Tests for Leprosy
Chapter 13 deals with tests for leprosy. There were many different forms of
leprosy. The one spoken of here was a chronic infection that was constantly
present in the Middle East and was similar to psoriasis. It was not the
hopeless type that we hear about in the accounts of the Gospels. It was
characterized by the formation of nodules and ulcerations of the skin and at
its peak, it turned the skin white. It was highly contagious, which is why so
much attention was paid to it. It did, however, clear up in time.
In this chapter, 6 examples of leprosy and their treatment are given. In
each case, Aaron or one of his sons would examine and determine if it was
leprosy and prescribe the proper treatment.
- A spot on the body that swells or ulcerates. In this case, they
would look to see if the hair at the spot had turned white or if it
had ulcerated. If either were found, the person would be
quarantined for 7 days. At the end of the 7 days, he would be
re-examined and if it had not spread, he would be quarantined for 7
days more. If by the end of the second period, the spot had grown
dim, the person would be declared healed. If, on the other hand, it
had spread, the Priest would declare him unclean.
- A person that becomes covered with what is determined to be leprosy
shall be declared unclean and be removed from the rest of the
people. He will be examined from time to time and if his skin
heals, he shall be declared clean.
- In the case of the appearance of a boil that turns reddish white,
and then ulcerates, it shall be declared leprosy. He shall be
quarantined 7 days and then re-examined. If the spot spreads, he
shall be declared unclean. If it heals, he shall be pronounced
clean.
- If a burn of the flesh turns to leprosy, it shall be treated as in
the third case.
- If a rash appears on the head somewhere that itches, he shall be
quarantined for 7 days and if at the end of 7 days, it does not
appear to have spread and no yellow hair has appeared, he shall be
declared clean. But, on the other hand, if it had spread it shall
be called leprosy and not just an itching disease.
- If a man looses his hair but his head remains flesh colored, he
shall be declared clean. If reddish white spots appear, it will be
declared to be leprosy.
Rules for the Leper were:
- He shall wear torn cloths and let his hair hang loose.
- Should anyone approach him, he shall cry out "unclean".
- He shall live alone outside the camp.
Rules for the cloths of Lepers:
- Cloths shall be examined by the Priest and if they do not clear up
in 7 days, they shall be burned.
- If they clear up, they shall be washed and then examined and any
spots remaining shall be cut out.
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