Purification of lepers (Leviticus 14: 1-9)

The term 'leprosy' amongst the Israelites did not necessarily mean the disease called by that name nowadays, but could mean any serious or unattractive skin disease. Such diseases were feared, and those who were victims of them were separated from the rest ofthe community and from the worship of God. A man who had become impure in this way could only be restored to the community of God's people after his impurity was cleansed. The priest was responsible for the decision to restore him to the community after his purification. This passage is referred to in Mark 1 :44.