LEVITICUS 13:1-37

 Q: What is the significance, if any, to the color of the hair in a sore...white, yellow,

or black?  Does the hair actually turn a different color; for example, does the hair turn white for 

someone with leprosy?

Most authorities are agreed that the word usually translated as “leprosy” does not refer to 

Hansen's Disease at all since it was unknown in the Middle East at that time period (as best we 

can tell), and none of the symptoms match what is described in Leviticus 13. The Hebrew word 

applies to all sorts of skin conditions as well as mildew on walls.

A fungal infection called favus does cause skin hairs around affected areas to become lighter 

in color. 

The rules in Leviticus 13 allow for careful differentiation of this disease from less serious 

conditions such as psoriasis in which the hair may appear to be white due to scaly skin around it.