“A spot [se’et]” – this is Babylon, based on: “You will recite [venasata] this parable about the king of Babylon: How has the oppressor ceased, the arrogance been ended” (Isaiah 14:4). Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said: “The arrogance been ended [shaveta madheva]” – this is the kingdom that says: Measure and bring [medod vehaveh].25Bring all the gold to the king. Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman said: The kingdom that turns the face of a person pale [madhevet] when he approaches it.
The Rabbis say: It is on the basis of the golden head, “you are the golden head [di dahava]” (Daniel 2:38).26This is stated in reference to Nebuchadnezzar. All the Sages cited here agree that the reference is to Babylon. “A scab [sapaḥat]” – this is Media, that produced the wicked Haman, who would strikes like a serpent, based on: “On your belly you shall go” (Genesis 3:14).27Possibly this is based on the similarity of the word sapaḥat with saḥaf, drag, as a snake drags along the ground.
“A bright spot [baheret]” – this is Greece, which would clearly state [mavheret] its edicts against Israel and say to them: Write on the horn of the ox that you have no portion in the God of Israel. “A mark of leprosy [nega tzaraat]” – this is Edom, which rose [to prominence]on the authority of the elder. “And it will become a mark of leprosy [nega tzaraat] on the skin of his flesh.”28This is the harshest of them all because it is initiated by a close relative, “his flesh.”
Although in this world, the priest examines leprosy, in the future, the Holy One blessed be He has said: ‘I will purify you.’ That is what is written: “I will sprinkle pure water on you and you will be purified” (Ezekiel 36:25).