Although I’m not a doctor, the biblical references to leprosy include a wide variety of skin ailments from eczema and psoriasis to modern leprosy, which is called Hansen’s disease. This last version is the much more classic interpretation, with its weeping sores, white patches, and loss of toes and fingers.
According to biblical custom, those suspected of leprosy were quarantined for seven days and then examined by the priests. If the condition persisted, they were confined for another seven days (Leviticus 13:4-5). Those who healed spontaneously underwent an eight-day cleansing ritual (Lev. 14:1-32) while persons still inflicted were cast out of the community. Even the clothing of lepers was suspect to scrutiny (Lev. 13:49).
Healthy persons generally avoided any contact with lepers, so that they themselves would not contract the disease or be deemed unclean. Jesus, however, was not of this mindset and did not regard lepers as a pariah. Instead, he showed immense love by touching and healing them without hesitation or fear, while encouraging His followers to do the same.
