MH page 277

In the teaching that God gave to Israel, the preservation of health received careful attention. The people who had come from slavery with the uncleanly and unhealthful habits which it engenders, were subjected to the strictest training in the wilderness before entering Canaan. Health principles were taught and sanitary laws enforced.

The preservation of health and sanitary laws received careful attention and training in ancient Israel. This paragraph narrates historical events regarding ancient Israelite training and sanitary laws without stating empirical medical or scientific claims.

Not only in their religious service, but in all the affairs of daily life was observed the distinction between clean and unclean. All who came in contact with contagious or contaminating diseases were isolated from the encampment, and they were not permitted to return without thorough cleansing of both the person and the clothing. In the case of one afflicted with a contaminating disease, the direction was given:

Strict separation and cleansing procedures were maintained for contagious or contaminating conditions. Describes historical quarantine and hygiene practices implemented among the Israelites.

“Every bed, whereon he lieth, ... is unclean: and everything, whereon he sitteth, shall be unclean. And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. And he that sitteth on anything whereon he sat ... shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. And he that toucheth the flesh of him ... shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.... And whosoever toucheth anything that was under him shall be unclean until the even: and he that beareth any of those things shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. And whomsoever he toucheth ... and hath not rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. And the vessel of earth, that he toucheth, ... shall be broken: and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water.” Leviticus 15:4-12 .

Detailed biblical directives governed the ritual uncleanness and washing associated with bodily discharges and objects. A direct biblical quotation outlining ancient ritual laws regarding contact with bodily discharges.