Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

LEPROSY

A chronic, though not highly contagious, disease that primarily affects the skin, mucous membranes, and nerves, known also as Hansen’s disease. The cause is an organism, Mycobacterium laprae, identified by the Norwegian physician G. A. H. Hansen (1841-1912).

Most scholars agree that Heb. ṣaraʿaṯ, translated “leprosy” by most English versions (Lev. 13–14), should not be equated with Hansen’s disease. This term encompassed a variety of conditions characterized by chronic discoloration of surfaces, including human skin and the walls of houses (Lev. 14:34-57). Persons afflicted with ṣaraʿaṯ were regarded as impure, and Lev. 13:44-46 prescribes exile from the community for them. Some texts from Qumran apply even more comprehensive restrictions for “lepers.”

The sociological implications of levitical policies, if implemented, were probably significant. Bands of persons affected with ṣaraʿaṯ roam outside of cities (2 Kgs. 7:3). The cases of Namaan (2 Kgs. 5) and Uzziah (2 Chr. 26:16-21) show that even officials and kings with ṣaraʿaṯ were not exempt from negative social consequences. Early Christianity apparently disagreed with levitical policies. Jesus touches a “leper” (Mark 1:41) and commands his disciples to minister to them (Matt. 10:8).

Hector Avalos

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

LEPROSY

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)