Leviticus 13:1-59

Here we have a section (Chapter s 13, 14) wholly devoted to the subject of leprosy. The disease was dealt with as one which is loathsome, whose tendency is to spread, and which is contagious. The whole community must be zealously safeguarded. Therefore, there must be no carelessness in the method of dealing with leprosy.

In the instructions two principles of perpetual importance are manifested. The first is the necessity for guarding the general health of the community and the second is that no injustice be done to the individual in the interests of the community. These two principles are perpetual in their application. The State should ever have the right of inspection and examination. It should, however, use its right with the greatest care that no wrong be done to any individual.

The law provided that there should be most careful distinction made between actual leprosy and that which may appear to be leprosy. When the case was a clearly defined one, the method was drastic in the extreme.

The leper was to be separated at once from the whole congregation. Moreover, all garments likely in any way to have become contaminated were to be destroyed by fire.