- λέπρα
- λέπρα, ας, ἡ (s. λεπρός; Hdt. et al.; Galen: CMG V 4, 2 p. 333, 5; 429, 11; PSI X, 1180, 36 [II A.D.]; LXX, Philo; Jos., Ant. 3, 265, C. Ap. 1, 235; Theoph. Ant. 3, 21 [p. 244, 19]) a serious skin disease, poss. including leprosy. Gk. medical writers include a variety of skin disorders under the term λ. There is abundant evidence that not all the צָרַעַת (cp. Lev 13f) and λέπρα of the Bible is true ‘leprosy’ caused by Hansen’s bacillus as known in modern times; indeed, there are many (see Gramberg and Cochrane below) who hold that Hansen’s disease was unknown in biblical times, or known by a different name than leprosy. λέπρα in LXX and NT may at times refer to what is generally termed leprosy, but probability extends to such skin diseases as psoriasis, lupus, ringworm, and favus, and in the absence of more precise data it is best to use the more general term serious skin disease Mt 8:3; Mk 1:42; Lk 5:12f; PEg2 39 [ἀ]π̣έστη ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ ἡ λέπ̣[ρα]=ASyn. 42, 32.—GMünch, Die Zaraath (Lepra) der hebr. Bibel 1893; EMcEwen, Biblical World 38, 1911, 194–202; 255–61; LHuizinga, Leprosy: BiblSacra 83, 1926, 29–46; 202–12; Billerb. IV 1928, 745–63; Handb. d. Haut-u. Geschlechtskrankheiten, ed. JJadassohn, vol. X: Die Lepra 1930; FLendrum, The Name ‘Leprosy’: Amer. Journ. of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1, ’52, 999–1008. Series of articles in BT: KGramberg, 11, ’60, 10–20; JSwellengrebel, 11, ’60, 69–80, with note by ENida; RCochrane, Biblical Leprosy, 12 ’61, 202f, w. mention of a separate publ. of the same title, ’61; DWallington, 12, ’61, 75–79; SBrowne, Leprosy in the Bible, in Medicine and the Bible, ed. BPalmer, ’86, 101–25; MGrmek, Diseases in the Ancient Greek World ’89, 160–61.—ABD IV 277–82 (lit.). TW.
Ελληνικά-Αγγλικά παλαιοχριστιανική Λογοτεχνία. 2015.