"צדגת or λέπρά"Leprosy and Leviticus, Chapters 13 and 14
I. What is sara'at? The Hebrew term translated Leprosy.
A. Root of the word ֶ"צךגת" means a "stroke" but later came to mean "one struck down." The idea being judgment from God.
B. The Greek word for the Hebrew word "sara'at" is "Lepra", translated "Leprosy."
C. In the 19th Century a Microorganism discovered by Hanson, renamed the disease to "Hanson's Disease."
(1) May also be called 'Hansenitis."
(2) Also known as "elephantiasis" or elephas.
D. Hansen's disease is known is two principle forms.
a. lepromatous form: soft spongy lumps developing into ulcers full of pus.
b. The tuberculiod variety. Less severe. Skin degenerates and nerves lose their sensitivity. Ulcers develop and sometimes the extremities fall off.
II. Question? Is "sara' at" and Hanson's disease the same?
A. Stated another way, are we identifying what the Bible calls Leprosy as Hanson's Disease.
a. Most modern commentaries deny that Leprosy is Hanson's disease.
b. It is a matter of being politically correct, since having this disease implies judgment from God for sin.
B. There are several reasons to equate "sara'at" with Leprosy.
a. First, except for Lev. 13:9-11, the early stages are all that is discussed.
b. Second, since the purpose was to identify Leprosy at the earliest possible stage, other forms of disease were noted and acted on.
c. Third, the objection that highly contagious persons like Naaman and Gehazi (2nd Kings 5: 1-4) were left free to walk around in society proves that the disease of the Bible is not the leprosy we know is unfounded, since, modern medical opinion cannot tells us if leprosy is contagious.
A. As to the argument that the leprosy of the Bible was just a case of psoriasis, we must raise these points:
a. Since Miriam was struck with Leprosy, how do we explain these words."
"Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from it's mothers womb with flesh eaten half away." ( Num.12:12). This seems to be more than just a case of psoriasis!
b. The King of Israel equated "healing" leprosy as an act of God. (2nd Kings 5:7).
III. The Conclusion of the Matter
A. Leprosy is mentioned in Leviticus chapter 13 and 14 especially with those persons declared to be unclean.
a. Leviticus 13: 1-59 provides a description of many skin disease's .
b. Chapter 14 gives us the cleansing ritual; now to the text. i
B. It must also be noted that a Leper was cleansed by a guilt (sin) offering. Lev. 14:12
An Examination of the Text: Leviticus Chapter 13
I. The Seven TYPES of Leprosy.
A. The Bright Spot Leper (or sinner) 13:4-8
1. Life becomes prematurely "old" i.e. white hair in youth.
2. Depression sets in.
3. If he is "shut up to God" in deep repentance, he may be made clean.
B. The "Second time" Leper. 13:9-17
1. His sin is much more painful---"raw flesh."
2. If he is willing to give himself up as unable at all to help himself--"sin will completely overcome me"--is his honest confession. In this is the power and principle of healing. (Must turn himself over to the High Priest).
3. Even "raw flesh" can "turn again" and be clean. And what a joy this testimony can be.
C. The "old wound, or scar" leper, i.e. "I will forgive but will not forget." (13:18-23) Such an attitude will bring us into bondage.
1. Deeper than mere surface wounds.
2. Consider is for "seven days' i.e. a short period of time and repent, lest we be left outside the gate forever.
3. Even an old wound can be healed.
D. The "Quick Burn" Leper 13: 24-28
1. First - fresh skin can turn into leprosy.
2. If we get beneath the skin, it can soon become tragic and old.
3. God can recreate us in 7 days of prayer and repentance. Never to late.
E. Leprosy of the Head. 13: 29-37 (13: 38,39 is harmless ringworms)
1. Acquiring "gold" is a loss, not a gain.
2. The loss of hair and beard may be a great gain (intellectual arrogance and sensual vanity).
3. Such leprosy is deceptive. It can return if we are not careful.
F. Bald Leprosy - 13: 40-44
1. All can see it - do we care? We will go to the priest?
2. He is unclean no matter what he does.
3. Bald sin is no worse than hidden sin. It can be forgiven and cleaned.
G. Garment Leprosy.
1. People judge us by our attitudes. They cover us like a garment. What if they are Leprous?
2. Diseased attitudes affect us in all walks of life. No matter if we are wearing, linen, wool or leather.
3. You have a choice, either wash it or burn it!
There are Three Attitudes to be taken by all Lepers
1. "Blessed are those who mourn" (keep mourning - a continuing action verb) Rend your clothes and forget about your hair!
2. Hide your pride. "cover your beard" Take cover under the righteousness of the High Priest.
3. Keep on admitting you have been - are now and always will be "unworthy" to be called clean. We are save by grace and not on the basis of earned merit.
Cleaning a Leprous Home
I. God marks the house of the Leper.
a. Identifies the contagious home.
b. One who owns house must tell priest! v. 35
II. The house must be emptied out! v. 36
a. A general inspection takes place. v. 37
b. If home has symptoms then home is quarantined 7 days v. 38.
c. After 7 days, if spread, the stones must be removed. v.40
d. New stones installed.
III. If the disease returns after this the entire house must be torn down. v. 45.
a. Those who have gone in the house are also unclean.
b. Those who have slept in the house must wash clothes.
It is a fundamental thought of the Mosaic law that death is the extreme visible manifestation of the presence of sin. The human race now pays for that terrible deed that took place at Eden. (Romans Chapter 5) Death therefore is a sign and a consequence of the holy wrath of God against sinful man and is intrinsically attached to legal uncleanness (natural diseases and other aliments of nature.) All disease is a forerunner of death, an incipient dying; and is thus no less of a reality than actual death, a visible manifestation of the presence and the power of sin working in the body to bring about death. And yet, it is easy to see that it would have been impracticable to carry out a law that therefore used all diseases to render a person ceremonially unclean, while on the other hand, Israel and we ought to be constantly reminded of the connection between sin and death and disease is the beginning of death. What would have been more fitting then this, one disease which without exaggeration is of all diseases the most loathsome which is most manifestly a visible representation of that which is in a measure true of all disease, that is death at work in life, that disease which is, not merely rhetorical sense, but in fact a living image of death - should be selected from all others to illustrate the principle of sin and death and of course we are speaking of Leprosy. (Kellogg)
By Lane