Leprosy

An infectious skin disease. The leprosy mentioned in Scripture, however, covers a wider range of dermatological conditions than that now referred to as the modern Hansen's disease, known colloquially as leprosy.

Regulations for the control of leprosy

Sufferers are banned from society

Numbers 5:2 See also Leviticus 13:1–46; Deuteronomy 24:8–9; 2 Kings 7:3

“Command the Israelites to send away from the camp anyone with a skin disease, anyone who has a bodily discharge, and anyone who is defiled by a dead body.

Sufferers are banned from Levitical service

Leviticus 22:4

If a descendant of Aaron has a skin disease or a discharge, he may not eat the sacred offerings until he is clean. Whoever touches anything defiled by a corpse or by a man who has an emission of semen,

Sufferers are to report to a priest on being cured

Matthew 8:4 See also Luke 17:14; Leviticus 14:1–9

Then Jesus instructed him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift prescribed by Moses, as a testimony to them.”

The healing of leprosy

2 Kings 5:1, 2 Kings 5:14; Matthew 8:2–3 parallel Mark 1:40–41; Luke 17:12–15

Spiritual significance of leprosy

As a validating sign from God

Exodus 4:6–7

As a judgment from God

Numbers 12:10–15; 2 Kings 5:27; 2 Chronicles 26:19–23