Priests as Physicians

Skin maladies in the ancient world had to be contained quickly to prevent them from spreading. The Bible gives no indication that Israel had medical professionals. Instead, priests fulfilled a double role as both religious leaders and physicians. When leprosy was suspected, priests were too. . .

* Diagnose the disease. The word examine is used numerous times in Leviticus 13 –14. God gave meticulous instructions for identifying the disease, which suggests that priests were to show patient, thorough care for its victims.

* Prescribe treatment. Isolation of the infected person protected others from the dreaded contagion while intricate processes were used to counteract the ravaging effects of the sickness (Lev. 13–14).

* Preserve possessions. Many of the Israelites were poor. God designed the sanitizing process to keep infected people from losing their property unnecessarily. A leper’s clothes were thoroughly cleaned rather than destroyed, preserving what might be his or her only possession (13:47–59). Similarly, the person’s house was carefully purged if possible rather than demolished (14:33–57).

* Sanitize the environment. In addition to preserving possessions, concern about the spread of the disease is evident in the careful process of cleaning and checking the patient’s possessions and residence (13:47–58; 14:34–47).

Taken from The Modern Life Study Bible