Leviticus, 13
8. After examining him and certifying the spread of the scab over the skin, the priest will declare him unclean: it is a contagious skin-disease.
8. After examining him and certifying the spread of the scab over the skin, the priest will declare him unclean: it is a contagious skin-disease.
Leviticus 13 deals with how to identify and deal with leprosy, a contagious disease that was feared and considered impure at the time. The chapter details the symptoms and characteristics of leprosy, as well as the measures to be taken to deal with it. Below are five verses related to the topics covered in Leviticus 13:
Numbers 12:10: "And the cloud withdrew from the tent, and behold, Miriam became leprous, white as the snow; and Aaron looked at Miriam, and behold, he was leper." This verse describes the moment when Miriam, sister of Moses, was afflicted with leprosy as punishment for speaking badly of Moses. This shows how leprosy was feared and seen as a divine punishment at the time.
2 Kings 5:1: "Naaman, commander of the king of the king of Syria, was an important man in the eyes of his lord and very respected, because through him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was brave but leper." This verse highlights Naaman's social and military importance, despite its leprosy, and how the disease did not discriminate among people.
Luke 17:12-13: "Upon entering a village, ten lepers went to him, shouting, 'Jesus, master, has mercy on us!'" This verse narrates Jesus' encounter with a group of lepers who beg for his healing, showing that the disease was considered incurable at the time and that healing was seen as a miracle.
Mark 1:40-42: "A leper came to Jesus, pleading with his knees, 'If you want, you can purify me!" Jesus compassed him, held out his hand, touched him, and said, 'I want. Be purified!' At the same moment the leprosy left him, and he was purified. " This verse also highlights Jesus' ability to heal leprosy, which was considered incurable at the time.
John 9:1-3: "Walking, Jesus saw a blind man of birth. His disciples asked, 'Master, who sinned, this man or his parents, to be born blind?" 'Neither he or his parents sinned,' said Jesus, 'but this happened to manifest the work of God.' "Although this verse does not refer directly to leprosy, he suggests that the disease was not necessarily a punishment. Divine by sins committed, but could have other causes and purposes.
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