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Leprosy is mentioned in Leviticus 13-14. In the context of cloth and walls, the 'leprosy" is probably mildew. In this issue, the concern is the identity of the skin disease.

When the English word, "leprosy," is used, the reference is to Hansen's Disease. Here are some links to pictures of the disease. You must use the "back" button on your browser to return to this page: Side of Face, Front of Face, Abdomen, Left Arm, Foot, and Hands.

However, the disease described in the text is not Hansen's Disease. G.J. Wenham in "The Book of Leviticus" (a part of "The New International commentary on the Old Testament" series, p. 195) offers four reasons: (1) there is no evidence that Hansen's Disease was noticable at this time in Israel's history, (2) the mentioned symptoms are not those of Hansen's Disease, (3) the areas insentitive to pain, the degeneration of the fingers and toes, and the facial nodules of Hansen's Disease are not mentioned, and (4) the English translation of the Hebrew word as "leprosy" is incorrect.

Concerning the final reason, the Greek translation of the Hebrew is lepra. However, elephantiasis is the Greek word for leprosy, not lepra. Since the English word, "leprosy," looks a little like the Greek word, lepra, some translations make the connection. They are wrong.

It is more probable that the skin diseases are Psoriasis, Favus, and Leucoderma or Vitiligo.

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March 13, 2003, edition -- © Ken Bowles, 1999-2003