient clean, that is, free of leprosy, since it is simply a white eruption or tetter, which lasts for a few months, causes no inconvenien... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE MAN WHOSE HAIR IS FALLEN OFF — Better, _And if a man loseth the hair of his head._ The sixth and last case, discussed in Leviticus 13:40, is leprosy either at the back or in the front of the head. Though baldness in itself was regarded as a disgrace, and often looked upon as a Divine punishm... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE THAT HATH HIS HAIR FALLEN OFF — Rather, _And if he loseth the hair of his head._ HE IS FOREHEAD BALD. — This, which according to the administrators of the law, was from the crown of the head descending to his face, and constituted the man a _gibbèach,_ was also not a sign of leprosy.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF THERE BE IN THE BALD HEAD. — Better, _But if there be in the bald backhead._ But if a reddish-white eruption appears either in the hinder or fore part of the bald head, resembling that which arises in the place of healed boils (see Leviticus 13:19), then it indicates the existence of leprosy.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE PRIEST SHALL LOOK. — It is then the duty of the priest to ascertain whether the white-reddish rising in the bald backhead or bald forehead is in appearance like the leprosy in the skin of the flesh described in Leviticus 13:2, excepting, of course, the white hair, which in this case could n... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS CLOTHES SHALL BE RENT. — As leprosy was regarded as a visitation from God for sin committed by the person thus afflicted, the patient is to rend his garments like one mourning for the dead. (See Leviticus 21:10.) During the second Temple the administrators of the law exempted leprous women from... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL DWELL ALONE. — In consequence of his extreme defilement, the leper had to live in seclusion outside the camp or city (Numbers 5:1; Numbers 13:10; 2 Kings 7:3, &c.). According to the legislation during the second Temple, if he stood under a tree and a clean person happened to pass by, he def... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GARMENT ALSO THAT. — Better, _And if a garment hath._ The fact that the same phrase, “plague of leprosy,” is used both in the case of garments and of human beings, and that the symptoms and working of leprous garments and those of leprous men are identical, shows beyond doubt that the same diste... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF THE PLAGUE BE GREENISH. — IF ONE OF these symptoms manifests itself in a woollen or linen garment, or in a leathern vessel, it must forthwith be shown to the priest. The Jewish canons define the colour of the green symptom to be like that of herbs, and that of the red to be like fair crimson... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE PRIEST SHALL LOOK. — If upon examination the priest finds that the garment or vessel in question exhibits one of these symptoms, he must put it in quarantine for a week, as in the case of a human being. (See Leviticus 13:4.)... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SHALL LOOK ON THE PLAGUE. — If at the end of the week, when the priest examines it again, he finds that the distemper has spread, it undoubtedly indicates malignant leprosy. Here, again, the symptom of spreading is the same in the garment as in the human being. (See Leviticus 13:5; Leviticus... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL THEREFORE BURN. — As this distemper could never be eradicated from stuffs, the garments which have once become possessed of leprosy had to be burnt.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF THE PRIEST SHALL LOOK. — If, however, after a week’s quarantine, the priest on examination finds that the disease has not spread, he must order the affected garments to be washed, and shut them up for another week, when it will be seen whether the colour has changed, and the distemper has dis... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE PLAGUE BE NOT SPREAD. — Better, _though the plague hath not spread._ If after the washing of the affected spot the priest finds that its appearance has not changed, it must nevertheless be burnt, since the retention of the suspicious colour indicates that it is leprosy. IT IS FRET INWARD, W... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, THE PLAGUE BE SOMEWHAT DARK. — But if after the washing the priest finds that the suspicious colour has changed from green or red into a darkish colour, and the spot has contracted, he is to cut out the affected spot and burn it, and declare the garment itself clean. (See Leviticus 13:6.)... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF IT APPEAR STILL. — If, after the affected piece has been cut out and burnt, the distemper appears again in another part of the garment or skin, it indicates beyond doubt that it is spreading leprosy; the garment must therefore be entirely destroyed, as in stuffs this disorder is incurable.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE GARMENT... — According to Leviticus 13:54; Leviticus 13:56, the suspicious symptoms often disappeared after the stuffs had been washed and put in quarantine for a week, thus showing that it was not real leprosy. But though non-leprous, the garments had to be washed a second time before they... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS THE LAW OF THE PLAGUE OF LEPROSY. — That is, the above-mentioned regulations are to guide the priests in their decisions whether a garment or leathern utensil is leprous or not, and in their declaration of its being clean or defiling.... [ Continue Reading ]