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Hygiene Among the Israelites
191
“‘All the days he [the leper] has the sore he shall be unclean. He
is unclean, and he shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the
camp. Also, if a garment has a leprous plague in it, whether it is a
woolen garment or a linen garment, whether it is in the warp or woof
of linen or wool, whether in leather or in anything made of leather,
... the priest shall look at the plague. ... If the plague has spread
in the garment, either in the warp or in the woof, in the leather or
in anything made of leather, the plague is an active leprosy. It is
unclean. He shall therefore burn that garment in which is the plague,
whether warp or woof, in wool or in linen, or anything of leather,
for it is an active leprosy; it shall be burned in the fire.’”
Leviticus
13:46-52
.
So, too, a house that gave evidence of conditions that made it
unsafe for habitation was destroyed. The priest was to “‘break down
the house, its stones, its timber, and all the plaster of the house, and
he shall carry them outside the city to an unclean place. Moreover he
who goes into the house at all while it is shut up shall be unclean until
evening. And he who lies down in the house shall wash his clothes,
and he who eats in the house shall wash his clothes.’”
Leviticus
14:45-47
.
Cleanliness
The necessity of personal cleanliness was taught in the most
impressive manner. Before gathering at Mount Sinai to listen to
the proclamation of the law by the voice of God, the people were
required to wash both their persons and their clothing. This order
was enforced on pain of death. No impurity was to be tolerated in
the presence of God.
During the sojourn in the wilderness the Israelites were almost
continually in the open air, where impurities would have less harmful
effects than in close houses. But the strictest regard to cleanliness
was required both within and without their tents. No refuse was
allowed to remain within or about the encampment. The Lord said:
“‘The Lord your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver
you and give your enemies over to you; therefore your camp shall
be holy.’”
Deuteronomy 23:14
.