EGW → Biblical Foundation
Select an Ellen White book from the sidebar to see each passage mapped to the Bible verses it amplifies, cites, or echoes.
Scripture Index
Ellen White & Bible Cross-Reference
Leviticus 13:45
"And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean."
"Away from his friends and his kindred, the leper must bear the curse of his malady. He was obliged to publish his own calamity, to rend his garments, and sound the alarm, warning all to flee from his contaminating presence. The cry, “Unclean! unclean!” coming in mournful tones from the lonely exile, was a signal heard with fear and abhorrence. DA 262.2"
The EGW passage directly describes the actions and cries of a leper as prescribed in Leviticus 13:45, making it a clear and intentional reference.
"Away from his friends and his kindred the leper must bear the curse of his malady. He was obliged to publish his own calamity, to rend his garments, and sound the alarm, warning all to flee from his contaminating presence. The cry, “Unclean! unclean!” coming in mournful tones from the lonely exile, was a signal heard with fear and abhorrence. MH 67.3"
The EGW passage directly references and expands upon the regulations for lepers described in Leviticus 13:45, including the rending of garments and the cry of "Unclean, unclean!"
"“Thou Canst Make Me Clean” Of all the diseases known in the East the leprosy was most dreaded. Its incurable and contagious character, and its horrible effect upon its victims, filled the bravest with fear. Among the Jews it was regarded as a judgment on account of sin, and hence was called “the stroke,” “the finger of God.” Deep-rooted, ineradicable, deadly, it was looked upon as a symbol of sin. MH 67"
EGW directly discusses leprosy as a symbol of sin and its perception as a judgment from God, which aligns with the Levitical understanding and societal fear of the disease. The verse highlights the leper's required declaration of being 'unclean,' reinforcing the thematic link to sin and separation.
Chapter 27—“Thou Canst Make Me Clean” This chapter is based on Matthew 8:2-4 ; Matthew 9:1-8 ; Matthew 9:32-34 ; Mark 1:40-45 ; Mark 2:1-12 ; Luke 5:12-28 . Of all diseases known in the East the leprosy was most dreaded. Its incurable and contagious character, and its horrible effect upon its victims, filled the bravest with fear. Among the Jews it was regarded as a judgment on account of sin, and hence was called “the stroke,” “the finger of God.” Deep-rooted, ineradicable, deadly, it was looked upon as a symbol of sin. By the ritual law, the leper was pronounced unclean. Like one already dead, he was shut out from the habitations of men. Whatever he touched was unclean. The air was polluted by his breath. One who was suspected of having the disease must present himself to the priests, who were to examine and decide his case. If pronounced a leper, he was isolated from his family, cut off from the congregation of Israel, and was doomed to associate with those only who were similarly a…
EGW describes the ritual laws regarding leprosy, which are detailed in Leviticus 13. The verse quoted is a clear example of the principle she describes.
"He is a loathsome spectacle. The disease has made frightful inroads, and his decaying body is horrible to look upon. At sight of him the people fall back. In their terror they crowd upon one another to escape from contact with him. Some try to prevent him from approaching Jesus, but in vain. He neither sees nor hears them. Their expressions of loathing are lost upon him. He sees only the Son of God, he hears only the voice that speaks life to the dying. MH 69.1"
While Leviticus 13:45 outlines the ritualistic aspects of a leper's declaration of uncleanness, the EGW passage vividly describes the social and emotional impact of leprosy, including the fear and loathing it inspires in others. Both passages relate to the experience of a leper, but the EGW passage elaborates on the human element.
"Closely allied to gossip is the covert insinuation, the sly innuendo, by which the unclean in heart seek to insinuate the evil they dare not openly express. Every approach to these practices the youth should be taught to shun as they would shun the leprosy. Ed 236.3"
Both passages use leprosy as a metaphor for something to be avoided due to its uncleanness and potential for spread. EGW uses it to illustrate the need to avoid gossip and insinuation.
Leviticus 13:46
"All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be."
"Prevention of Disease 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: MH 277"
The EGW quote directly references and explains the practice described in Leviticus 13:46, regarding the isolation of those with contagious diseases. It's a clear and direct application of the biblical principle of quarantine for public health. The EGW quote even introduces the Leviticus verse.
"those only who were similarly afflicted. Even kings and rulers were not exempt. A monarch attacked by this terrible disease must yield up the scepter and flee from society. MH 67.2"
Both passages discuss the isolation and exclusion of individuals afflicted with a terrible disease, aligning with the Levitical law regarding leprosy and similar conditions. The EGW passage expands on the Levitical law, applying it to kings and rulers, but the core idea of isolation due to disease is present in both.
Leviticus 13:46-52
"All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be. The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it be a woollen garment, or a linen garment; Whether it be in the warp, or woof; of linen, or of woollen; whether in a skin, or in any thing made of skin; And if the plague be greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the skin, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin; it is a plague of leprosy, and shall be shewed unto the priest: And the priest shall look upon the plague, and shut up it that hath the plague seven days: And he shall look on the plague on the seventh day: if the plague be spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in a skin, or in any work that is made of skin; the plague is a fretting leprosy; it is unclean. He shall therefore burn that garment, whether warp or woof, in woollen or in linen, or any thing of skin, wherein the plague is: for it is a fretting leprosy; it shall be burnt in the fire."
"“All the days wherein the plague shall be in him [the leper] he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be. The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it be a woolen garment, or a linen garment; whether it be in the warp, or woof; of linen, or of woolen; whether in a skin, or in anything made of skin; ... the priest shall look upon the plague: ... if the plague be spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in a skin, or in any work that is made of skin; the plague is a fretting leprosy; it is unclean. He shall therefore burn that garment, whether warp or woof, in woolen or in linen, or anything of skin, wherein the plague is: for it is a fretting leprosy; it shall be burnt in the fire.” Leviticus 13:46-52 . MH 278.2"
Ellen White directly references Leviticus 13:46-52 in this passage.