When you hear the word leprosy, what do you immediately picture in your mind? A person with white skin and missing flesh as depicted in the movie The Kingdom of Heaven? Or perhaps you think of the social stigma associated with the disease as depicted in the classic movie Ben Hurr.

Those images represent a partial view of leprosy. When compared with all of Scripture, the picture is incomplete.

What Is Biblical Leprosy?

Biblical leprosy as seen in Scripture is a collection of various ancient skin disorders which were sometimes superficial and sometimes serious. This is distinct from modern day leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease. Hansen’s disease is a disease related to decreased sensation in various body parts including numbness, muscle weakness, and skin lesions caused by the bacterium Mycobacteriumlepraeor. 

Biblical leprosy could have certainly included Hansen’s disease, but the description provided in Scripture is not enough to know for sure. A person who had biblical leprosy could be either clean or unclean depending on whether their disease was contagious or not. Biblical leprosy was disfiguring but not disabling. Whereas Hansen’s disease was and is disabling. Some of the skin symptoms listed in Scripture include scabs, boils, burns, scars, scaly spots, bright spots, eczema, swelling, and raw flesh.

God, in his love for His people, provided instructions in Leviticus 13-14 to help protect Israel from the onslaughts of the disease. This is done by giving the people a diagnosis from His Word, what to look for in observing the progression or digression of the disease, and the command to isolate infected people. In some cases biblical leprosy was curable.

Leprosy Was Not Only for Humans

Garments (Leviticus 13: 47-59) of wool, linen, or leather could have a mark diagnosed as leprosy. In this case, the prescription was to place the item under observation and isolation. The infected garments would aid the priest in determining if the disease was contagious. Depending on the severity of the disease on the garment, the garment was either burned, washed, or the leprous mark torn out.

Houses could also be marked with leprosy (Leviticus 14: 34-48), and it would be dealt with according to God’s outlined procedure. Again we see God’s hand of protection for His people even to the level of things which are nonliving.

Here is what would happen in Israel if a house showed evidence of leprosy:

• If the owner of the house saw evidence of leprosy in the house, he would tell the priest.
• They emptied the house of all it’s contents.
• The priest would diagnose the mark.
• If the mark appeared deeper than the surface, they would quarantine the hose for 7 days.
• When the mark spread, they removed and replaced the affected stones and scraped and replaced the inside plaster.
• If the mark returned, it was considered malignant and the house was unclean.
• The house would then be torn down – stones, lumber, and plaster and removed to an unclean place outside the city.
• If any person entered the house, lay down or ate in it during the quarantine, they would be unclean and would need to wash their clothes.
• On the other hand, if the leprous mark did not spread, the house would be considered clean.

Leprosy on a home might be equivalent to molds and toxins which can cause sickness and disease.  Only recently have these principles come to our awareness in America.

An Interesting Thought

Notice who is diagnosing leprosy throughout this procedure – the priests. Yes there is a connection between sin and illness that God is trying to demonstrate, but I believe there is a greater application.

It Demonstrates:

God has shown His protective love for us by safeguarding communities from contagious diseases. The protective principle is demonstrated by diagnosis, treatment, observation, and necessary isolation, and the safeguarding includes personal cleansing, the washing of garments and linens, and the keeping of one’s house.

Those communities and individuals that practice such principles will be blessed – whether they are believers or not.

Application:

We don’t have priests to diagnose and isolate today. So how do we apply this information? God clearly teaches that His Word (all of it) is nutrient rich with living principles – i.e. wisdom principles. We can glean much wisdom from these passages.  Here are some practical ideas to consider.

Some Practical Ideas

• Obviously there is great importance in washing hands, clothes, walls, etc.
• Isolate ourselves from others when we are sick (contagious).
• Destroy clothes and items that show evidence of permanent contamination.
• Be careful about mold and toxins in the home (and do not hide it from others).
• Consider the warnings that skin conditions may signal in overall health.

Seek God for wisdom how to apply these principles personally. There are other practical ideas (wisdom principles) that will be shared in future posts that relate to the Leprosy Principle and the Do Not Touch Principle.

But next we will share a phenomenal story about a man who fought to bring some cleanliness principles into the medical establishment in order to save the lives of new mothers. The opposition he received (from the establishment) ultimately led to his death. This story continues Principle #1, Healthy Blood Through Cleanliness, in the Living Under God’s Design series.

Next: Healthy Blood Through Cleanliness: The Semmelweis Principle

Return To: Biblical Health Study

Disclaimer:

Reformed Health exists so you can take control of your own health and be all that God has designed you to be. The information shared on Reformed Health is the sole opinion of the author and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. None or our claims have been evaluated by the FDA or any other government organization. We are not medical doctors, nor do we have any medical doctors on staff. If you are having a health emergency, please call 911, contact your doctor, or visit a local emergency room. Always consult your doctor before engaging in any new exercise regime.

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Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

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© 2017 Mischelle Sandowich
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