The answer is: True

Lev 13:12-13 - Odd, but true. If the leprosy covered the whole body they were clean, but if raw flesh appeared again they would be unclean

Isn’t the leprosy ruling one of those quirky Bible rules that can leave you scratching your head? When reading Leviticus, you come across some striking regulations concerning purity and health, written during a time of health ignorance. Leprosy often referred to various skin conditions, and a healed person might experience some strange twists of fate in their classification as “clean” or “unclean.”

In Leviticus 13:12-13, the priests are telling us if a person’s entire body is covered in a condition classified as leprosy, they could be temporarily dubbed "clean"! It sounds like medical advice straight out of a centuries-old manual. Imagine the unfortunate leper who finally gains some semblance of health but, in the eyes of the law, finds themselves potentially back in unclean status at the first sign of raw flesh.

Interestingly, this perspective offers insights into ancient interpretations of disease, showing a unique understanding of life’s complexities, often rooted in primal fear and the need for community safety. The stark medical realties of infection control resonate even today! Biblical-era understanding of hygiene and contagion was grounded in religious law, which may not have had scientific clarity but certainly shows a societal attempt to deal effectively with unseen ailments.

Leprosy narratives highlight a surprisingly deep story about giving, compassion, and spiritual cleansing, setting the stage for an often-misunderstood theme of external appearances versus inner purity. How far we’ve come!