Definition: And the priest shall go forth out of the camp; and the priest shall look, and, behold, [if] the plague of leprosy be healed in the leper;
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 14:3. It’s a really important part of Jewish law about dealing with people who have a disease called leprosy. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about protecting people from sickness. It says that if someone has leprosy, the priest must investigate and try to help them get rid of it. Let’s break it down word by word: “And the priest shall go forth out of the camp” : This means a priest is sent to find people who are sick. It's like a special mission to look for those with illness. “and the priest shall look, and, behold, [if] the plague of leprosy be healed in the leper” : This is the crucial part. The priest must examine the person carefully. If they do find someone who’s been cured of their leprosy, that's a good sign! But if the person still has the disease – it’s not completely gone – then the priest must investigate further to make sure they truly are healed. The word “be” is key here - it means "if" or "then." What does this mean practically? Historically, this verse was a way for the Jewish people to protect themselves from being infected by leprosy. It was seen as a safeguard against spreading the disease throughout the community. Important Context: Leprosy: This wasn't just a common illness; it was considered a serious and contagious disease that could spread rapidly. The Camp: The "camp" refers to a group of people who were considered to be sick. In short, this verse highlights the importance of careful investigation and protection against diseases in ancient Jewish society. --- Disclaimer: I am an AI Chatbot and not a religious scholar. This explanation is based on general interpretations of biblical texts. Would you like me to explain any part of this verse in more detail or perhaps discuss its significance within the broader context of Jewish law and tradition?