13:18-44 The priest is told what judgment to make, if there were any appearance of a leprosy in old sores; and such is the danger of those who having escaped the pollutions of the world are again entangled therein. Or, in a burn by accident, ver. 24. The burning of strife and contention often occasions the rising and breaking out of that corruption, which proves that men are unclean. Human life lies exposed to many grievances. With what troops of diseases are we beset on every side; and thy all entered by sin! If the constitution be healthy, and the body lively and easy, we are bound to glorify God with our bodies. Particular note was taken of the leprosy, if in the head. If the leprosy of sin has seized the head; if the judgment be corrupted, and wicked principles, which support wicked practices, are embraced, it is utter uncleanness, from which few are cleansed. Soundness in the faith keeps leprosy from the head.
And if the bright spot stay in his place, and spread not in the skin,.... If, after being shut up, seven days, it appears that the spot is no larger than, when it was first viewed, but is as it was, and not at all increased:
but it be somewhat dark; either not so bright as it was, or more contracted:
it is a rising of the burning; or a swelling of it, a swelling which sprung from it, and nothing else:
the priest shall pronounce him clean; from the leprosy, and so set him at liberty to go where he will, and dwell and converse with men as usual:
for it is an inflammation of the burning; or an inflammation or blister occasioned by the burning, and no leprosy.
but it be somewhat dark; either not so bright as it was, or more contracted:
it is a rising of the burning; or a swelling of it, a swelling which sprung from it, and nothing else:
the priest shall pronounce him clean; from the leprosy, and so set him at liberty to go where he will, and dwell and converse with men as usual:
for it is an inflammation of the burning; or an inflammation or blister occasioned by the burning, and no leprosy.