Camp. The leper was not left to his own judgment to mix with society, as soon as he perceived himself cleansed. He had to send for a priest; and one of the most discerning among those who made it their employment to study in the court of the tabernacle, was commissioned to examine him. (Grotius) ---... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sparrows. Hebrew tsipporim. Septuagint, "little birds," which the law only determines must be clean; such probably as might be procured most easily. The leper was to present them, and kill one. But the priest sprinkled with its blood the other bird, which was tied with a scarlet ribband to the ceda... [ Continue Reading ]
_Living waters. That is, waters taken from a spring, brook, or river: (Challoner) not stagnant or rain water._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rightly. According to law. (Haydock) --- The number seven is used to denote perfection, ver. 15, &c. (Menochius) --- Field. An emblem of the liberty which the leper would soon enjoy. (Haydock) --- The pagans cast over their head the things which had been used for their purification. (Virgil, Eclogu... [ Continue Reading ]
Body, even to the feet, Isaias vii. 20. (Haydock) --- Probably with a pair of scissors. (Calmet) --- The Egyptians priests did so every third day, that nothing impure might be concealed. (Herod., ii. 37.) The greatest caution was requisite to prevent the return of the leprosy; and therefore, after t... [ Continue Reading ]
_A sextary; Hebrew log: a measure of liquids, which was the twelfth part of a hin; and held about as much as six eggs. (Challoner) --- For each of the victims a sacrifice of flour and oil was required. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Offered. Hebrew, "elevated, or waved," as Exodus xxix. 24._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Place; on the left hand of the altar of holocausts, chap. i. 11. This sacrifice is different from that for sin, ver. 19. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
Taking of the blood, &c. These ceremonies, used in the cleansing of a leper, were mysterious and very significative. The sprinkling seven times with the blood of the little bird, the washing himself and his clothes, the shaving his hair and his beard, signify the means which are to be used in the re... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blood. Septuagint and Syriac, "upon the place of the blood," on the person's ear, thumb, and toe._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Offering. Hebrew, "a trespass-offering to be waved," ver. 12, 24. --- Oil. The same quantity of oil is required as ver. 10. The rest is diminished two-thirds; only instead of the ewe and one lamb, two turtles or pigeons are substituted. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Trespass. Hebrew, "sin," ver. 19. The Chaldean and Septuagint agree with the original text. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_If there. Hebrew, "and I send the plague;" whence some infer, that this leprosy was an effect of God's special indignation against the owners of the house. (Muis; &c.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Become. If any thing was left in the house, it was deemed unclean, as soon as the priest had declared that the house was infected; and therefore, all was to be removed before he came, (Calmet) and might be used without scruple, unless some marks of leprosy appeared afterwards on the garments, chap.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Paleness. Hebrew, "greenish." (Haydock) --- Such spots are often observable in damp churches and cloisters, and cause the plaster to fall off. It is probable that little worms produce this effect. To prevent these vermin from spreading, Moses orders the whole house to be demolished and carried away... [ Continue Reading ]
_Scraped. Hebrew, "he shall scrape." But the Samaritan copy has, more properly, "they shall scrape." (Houbigant)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the house, that it may be no more infected; and for the people, to whom it belongs, that they may carefully avoid offending God, the avenger of all sin. Hebrew, "you shall make an atonement for the house," or for the sins of its inhabitants. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Stroke. Hebrew, "scurf," ulcers, wounds, &c. (Calmet) --- "The leprosy of the head or beard," Chaldean. (Montanus) (Tirinus)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be known when. Hebrew, "to teach in what day, &c.....This is the law of leprosy." (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER XIV.... [ Continue Reading ]