Topical Encyclopedia
The term "scaly" in the context of the Bible is primarily associated with descriptions of certain animals, particularly in the dietary laws given to the Israelites. The concept of "scaly" is significant in understanding the distinctions made between clean and unclean animals, as outlined in the Mosaic Law.
Biblical References:1.
Leviticus 11:9-12 : The dietary laws in Leviticus provide specific guidelines regarding which aquatic creatures are considered clean and permissible to eat. The text states: "Of all the creatures that live in the water, whether in the seas or the streams, you may eat any that have fins and scales. But anything in the seas or streams that does not have fins and scales, among all the swarming things and other living creatures in the water, is detestable to you. They shall be an abomination to you; you must not eat their meat, and you must detest their carcasses. Everything in the water that does not have fins and scales will be detestable to you."
This passage highlights the importance of scales as a distinguishing feature for clean aquatic animals. The presence of scales, along with fins, is a criterion for determining which fish and sea creatures are acceptable for consumption under the Law.
2.
Deuteronomy 14:9-10 : This passage reiterates the dietary laws concerning aquatic life: "Of all the creatures that live in the water, you may eat anything with fins and scales, but you may not eat anything that does not have fins and scales; it is unclean for you."
The repetition of these dietary laws in Deuteronomy underscores their significance in maintaining ritual purity and obedience to God's commandments.
Theological Significance:The distinction between clean and unclean animals, including the requirement for scales, serves several purposes in the biblical narrative. It is a part of the broader holiness code that sets the Israelites apart as God's chosen people. By adhering to these dietary laws, the Israelites demonstrate their obedience and commitment to God's covenant.
The requirement for scales can also be seen as a practical measure for health and hygiene, as many of the creatures without scales, such as shellfish, can be more prone to carrying toxins and diseases. Thus, the dietary laws may have served to protect the Israelites from potential health risks.
Symbolic Interpretation:In a symbolic sense, the presence of scales can be viewed as a metaphor for protection and separation. Just as scales protect fish, the laws and commandments protect the Israelites, setting them apart from other nations. The adherence to these laws is a physical manifestation of their spiritual commitment to God.
Cultural Context:In the ancient Near Eastern context, dietary laws were not unique to Israel. Many cultures had specific food taboos and regulations. However, the biblical dietary laws are distinct in their divine origin and their role in defining the identity of the Israelite community.
Conclusion:The concept of "scaly" in the Bible is intricately linked to the themes of purity, obedience, and identity. It reflects the broader biblical narrative of God's covenant with His people and their call to be holy and distinct in their practices and way of life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Covered or abounding with scales; as, a scaly fish.
2. (a.) Resembling scales, laminae, or layers.
3. (a.) Mean; low; as, a scaly fellow.
4. (a.) Composed of scales lying over each other; as, a scaly bulb; covered with scales; as, a scaly stem.
Greek
3015. lepros --scaly, leprous...scaly, leprous. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: lepros Phonetic Spelling:
(lep-ros') Short Definition: a leper Definition: a leprous person, a leper.
...3013. lepis -- a scale (of a fish)
... a scale (of a fish). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: lepis Phonetic
Spelling: (lep-is') Short Definition: a scale,scaly substance Definition: a...
Strong's Hebrew
4043. magen -- a shield... Also (in plural) feminine mginnah {meg-in-naw'}; from ganan; a shield (ie The small
one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the
scaly hide of the
...5424. netheq -- scab
... Word Origin from nathaq Definition scab NASB Word Usage scale (13),scaly (1). dry
scall. From nathaq; scurf -- (dry) scall. see HEBREW nathaq. 5423, 5424....
Library
The Adventure of the Three Sons of Saint George.
... of some huge bird of prey, and his front claws were like those of eagles, but
infinitely larger and sharper; he had ears like a fox, with ascaly breast, and...
The Adventures of Saint George of England.
... As he reared up on his hind legs, with his wings outspread, and his longscaly tail,
with a huge red fork, extending far away behind him, his sharp claws wide...
Renewed Cautions.
... of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose glory is in their shame." [1240] Beware
of those "dumb dogs," those trailing serpents, thosescaly [1241] dragons...
A Provision Ground
... with large leaves, gray and rough underneath, flowers as big as your two hands,
with greenish petals and a purple eye, followed by fatscaly yellow apples, is...
What was Heard in the Basilica of Peace
... The shafts of the columns, and the pilasters of the peristyle, barked by time,
seem asscaly and full of sap as the trunks of palm-trees....
Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement.
... And as the furfuraceous or bran-like, scales were daily rubbed off, the flesh appeared
quick or raw underneath." In addition to thescaly symptoms, the skin...
That the Form of Man was Framed to Serve as an Instrument for the...
... the sound by the two passages that extend to the nostrils, and by the cartilages
about the perforated bone, as it were by somescaly protuberance, makes its...
Why Man is Destitute of Natural Weapons and Covering
... naturally with us, but entering into alliance with us for the time, and for the
rest abiding by itself: and to compensate for the crocodile'sscaly hide, one...
Psalm 104. The Glory of God in Creation and Providence.
... 20 There ships divide their watery way, And flocks ofscaly monsters play; There
dwells the huge Leviathan, And foams and sports in spite of man. PAUSE III....
God's Dominion Over the Sea, Psalm 107 23 &C.
... 3 Thescaly flocks amidst the sea, To thee, their Lord, a tribute pay; The meanest
fish that swims the flood Leaps up, and means a praise to God....
Thesaurus
Scaly (1 Occurrence)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Covered or abounding with scales; as, a
scaly fish. 2. (a
... 3. (a.) Mean; low; as, a
scaly fellow. 4. (a
...Oak (22 Occurrences)
... catkins. The fruit is a smooth nut, called an acorn, which is more or less
enclosed in ascaly involucre called the cup or cupule....
Lizard (3 Occurrences)
... They arescaly, like all lizards, but are relatively smooth and are prettily colored,
and are the most attractive members of the group which are found in the...
Scalps (2 Occurrences)
Scandal (1 Occurrence)
Scall (9 Occurrences)
... SCALL. skol (netheq; thrausma): This only occurs in Leviticus 13 and 14 where it
is used 14 times to describe bald orscaly patches of eruption on the skin....
Leper (34 Occurrences)
... Leprosy has been sometimes confounded with other diseases; indeed the Greek physicians
used the name lepra for thescaly skin disease now called psoriasis....
Leprosy (51 Occurrences)
... Leprosy has been sometimes confounded with other diseases; indeed the Greek physicians
used the name lepra for thescaly skin disease now called psoriasis....
Glass (12 Occurrences)
... illustrated above are of ordinary transparent glass with an iridescent surface,
caused by decomposition, as mentioned above, indicated by thescaly appearance....
Resources
What is a threshing floor? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of “Physician, heal thyself” in Luke 4:23? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the Christian themes in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader? | GotQuestions.orgScaly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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