Log inSign up

Leviticus 13 · a question people ask

Why did the leper have to live outside the camp?

In the text

This chapter gives the rule without the reason: "He shall dwell alone. His dwelling shall be outside of the camp" (13:46). Numbers gives the reason. The LORD commanded "that they put out of the camp every leper" (Numbers 5:2), "so that they don’t defile their camp, in the midst of which I dwell" (Numbers 5:3). Leviticus says the same of uncleanness in general: "so they will not die in their uncleanness when they defile my tabernacle that is among them" (15:31). The rule lasted as long as the plague: "All the days in which the plague is in him he shall be unclean" (13:46). And there was a way back. The next chapter opens with "the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing" (14:2), when "the priest shall go out of the camp" to examine him (14:3).

The verses

“All the days in which the plague is in him he shall be unclean. He is unclean. He shall dwell alone. His dwelling shall be outside of the camp.”
Leviticus 13:46 · World English Bible
“The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Command the children of Israel that they put out of the camp every leper, everyone who has a discharge, and whoever is unclean by a corpse. You shall put both male and female outside of the camp so that they don’t defile their camp, in the midst of which I dwell.” The children of Israel did so, and put them outside of the camp; as the LORD spoke to Moses, so the children of Israel did.”
Numbers 5:1-4 · World English Bible
““‘Thus you shall separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, so they will not die in their uncleanness when they defile my tabernacle that is among them.’””
Leviticus 15:31 · World English Bible
“The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought to the priest, and the priest shall go out of the camp. The priest shall examine him. Behold, if the plague of leprosy is healed in the leper,”
Leviticus 14:1-3 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Leviticus 13

Leviticus 13: The priest shall examine

Leviticus 13 never tells the priest to heal anyone: he looks, waits seven days, looks again, and says clean or unclean (13:3-6). Covered head to foot and turned white, a person is clean (13:13). The same word for the plague is used of a garment (13:47). And the leper who cried "Unclean! Unclean!" lived alone, outside the camp (13:45-46).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekLeviticus 13 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Leviticus 13

All questions about Leviticus →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions