Of leprosy in the head, A. M. 2514. B. C. 1490. A. M. 2514. B. C. 1490. seventh day and if it be spread [ 36 Then the priest shall look An. Exod. Isr. 2. much abroad in the skin, then on him: and, behold, if the scall An. Exod. Isr. 2. Abib or Nisan. the priest shall pronounce him be spread in the skin, the priest unclean it is the plague of leprosy. 28 And if the bright spot stay in his place, and spread not in the skin, but it be somewhat dark; it is a rising of the burning, and the priest shall pronounce him clean for it is an inflammation of the burning. Abib or Nisan. shall not seek for yellow hair; he is unclean. 37 But if the scall be in his sight, at a stay, and that there is black hair grown up therein; the scall his healed, he is clean: and the priest shall pronounce him clean. 38 If a man also or a woman have in the 29. If a man or a woman have a plague upon skin of their flesh bright spots, even white the head or the beard; bright spots; 30 Then the priest shall see the plague: and, behold, if it be in sight deeper than the skin; and there be in it a yellow thin hair; then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a dry scall, even a leprosy upon the head or beard. 31 And if the priest look on the plague of the scall, and, behold, it be not in sight deeper than the skin, and that there is no black hair in it then the priest shall shut up him that hath the plague of the scall seven days: 32 And in the seventh day the priest shall look on the plague: and, behold, if the scall spread not, and there be in it no yellow hair, and the scall be not in sight deeper than the skin; 33 He shall be shaven, but the scall shall lie not shave; and the priest shall shut up him that hath the scall seven days more; 34 And in the seventh day the priest shall look on the scall: and, behold, if the scall be not spread in the skin, nor be in sight deeper than the skin; then the priest shall pronounce him clean and he shall wash his clothes, and be clean, 39 Then the priest shall look: and, behold, if the bright spots in the skin of their flesh be darkish white; it is a freckled spot that groweth in the skin; he is clean. 40 And the man whose hair is fallen off his head, he is bald; yet is he clean. 41 And he that hath his hair fallen off from the part of his head toward his face, he is forehead bald; yet is hé clean. 42 And if there be in the bald head, or bald forehead, a white reddish sore; it is a leprosy sprung up in his bald head, or his bald fore-head. 43 Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the rising of the sore be white reddish in his bald head, or in his bald forehead, as the leprosy appeareth in the skin of the flesh; 44 He is a leprous man, he is unclean: the priest shall pronounce him utterly unclean; his plague is in his head. 45 And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean. 1 35 But if the scall spread much in the skin 46 All the days wherein the plague shall be after his cleansing; in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he i Heb. head is pilled.- - Ezek. xxiv. 17, 22; Mic. iîi. 7. them. A person with any sore or disposition to contagion was more likely to catch the infection by contact with the diseased person, than he was whose skin was whole and sound, and his habit good. Verse 29. A plague upon the head or the beard] This refers to a disease in which, according to the Jews, the hair either on the head or the chin dropped out by the roots. 1 Lam. iv. 15. leprous person is required to be as one that mourned for the dead, or for some great and public calamity. He was to have his clothes ́rent in token of extreme sorrow; his head was to be made bare, the ordinary bonnet or turban being omitted; and he was to have a covering upon his upper lip, his jaws being tied up with a linen cloth, after the same manner in which the Jews bind up the dead, which custom is still observed among the Jews in Barbary on funeral occasions: a custom which, from Ezek. xxiv. 17, we learn hád prevailed very anciently among the Jews in Palestine. He was also to cry, Unclean, unclean, in order to prevent any person from coming near him, lest the contaThegion might be thus communicated and diffused through Verse 33. The scall shall he not shave] Lest the place should be irritated and inflamed, and assume in consequence other appearances besides those of a leprous infection; in which case the priest might not be able to form an accurate judgment. Verse 45. His clothes shall be rent, &c.] Of leprosy in the garments, A. M. 2514. B. C. 1490. Abib or Nisan. LEVITICUS. shall dwell alone; m without the An. Exod. Isr. 2. camp shall his habitation be. 47 The garment also that the -plague of leprosy is in, whether it be a woollen garment, or a linen garment; 48 Whether it be in the warp, or woof; of linen, or of woollen; whether in a skin, or in anything made of skin; 49 And if the plague be greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the skin, either in the warp or in the woof, or in any thing of skin; it is a plague of leprosy, and shall be showed unto the priest : .50 And the priest shall look upon the plague, and shut up it that hath the plague seven days: 51 And he shall look on the plague on the seventh day if the plague be spread in the garment, either in the warp or in the woof, or in a skin, or in any work that is made of skin; the plague is a fretting leprosy; it is unclean. 52 He shall therefore burn that garment, whether warp or woof, in woollen or in linen, or any thing of skin, wherein the plague is for it is a fretting leprosy; it shall be burnt in the fire.. 53 And if the priest shall look, and, behold, the plague be not spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin; in Num. v. 2; xii. 14; 2 Kings vii. 3; xv. 5; 2 Chron. xxvi. 21; Luke xvii. 12. Heb. work of.- Heb. vessel, or, instrument. society; and hence the Targumist render it, Be not ye made unclean! Be not ye made unclean! A caution to others not to come near him. Verse 47. The garment also] The whole account here seems to intimate that the garment was fretted by this contagion; and hence it is likely that it was occasioned by a species of small animals, which we know to be the cause of the itch; these, by breeding in the garments, must necessarily multiply their kind, and fret the garments, i. e., corrode a portion of the finer parts, after the manner of moths, for their nourishment. See ver. 52. Verse 52. He shall therefore burn that garment] There being scarcely any means of radically curing the infection. It is well known that the garments infected by the psora, or itch animal, have been known to communicate the disease even six or seven years after the first infection. This has been also experienced by the sorters of rags at some paper mills. Verse 54. He shall shut it up seven days more] To give time for the spreading of the contagion, if it did exist there; that there might be the most unequivocal marks and proofs that the garment was or was not infected. Verse 58. It shall be washed the second time] Ac-cording to the Jews the first washing was to put away the plague, the second to cleanse it, and how they are to be treated. A. M. 2514. B. C. 1490. Abib or Nisan. 54 Then the priest shall command that they wash the thing An. Exod. Isr. 2. wherein the plague is, and he shall shut it up seven days more 55 And the priest shall look on the plague, after that it is washed; and, behold, if the plague have not changed his colour, and the plague be not spread; it is unclean; thou shalt burn it in the fire; it is fret inward, whether it be bare within or without. 56 And if the priest look, and, behold, the plague be somewhat dark after the washing of, it; then he shall rend it out of the garment, or out of the skin, or out of the warp, or out of the woof:: 57 And if it appear still in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin; it is a spreading plague: thou shalt burn that wherein the plague is with fire. 58 And the garment, either warp, or woof, or whatsoever thing of skin it be, which thou shalt wash, if the plague be departed from them, then it shall be washed the second time, and shall be clean. 59. This is the law of the plague of leprosy in a garment of woollen or linen, either in the warp, or woof, or any thing of skins, to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean. PChap. xiv. 44. Heb, whether it be bald in the head thereof, or, in the forehead thereof.- -r 2.Kings v. 10, 14; Psa. li. 2; 2 Cor. vii. 1; Rev. i. 5; vii. 14. BOTH among Jews and Gentiles the leprosy has been considered as a most expressive emblem of sin, the properties and circumstances of the one pointing out those of the other. The similitude or parallel has been usually run in the following man⇒ How expressive all these are of the nature of sin and the state of a sinner, a spiritual mind will at once perceive. 1. The original infection or corruption of nature is the grand hidden cause, source, and spring of all transgression. 2. Iniquity is a seed that has its growth, gradual increase, and perfection. As the various powers of the mind are developed, so it diffuses itself, infecting every passion and appetite through their whole extent and operation. 3. As it spreads in the mind, so it diffuses itself through the life; every action partaking of its influence, till the whole conduct becomes a tissue of transgression, because every imagination of the thoughts of a sinner's heart is only evil continually, Gen. vi. This is the natural state of man. 4. As a sinner is infected, so is he infectious; by his precept and example he spreads the infernal contagion wherever he goes; joining with the multitude to do evil, strengthening and being strengthened in the cleansing the leper. ways of sin and death, and becoming especially a snare and a curse to his own household. 5. That a sinner is abominable in the sight of God and of all good men, that he is unfit for the society of the righteous, and that he cannot, as such, be admitted into the kingdom of God, needs no proof. 6. It is owing to the universality of the evil that sinners are not expelled from society as the most dangerous of all monsters, and obliged to live without having any commerce with their fellow creatures. Ten lepers could associate together, because partaking of the same infection: and civil society is generally maintained, because composed of a leprous community. 7. He that wishes to be saved from his sins-must humble himself before God and man, sensible of his own sore and the plague of his heart; confess his transgressions; look to God for a cure, from whom alone it can be received; and bring that Sacrifice by which alone the guilt can be taken away, and his soul be purified from all unrighteousness. See the conclusion of the following chapter. CHAPTER XIV. Two living birds, cedarOne of the birds to be killed, Introduction to the sacrifices and ceremonies to be used in cleansing the leper, 1-3. wood, scarlet, and hyssop, to be brought for him who was to be cleansed, 4. 5; and the living bird, with the cedar-wood, scarlet, and hyssop, to be dipped in the blood, and to be sprinkled on him who had been infected with the leprosy, 6, 7; after which he must wash his clothes, shave his head, eyebrows, beard, &c., bathe himself, tarry abroad seven days, 8, 9; on the eighth day he must bring two he-lambs, one ewe-lamb, a tenth deal of flour, and a log of oil, 10; which the priest was to present as a trespass-offering, wave-offering, and sin-offering before the Lord, 11-13.. Afterwards he was to sprinkle both the blood and oil on the person to be cleansed, 14–18. The atonement made by these offerings, 19, 20. If the person were poor, one lamb, with the flour and oil, two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons, were only required, 21, 22. These to be presented, and the blood and oil applied as before, 23-32. Laws and ordinances relative to houses infected by the leprosy, 33-48. An atonement to be made in order to cleanse the house, similar to that made for the healed leper, 49-53. A summary of this and the preceding chapter, relative to leprous persons, garments, and houses, 54-56. The end for which these different laws were given, 57. viii. 2–4, he commanded them to go and show themselves to the priest, &c. a Matt. viii. 2-4; Mark i. 40, 44; Luke v. 12, 14; xvíi. 14. NOTES ON CHAP. XIV. Verse 3. The priest shall go forth out of the camp] As the leper was separated from the people, and obliged, because of his uncleanness, to dwell without the camp, and could not be admitted till the priest had declared that he was clean; hence it was necessary that the priest should go out and inspect him, and, if healed, offer for him the sacrifices required, in order to his re-admission to the camp. As the priest alone had authority to declare a person clean or unclean, it was necessary that the healed person should show himself to the priest, that he might make a declaration that he was clean and fit for civil and religious society, without which, in no case, could he be admitted; hence, when Christ cleansed the lepers, Matt. Verse 4. Two birds alive and clean, &c.] Whether these birds were sparrows, or turtle-doves, or pigeons, we know not;, probably any kind of clean bird, or bird proper to be eaten, might be used on this occasion, though it is more likely that turtle-doves or pigeons were employed, because these appear to have been the only birds offered in sacrifice. Of the cedarwood, hyssop, clean bird, and scarlet wool or fillet, were made an aspergillum, of instrument to sprinkle with. The cedar-wood served for the handle, the hyssop and living bird were attached to it by means of the scarlet wool or crimson fillet. The bird was so bound to this handle as that its tail should be downwards, in The sacrifices offered A. M. 2514. An. Exod. Isr. 2, e hyssop; LEVITICUS. b birds alive and clean, and e cedar-wood, and d scarlet, and с in cleansing the leper. A. M. 2514. An. Exod. Isr. 2. him that is to be cleansed two 9 But it shall be on the seventh 5 And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water. 6 As for the living bird, he shall take it, and 10. And on the eighth day he shall take two the cedar-wood, and the scarlet, and the hys- he-lambs without blemish, and one ewe-lamb sop, and shall dip them and the living bird in" of the first year without blemish, and three the blood of the bird that was killed over the tenth deals of fine flour for a meat-offering, running water; mingled with oil, and one log of oil. k 4 11 And the priest that maketh him clean shall present the man that is to be made clean, and those things, before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 12 And the priest shall take one he-lamb, his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and and P.offer him for a trespass-offering, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: the log of oil, and wave them for a waveand after that he shall come into the camp, offering before the LORD. and shall tarry.abroad out of his tent seven days. Or, sparrows. eNumbers xix. 6.— d Hebrews ix. 19. é Psa. li. 7,f Heb. ix. 13.—2 Kings v., 10, 14. Heb. upon the face of the field.- Chap. xiii. 6.- – * Chạp. xỉ. 25. Num. xii. 15. order to be dipped into the blood of the bird that had been killed. The whole of this made an instrument for the sprinkling of this blood, and when this business was done, the living bird was let loose, and permitted to go whithersoever it would, In this ceremony, according to some rabbins," the living bird signified that the dead flesh of the leper was restored to soundness; the cedar-wood, which is not easily corrupted, that he was healed of his putrefaction; the scarlet thread, wool, or fillet, that he was restored to his good complexion; and the hyssop, which was purgative and odoriferous, that the disease was completely removed, and the bad scent that accompanied it entirely gone." Ainsworth, Dodd, and others, have given many of these rabbinical conceits. Of all these purifications, and their accompanying circumstances, we may safely say, because authorized by the New Testament so to do, that they pointed out the purification of the soul through the atonement and Spirit of Christ; but to run analogies between the type and the thing typified is difficult and precarious. The general, meaning and design we sufficiently understand; the particulars are not readily ascertainable, and consequently of little importance; had they been otherwise, they would have been pointed out, Verse 5. Over running water.] Literally, living, that is, spring water. The meaning appears to be this: Some water (about a quarter of a log, an eggshell and a half full, according to the rabbins) was taken from a spring, and put into a clean earthen vesset, and they killed the bird over this water, that the blood might drop into it; and in this blood and water mixed they dipped the instrument before described, and sprinkled it seven times upon the person who was 13 And he shall slay the lamb in the place - Matt, viii. 4; ter of her year. | 2, 18; vi. 6, 7. i. 5, 11; iv. 4, 24. Marki. 44; Luke v. 14.— Heb. the daugh- Chap. ii. 1; Num. xv. 4, 15.- Chap. v. - Exod. xxix. 24.— Exod. xxix. 11; chap. to be cleansed. The living or spring water was chosen because it was purer than what was taken from pits or wells, the latter being often in a putrid or corrupt state; for in a ceremony of purifying or cleansing, every thing must be as pure and perfect as possible. Verse 7. Shall let the living bird loose] The Jews teach that wild birds were employed on this occasion, no tame or domestic animal was used. Mr. Ainsworth piously conjectures that the living and dead birds were intended to represent the death and resurrection of Christ, by which an atonement was made to purify the soul from its spiritual leprosy. The bird let loose bears a near analogy to the scape-goat. See chap. xvi Verse 8. And shave off all his hair] That the water by which he was to be washed should reach every part of his body, that he might be cleansed from whatever defilement might remain on any part of the surface of his body. The Egyptian priests shaved the whole body every third day, to prevent all manner of defilement. Verse 10. Two he-lambs] One for a trespass-offering, ver. 13, the other for a burnt-offering, ver. 19, 20. One ewe-lamb] This was for a sin-offering, ver. 19. Three tenth deals] Three parts of an ephah, or three omers; see all these measures explained, Exod. xvi. 16. The three tenth deals of flour were for a minchah, meat or gratitude-offering, ver, 20. The sinoffering was for his impurity; the trespass-offering for his transgression; and the gratitude-offering for his gracious cleansing. These constituted the offering which each was ordered to bring to the priest; see Matt. yiii. 4. Verse 12. Wave-offering] See Exod. xxix. 27, and chap. vii., where the reader will find an ample The atonement made for the A. M. 2514. B. C. 1490. CHAP. XIV. B. C. 1490. An. Exod. Isr. 2. leper by various offerings. where he shall kill the sin-offer- | pigeons, such as he is able to A. M. 2514. An. Exod. Isr. 2. ing and the burnt-offering, in the get: and the one shall be a sinholy place for as the sin- offering, and the other a burnt- Abib or Nisan. offering is the priest's, so is the trespass- offering. offering; it is most holy. Abib or Nisan. 14 And the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass-offering, and the priest shall-put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot: 15 And the priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand : 16 And the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the LORD: 17 And of the rest of the oil that is in his hand shall the priest put upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the blood of the trespass-offering: 18 And the remnant of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall pour upon the head of him that is to be cleansed and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD. 19 And the priest shall offer the sin-offering, and make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed from his uncleanness; and afterward he shall kill the burnt-offering: 20 And the priest shall offer the burnt-offering and the meat-offering upon the altar;, and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and he shall be clean. 21 And if he be poor, and cannot get so much, then he shall take one lamb for a trespass-offering to be waved, to make an atonement for him, and one tenth deal of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat-offering, and a log of oil; 23 And he shall bring them on the eighth day for his cleansing unto the priest, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, before the LORD. 24 And the priest shall take the lamb of the trespass-offering, and the log of oil, and the priest shall wave them for a wave-offering before the LORD: 25 And he shall kill the lamb of the trespass-offering, and the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass-offering, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot: 26 And the priest shall pour of the oil into the palm of his own left hand; 27 And the priest shall sprinkle with his right finger some of the oil that is in his left hand, seven times before the LORD: 28 And the priest shall put of the oil that is in his hand upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the place of the blood of the trespass-offering: 29 And the rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall put upon the head of him that is to be cleansed, to make an atonement for him before the LORD. е 30 And he shall offer the one of the turtledoves, or of the young pigeons, such as he can get; 31 Even such as he is able to get, the one for a sin-offering, and the other for a burntoffering, with the meat-offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed, before the LORD. 32 This is the law of him in whom is the 22 And two turtle-doves, or two young plague of leprosy, whose hand is not able to V Chap. vii. 7. Chap. ii. 3; vii. 6; xxi. 22." Exod. xxix. 20; chap. viii. 23.- Chap. iv. 26.- - Chap. v. 1, 6; xii. 7. Chap. v. 7; xii. 8. account of all the various offerings and sacrifices used among the Jews. Verse 14. Upon the tip of the right ear, &c.] See the note on Exod. xxix. 20. Verse 21. And if he be poor-he shall take one. lamb] There could be no cleansing without a sacri Le Ver. 12. y Heb. his hand reach not. Heb. for a waving.- Chap. xii. 8; xv. 14, 15.- b Ver. 11.d Ver. 14. • Ver. 22; chap. xv. 15. fice. On this ground the apostle has properly observed that all things under the law are purged with blood; and that without shedding of blood there is no remission. Even if the person be poor, he must provide one lamb; this could not be dispensed with :-so every soul to whom the word of Divine revelation comes, |