Leviticus 13:47-59
[picture from DoItYourself.com]
Verses 47 to 59 (of Leviticus 13) describe how a leper’s clothes were to be treated by the Israelites in the Old Testament. If there were ‘marks of leprosy’ found on them, they were to be shown to the priest and he would quarantine the article of clothing for seven days. After seven days, he would declare it unclean (if it had spread) or clean (if it had not spread). If unclean, it would be burned. If clean, it would be deemed so and allowed to be used again.
Thoughts on the Passage
David Guzik reminds us that in Old Testament times, the term leprosy had a broad definition and could include some forms of mold or fungi. . .. The priests had to make careful determination to see if a garment might pass on a contagious disease or if it old still be used.
Robert Jamieson says “It is well known that infectious diseases, such as scarlet fever, measles, the plague, are latently imbibed and carried by the clothes. But the language of this passage clearly indicates a disease to which clothes themselves were subject, and which was followed by effects on them analogous to those which malignant leprosy produces on the human body--for similar regulations were made for the rigid inspection of suspected garments by a priest as for the examination of a leprous person.”
He continues, “It has long been conjectured and recently ascertained by the use of a lens, that the leprous condition of swine is produced by myriads of minute insects engendered in their skin; and regarding all leprosy as of the same nature, it is thought that this affords a sufficient reason for the injunction in the Mosaic law to destroy the clothes in which the disease, after careful observation, seemed to manifest itself. Clothes are sometimes seen contaminated by this disease in the West Indies and the southern parts of America [WHITLAW, Code of Health]; and it may be presumed that, as the Hebrews were living in the desert where they had not the convenience of frequent changes and washing, the clothes they wore and the skin mats on which they lay, would be apt to breed infectious vermin, which, being settled in the stuff, would imperceptibly gnaw it and leave stains similar to those described by Moses. It is well known that the wool of sheep dying of disease, if it had not been shorn from the animal while living, and also skins, if not thoroughly prepared by scouring, are liable to the effects described in this passage. The stains are described as of a greenish or reddish color, according, perhaps, to the color or nature of the ingredients used in preparing them; for acids convert blue vegetable colors into red and alkalis change then into green [BROWN]. It appears, then, that the leprosy, though sometimes inflicted as a miraculous judgment ( Num 12:10 2Ki 5:27 ) was a natural disease, which is known in Eastern countries still; while the rules prescribed by the Hebrew legislator for distinguishing the true character and varieties of the disease and which are far superior to the method of treatment now followed in those regions, show the divine wisdom by which he was guided. Doubtless the origin of the disease is owing to some latent causes in nature; and perhaps a more extended acquaintance with the archaeology of Egypt and the natural history of the adjacent countries, may confirm the opinion that leprosy results from noxious insects or a putrid fermentation. But whatever the origin or cause of the disease, the laws enacted by divine authority regarding it, while they pointed in the first instance to sanitary ends, were at the same time intended, by stimulating to carefulness against ceremonial defilement, to foster a spirit of religious fear and inward purity.”
All that to say that God knew exactly what He was demanding of the Israelites and why. That’s the lesson for us. Trusting God, the Creator in His laws and believing that they are for our ultimate good.
Finally, Matthew Henry provides us with some additional insights. He perhaps gives us the ‘spiritual’ significance of the passage when he writes:
“The signification also was . . . to intimate the great malignity there is in sin: it not only defiles the sinner's conscience, but it brings a stain upon all his employments and enjoyments, all he has and all he does. To those that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure, Tit. 1:15. And we are taught hereby to hate even the garments spotted with the flesh, Jude 23. Those that make their clothes servants to their pride and lust may see them thereby tainted with a leprosy, and doomed to the fire, Isa. 3:18-24. But the ornament of the hidden man of the heart is incorruptible, 1 Pt. 3:4. The robes of righteousness never fret nor are moth-eaten.”
So, there you have it. The bottom line is this. A physical disease can indeed affect our possessions. A spiritual disease affects everything we do and enjoy. People know when they have a physical disease. They often miss their own spiritual disease and its consequences.
It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.
