Ark of the Covenant - Bible History Online
Bible History

Schaff's Bible Dictionary


Definitions in Biblical History
 

A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    X    Y    Z   



What is Leprosy?
        LEP'ROSY
        a loathsome disease still prevalent in Egypt and Syria, and occurring also in India, China, the Crimea, and Norway. The bones and the marrow are pervaded with the disease, so that the joints of the hands and feet lose their power, the limbs of the body fall together, and the whole system assumes a most deformed and loathsome appearance. The progress and effect of the disease are described in Job 2:7-8, Jud 4:12; Esth 6:2 Job 7:3-5; Job 19:14-21. There are two forms of the disease -- the tuberculated, incrusting the whole person with ulcerous tubercles, and the anaesthetic, making the skin mummylike -- but under both forms "Death lives," and the diseased is a "walking tomb," "a parable of death." There was also a milder form of the disease, the so-called "white leprosy," often attacking only one limb, and generally curable, as when "Moses' hand ivas leprous as snow." Ex 4:6. Notice also the cases of Miriam, Num 12:10; Gehazi, 2 Kgs 5:27; and Uzziah. 2 Chr 26:16-23. Although the laws respecting this disease which we find in the Mosaic code are exceedingly rigid, it is by no means clear that the leprosy was considered contagious. The horror and disgust which was felt toward a disease so foul and loathsome might be a sufficient reason for such severe enactments, and strict seclusion was at all events an effective means of arresting the progress of the disease by preventing intermarriage between lepers and the sound. The leper was excluded from the tabernacle and the camp, and when he was healed his restoration to social intercourse with his fellow-men was twofold, performed both in the camp and in the tabernacle. Lev 14:3-32. A house for lepers was built outside Jerusalem on the hill of Gareb -- i.e., "the hill of scraping," Jer 31:40; Head of a Leper. Job 2:8 -- and the leper was compelled to wear mourning. Lev 13:45. With respect to the leprosy of houses and of clothes, Lev 14:55, the expression is only analogical, referring to the spots and disfigurations which appeared upon the walls and articles of clothing, resembling the leprous spots, and originating from a species of mould or mildew, indicating a great degree of dampness, corrupting the air, injurious to health, and often the occasion and precursor of fatal diseases. The rites ordained for cleansing and purifying this kind of "leprosy" are in their symbolical bearing strictly analogous to the laws concerning leprosy proper. Lev 13:47-59; Lev 14:33-53. See Leper.


Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'leprosy' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
bible-history.com - Schaff's

Copyright Information
© Schaff's Bible Dictionary


Schaff's Bible Dictionary Home
Bible History Online Home

 

Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
Online Bible (KJV)
Naves Topical Bible
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Schaff's Bible Dictionary
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Hitchcock's Bible Dictionary