Leviticus 13

2 leprosy. The name “leprosy” was given to a wide class of diseases of the skin very prevalent in Egypt and in Asia. It was sometimes inflicted as a special judgement for sin, and is hence called a plague, or stroke: see Numb. xii. 10; 2 Kings v. 27; 2 Chron. xxvi. 20. Leprosy is an apt symbol of sin and its effects; to which there are many striking references in the process of cleansing: see xiv., xv. Its symptoms and treatment are here described, not so much medically as ceremonially.

5 the priest shall look on him. Three varieties are mentioned, only two of which are malignant; and of these, one is not at first sight distinguishable from a harmless eruption. Hence the need of repeated inspection.

6 be somewhat dark. i.e., “be dim” (R.V.), or “faded.” So in subsequent verses.

13 if the leprosy, etc. In this case the whole matter of the disease came out into a dead white scurf, which soon fell off. Vers. 16 and 17 refer to a similar case of a speedy cure by the total eruption of the poison from the body, when the reddish raw flesh turns white.

23 a burning boil. Rather, “the burning (i.e., ’the scar,’ R.V.) of the boil,” which falls off when the cure is complete.

28 it is a rising of the burning. Or, “it is (only) the scar of the burn” (R.V.).

46 his clothes shall be rent, etc. Tokens of grief and humiliation; leprosy being regarded as a Divine infliction. See on ver. 1.

46 he shall dwell alone. Lest he should infect others. There are still, in some countries of the East, separate houses, and even villages, for lepers. So strictly was this regulation enforced, that even Miriam, the sister of Moses, was not exempted from it (Numb. xii. 15); nor, at a later period, was king Uzziah (2 Chron. xxvi. 19-21). See also 2 Kings vii. 3; Luke xvii. 12. Naaman remained in office; so that his case must have been of the milder order (2 Kings v. 1).