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Leprosy (Leper)
Leprosy is a skin disease. In the original language, the word that is translated “leprosy” is used to talk about the scales on a fish. This may describe what the skin disease was like. A “leper” is a person who has leprosy. The word “leprous” is used to talk about a person or body part that is infected with leprosy. The Israelites had laws that told them what they should do about leprosy (see: Leviticus 13-14). God healed some people who had leprosy. God also gave people leprosy as a punishment. A person with leprosy or someone who touches a person with leprosy is unclean.
See: Israel; Law of Moses; Punish (Punishment); Clean and Unclean
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God made the hand of Moses leprous as a sign to Moses (see: Exodus 4:6). Moses also instructed Israel about leprosy in the Book of Leviticus. Moses told the Israelites to do similar things for leprosy as they did for mildew in clothing and buildings (see: Leviticus 14:54-55). The priests were told to separate the people with leprosy from the rest of the people. The story of four leprous men outside the city gate showed how they were separated (see: 2 Kings 7:3-10).
Miriam, the sister of Moses, became leprous for speaking against Moses (see: Numbers 12:10). Naaman was the captain of the army of Aram. Naaman was a leper. He traveled to Israel to be healed from his leprosy (see: 2 Kings 5:1-14; Luke 4:27). The servant of Elisha was struck with leprosy for lying to Elisha (see: 2 Kings 5:27). Uzziah became proud when he had victories in war. Uzziah disobeyed God by burning incense on the altar. God punished Uzziah by causing him to become leprous (see: 2 Chronicles 26:19).
Jesus and his disciples healed lepers (see: Matthew 10:8; 11:5). Jesus told some of the lepers he healed to go to the priest to obey the instructions in the book of Leviticus (see: Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12). Jesus healed ten lepers at one time. The ten lepers spoke loudly to Jesus because they had to stay away from other people. Only one came back to thank Jesus (see: Luke 17:12-19). One man was called “Simon the leper” (see: Matthew 26:6; Mark 14:3). The Bible does not say whether Jesus healed Simon the leper or not. However, scholars think Jesus did heal him.
See: Sign; Priest (Priesthood); Serve (Servant, Slave); Disciple