leprosy

In the OT a disorder affecting humans, fabrics, and houses. Different types of leprosy afflict persons (Lev 13). Though it is not clear what these skin diseases are, it is certain that they are not modern leprosy (Hansen’s disease). The plague in fabrics and houses is described as greenish or reddish spots (Lev 13:49; Lev 14:37), thus indicating a type of mold or mildew. Persons or objects afflicted with leprosy could pollute others. Anyone who enters a leprous house must bathe. If a person tarries there by eating or lying down, both bathing and laundering are necessary (Lev 14:46-47). A leper is to be excluded from habitations (Lev 13:45-46; Num 12:15; 2Kgs 7:3-4). When the person recovers from the affliction, purification rites are performed (Lev 14:2-20; Lev 21-32:2). Similar rites are performed for a renovated house (Lev 14:48-53). These purification rites are not for the removal of leprosy, but only for the removal of ritual impurity (Mark 1:44). Fabrics infected with leprosy are to be burned (Lev 13:52; Lev 13:55; Lev 13:57) and building materials so infected must be discarded outside the habitation (Lev 14:40-41, (Lev 14:45). There is some evidence that leprosy was sometimes considered a punishment from God for sin (Num 12:10-15; 2Kgs 5:27; 2Kgs 15:5; 2Chr 26:20-21), and the Gospels report that Jesus healed people afflicted with leprosy (Matt 8:1-4; Luke 17:11-19) and commissioned his disciples to do the same (Matt 10:8). Jesus is also reported to have visited the home of Simon the leper (Mark 14:3).