Leviticus 15:15 Commentary - Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

(15) And the priest shall make an atonement.—That is, for the sinful act which has brought about the infirmity. The severity with which people were treated who had contracted this disease may further be seen from the fact that they had to remain without the camp (Num. 5:1-4). During the second Temple they were debarred from partaking of the Paschal meal, and were banished from the precincts of the holy city. Hence, when David in his great indignation wanted to invoke an imprecation upon his adversaries, he exclaimed “Let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue” (2Sa. 3:29).