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.