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.

Den spedalske måtte bære sin sygdoms forbandelse adskilt fra sine venner og sin slægt. Han var forpligtet til at bekendtgøre sin egen elendighed, til at sønderrive sine klæder og slå alarm for at advare alle om at flygte fra hans besmittende nærhed. Råbet: "Uren! uren!" som lød med klagende stemme fra de ensomme forviste, var et signal, som hørtes med frygt og rædsel.