Leviticus 14:57 - to teach when it is unclean, and when it is clean. This is the law of leprosy.
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What does "Leviticus 14:57" mean?
Leviticus 14:57 is the conclusion to a detailed set of instructions concerning skin diseases referred to as "leprosy" (which in the Bible likely covered a broader range of skin conditions than modern leprosy). The verse, "to teach when it is unclean, and when it is clean. This is the law of leprosy," means:
"to teach when it is unclean, and when it is clean": The purpose of the elaborate procedures and examinations described in the preceding verses was to determine whether a person (or a garment or house) afflicted with a skin disease was considered ritually impure ("unclean") or ritually pure ("clean"). The priests were responsible for making this determination, and thus, they needed to teach others what the signs of each state were. They had to know and be able to explain to the people when someone needed to be separated from the community due to the skin disease (unclean) and when they could be readmitted (clean).
"This is the law of leprosy": This phrase summarizes the entire preceding section of Leviticus (specifically chapters 13 and 14) as the prescribed set of rules and regulations for dealing with these skin diseases. It emphasizes that this is not arbitrary; it is a divinely ordained legal framework.
In essence, this verse highlights the priest's role as a religious leader and public health official. They needed to be knowledgeable in diagnosing and determining the ritual status of skin diseases. The purpose was to maintain the ritual purity of the community according to God's commandments.
It is important to remember:
The "leprosy" described in Leviticus is not the same as Hansen's disease (modern leprosy). It likely encompassed a variety of skin conditions.
The concept of "unclean" in this context is primarily about ritual purity and separation, not necessarily physical hygiene or contagion in the modern sense.
The purpose of these laws was to maintain the holiness and order of the Israelite community and to emphasize the importance of separation from defilement.
Leviticus 14:57 - to teach when it is unclean, and when it is clean. This is the law of leprosy.
What does "Leviticus 14:57" mean?
Leviticus 14:57 is the conclusion to a detailed set of instructions concerning skin diseases referred to as "leprosy" (which in the Bible likely covered a broader range of skin conditions than modern leprosy). The verse, "to teach when it is unclean, and when it is clean. This is the law of leprosy," means:
"to teach when it is unclean, and when it is clean": The purpose of the elaborate procedures and examinations described in the preceding verses was to determine whether a person (or a garment or house) afflicted with a skin disease was considered ritually impure ("unclean") or ritually pure ("clean"). The priests were responsible for making this determination, and thus, they needed to teach others what the signs of each state were. They had to know and be able to explain to the people when someone needed to be separated from the community due to the skin disease (unclean) and when they could be readmitted (clean).
"This is the law of leprosy": This phrase summarizes the entire preceding section of Leviticus (specifically chapters 13 and 14) as the prescribed set of rules and regulations for dealing with these skin diseases. It emphasizes that this is not arbitrary; it is a divinely ordained legal framework.
In essence, this verse highlights the priest's role as a religious leader and public health official. They needed to be knowledgeable in diagnosing and determining the ritual status of skin diseases. The purpose was to maintain the ritual purity of the community according to God's commandments.
It is important to remember:
The "leprosy" described in Leviticus is not the same as Hansen's disease (modern leprosy). It likely encompassed a variety of skin conditions.
The concept of "unclean" in this context is primarily about ritual purity and separation, not necessarily physical hygiene or contagion in the modern sense.
The purpose of these laws was to maintain the holiness and order of the Israelite community and to emphasize the importance of separation from defilement.