2 Chronicles 12:3, where the American Standard Version reads “Lubim” and other translations read “Libyans.”—Mo; NW; RS.

LEHI

(Leʹhi) [jaw(bone)].

The scene of one or, possibly, two Israelite victories over the Philistines. Its exact location is unknown today. But perhaps modern Khirbet es-Siyyaj, less than two miles (3 kilometers) E of Beth-shemesh, derives its name from the Greek word si·a·gonʹ (jawbone). It may therefore point to the ancient site.

At Lehi, Samson struck down a thousand Philistines with the moist jawbone of an ass. Subsequently he called the site Ramath-lehi (“the lofty place of the jaw[bone]”), probably to memorialize the victory Jehovah had given him there. (Judg. 15:9-19) Originally, though, Lehi may have gotten its name from the shape of its crags.

Later, according to the rendering of numerous translators, Shammah struck down many Philistines assembled at Lehi. (2 Sam. 23:11, 12; AT, JB, NW, RS) However, the Hebrew term la·hhay·yahʹ may also be rendered by such expressions as “into a troop” (AV, Le, Ro) instead of “to (at) Lehi.”

LEMUEL

(Lemʹu·el) [belonging to God].

An unidentified king of ancient times whose words are recorded in Proverbs chapter thirty-one. His identity has been the subject of considerable discussion, some commentators suggesting that Lemuel was another name for Solomon. Others identify Lemuel with Hezekiah. The words of King Lemuel constitute “the weighty message that his mother gave to him in correction.” (Prov. 31:1) However, the time and circumstances of the king’s reception of such information from his mother are unknown. This “weighty message” advises against involvement with a bad woman, warns of how intoxicating liquor can pervert judgment, highlights the need to judge righteously, and then describes a good wife.

LENTIL

An annual plant of the leguminous family that has long been cultivated by man and is still extensively grown in Egypt and Palestine, as well as in other lands. (2 Sam. 17:27, 28; 23:11) This small plant, measuring from six to eighteen inches (c. 15.2 to 45.7 centimeters) in height, thrives in light, dry soil. Its compound leaves, generally consisting of six pairs of oblong leaflets, terminate in tendrils. Slender branchlets bear two to four small pealike flowers each. The short pods that develop from the flowers resemble those of the pea, and usually contain two small lens-shaped seeds. The color of the seeds and that of the flowers differs with the variety of lentil plant. The seeds may be reddish brown, gray or black, and the flowers, white or pale blue. Rich in protein and carbohydrates, the seeds are, as in the past, commonly used for soups. (Gen. 25:34) In combination with barley, lentils have been used for making bread. (Compare Ezekiel 4:9.) The plant itself serves well as a fodder for livestock.

LEOPARD

One of the large cats, usually having a light-tan coat with black spots arranged in broken circles. (Jer. 13:23) Leopards commonly measure four feet (1.2 meters) in length, not including the tail. Although even in more recent years several leopards have been killed near Jerusalem, these creatures evidently were found in far greater numbers in ancient Palestine. (Song of Sol. 4:8) The cheetah or hunting leopard, ranked among the fastest of mammals, was also found in Palestine, and the Hebrew designation na·merʹ may have included this animal as well as the leopard. The cheetah differs from the true leopard in that its claws are only partially retractile and its spots are solid, not ringed.

In the Scriptures, allusion is made to the swiftness of the leopard (Hab. 1:8) and its manner of lying in wait near towns, ready to pounce upon passing domestic animals. (Jer. 5:6; Hos. 13:7) In sharp contrast with this, the leopard and the kid are depicted as lying down together in peace during Messiah’s rule.—Isa. 11:6.

At Daniel 7:6, the four-winged, four-headed leopard represents the Grecian World Power, which conquered Medo-Persia with the swiftness of a leopard. Also, the wild beast out of the sea, seen in vision by the apostle John, was basically like a leopard.—Rev. 13:1, 2; see BEASTS, SYMBOLIC.

The Hebrew word laʹyish, otherwise translated “lion” (Job 4:11; Prov. 30:30), is, in harmony with a Mishnaic Talmudic meaning, rendered “leopard” at Isaiah 30:6 (NW), the “lion” (la·viʼʹ) already being mentioned in the same text.

[Picture on page 1055]

The prophet Habakkuk alluded to the leopard’s swiftness

LEPROSY

A loathsome and dreadful disease manifesting itself in various ways and designated in the Bible by the Hebrew term tsa·raʹʽath and the Greek word leʹpra. A person afflicted with it is called a leper.

In the Scriptures “leprosy” is not restricted to the disease known by that name today, for it could affect not only humans but also clothing and houses. (Lev. 14:55) The Hebrew term tsa·raʹʽath may have included what is now technically known as Elephantiasis Graecorum (Greek for “elephant disease”), but this cannot be established definitely. The leprosy of today is otherwise called “Hansen’s disease,” so named because Dr. Gerhard A. Hansen discovered the germ that is generally viewed as causing this malady. However, though tsa·raʹʽath applies to more than the leprosy of today, there is no doubt that human leprosy now called “Hansen’s disease” was in evidence in the Middle East in Biblical times.

VARIETIES, WITH THEIR EFFECTS

Today leprosy or Hansen’s disease (which is only slightly communicable) manifests itself in three basic varieties. One, the nodular type, results in a thickening of one’s skin and the forming of lumps, first in the skin on the face and then on other parts of the body. It also produces degenerative effects in mucous membranes of the victim’s nose and throat. This is known as black leprosy. Another type is anesthetic leprosy, sometimes called white leprosy. It is not as severe as black leprosy and basically affects the peripheral nerves. It may manifest itself in skin that is painful to the touch, though it can also result in numbness. The third type of leprosy, a mixed kind, combines the symptoms of both forms just described.

As leprosy progresses toward its advanced stage, the swellings that initially develop discharge pus, the hair may fall from one’s head and eyebrows, nails may loosen, decay and fall off. Then the victim’s fingers, limbs, nose or eyes may be slowly eaten away. Finally, in the most serious cases, death ensues. That Biblical “leprosy” certainly included such a serious disease is apparent from Aaron’s reference to it as a malady wherein the flesh is “half eaten off.”—Num. 12:12.

This description helps one better to appreciate Biblical references to this dreaded malady and the dire consequences of Uzziah’s presumptuous act in improperly endeavoring to offer incense in Jehovah’s temple.—2 Ki. 15:5; 2 Chron. 26:16-23.

DIAGNOSIS

By means of the Mosaic law Jehovah provided Israel with information enabling the priest to diagnose leprosy and to distinguish between it and other less serious skin afflictions. From what is recorded at Leviticus 13:1-46, it can be seen that leprosy might begin with an eruption, a scab, a blotch, a boil, or a scar in one’s flesh from fire. Sometimes the symptoms were very clear. The hair in the affected area had turned white and the malady was seen to be deeper than the skin. For example, a white eruption in the skin might turn the hair white and raw flesh might appear in the eruption. This meant that one had leprosy and was to be declared unclean. However, in other cases the malady was not deeper than the skin and a period of quarantine was imposed, with subsequent inspection by the priest, who made a final determination in the case.

It was acknowledged that leprosy could reach a stage in which it was not contagious. When it overspread the entire body, all of it having turned white, and living flesh was not in evidence, it was a sign that the diseased action was over and that only the marks of its ravages remained. The priest would then declare the victim clean, the disease posing no further danger to anyone.—Lev. 13:12-17.

If the leper’s malady left him and he was cured, there were arrangements whereby he could ceremonially purify himself, and these included the offering of sacrifice in his behalf by the priest. (Lev. 14:1-32) But the priest declared the uncured leper unclean, whereupon his garments were torn, his head was to become ungroomed, he was to cover the moustache or upper lip and was to call out “Unclean, unclean!” He had to dwell in isolation outside the camp (Lev. 13:43-46), a measure that was taken so that the leper would not contaminate those in the midst of whom Jehovah was tenting. (Num. 5:1-4) It seems that in Biblical times lepers associated with one another or lived in groups, making it possible for them to aid one another.—2 Ki. 7:3-5; Luke 17:12.

In garments and houses

Leprosy could also affect woolen or linen garments, or an article of skin. The plague might disappear with washing, and there were arrangements for quarantining the article. But where this yellowish-green or reddish plague persisted, malignant leprosy was present and the article was to be burned. (Lev. 13:47-59) If yellowish-green or reddish depressions appeared in the wall of a house, the priest imposed a quarantine. It might be necessary to tear out affected stones and have the house scraped off inside, the stones and scraped-off mortar being disposed of in an unclean place outside the city. If the plague returned, the house was declared unclean and was pulled down, and the materials were disposed of in an unclean place. But for the house pronounced clean there was an arrangement for purification. (Lev. 14:33-57) It has been suggested that the leprosy affecting garments or houses was a type of mildew or mold; however, about this there is uncertainty.

AS A SIGN

One of the signs Jehovah empowered Moses to perform to prove to the Israelites that God sent him involved leprosy. As instructed, Moses stuck his hand in the upper fold of his garment and, upon withdrawing it, “his hand was stricken with leprosy like snow!” It was restored “like the rest of his flesh” by returning it into the upper fold of his garment and withdrawing it once again. (Ex. 4:6, 7) Miriam was stricken with “leprosy as white as snow” as a divine act because she spoke against Moses. He begged God to heal her, which was done, but she was quarantined outside the camp for seven days.—Num. 12:1, 2, 9-15.

IN ELISHA’S TIME

Naaman the Syrian was “a valiant, mighty man, though a leper.” (2 Ki. 5:1) His pride nearly lost him the opportunity of being cured, but he eventually did as instructed by Elisha, plunging into the Jordan seven times, and “his flesh came back like the flesh of a little boy and he became clean.” (2 Ki. 5:14) He thereupon became a worshiper of Jehovah. However, Elisha’s attendant Gehazi greedily acquired a gift from Naaman in the prophet’s name, thus misrepresenting his master and, in effect, making the undeserved kindness of God a means of material gain. For his misdeed Gehazi was now stricken with leprosy by God and became “a leper white as snow.”—2 Ki. 5:20-27.

That there were various lepers in Israel in Elisha’s day is shown by the presence of four Israelite lepers outside Samaria’s gates while Elisha was inside the city. (2 Ki. 7:3) But there was a general lack of faith on the part of the Israelites in this man of the true God, just as the Jews in Jesus’ home territory would not accept him. Hence, Christ said: “Also, there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed, but Naaman the man of Syria.”—Luke 4:27.

HEALED BY JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES

During his Galilean ministry, Jesus healed a leper described by Luke as “a man full of leprosy.” Jesus ordered him to tell nobody and said: “But go off and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering in connection with your cleansing just as Moses directed, for a witness to them.”—Luke 5:12-16; Matt. 8:2-4; Mark 1:40-45.

When Christ sent out the twelve apostles, he told them, among other things, “make lepers clean.” (Matt. 10:8) Later, while he was going through Samaria and Galilee, Jesus cured ten lepers in a certain village. Only one of them, a Samaritan, “turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice,” and fell upon his face at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what had been done in his behalf. (Luke 17:11-19) It may also be noted that Christ was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper (whom Jesus may have cured) when Mary anointed Jesus with costly perfumed oil not long before his death.—Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8; see DISEASES AND TREATMENT.

LESHEM

(Leʹshem) [a precious stone].

Alternate name for the city of Laish, later called Dan.—Josh. 19:47; Judg. 18:7, 27, 29; see DAN No. 3.

LESHEM STONE

(leshʹem).

An unidentified precious stone that was placed first in the third row of gems on the high priest’s “breastpiece of judgment.”—Ex. 28:19; 39:12.

Various stones, such as amber, hyacinth, opal and tourmaline, have been suggested as being identical with “leshem stone,” but none of these identifications can be substantiated. The New World Translation therefore leaves the Hebrew word untranslated as leshem stone.

LETTERS

The writing and sending of letters, either of an official, a business or a personal nature, was a widely used means of communication in ancient times. (2 Sam. 11:14; 2 Ki. 5:5-7; 10:1, 2; 2 Chron. 30:1; Ezra 4:7; Isa. 37:14; Jer. 29:1; Acts 9:1, 2; 28:21; 2 Thess. 2:2; Heb. 13:22) Confidential letters were usually sealed. (1 Ki. 21:8) To send a letter unsealed is said to have been viewed as disrespectful, which may have been Sanballat’s reason for sending an open letter to Nehemiah.—Neh. 6:5.

In addition to papyrus, materials employed for letter writing in ancient times included ostraca (small pieces of broken pottery or earthenware) and clay tablets. (See ARCHAEOLOGY, pages 110, 111.) Thousands of clay tablets have been found in Babylonia and other regions. Washed and cleaned, smooth clay was made