In biblical literature, the term "scale-like" is often associated with descriptions of skin conditions, armor, or coverings that resemble the scales of a fish or reptile. This imagery is used in various contexts throughout the Bible, providing insight into the cultural, spiritual, and physical aspects of ancient life.

Leviticus and Skin Conditions

The book of Leviticus contains detailed laws regarding cleanliness and uncleanliness, particularly in relation to skin diseases. Leviticus 13:30 addresses a condition that might appear "scale-like": "The priest is to examine the infection, and if it appears to be deeper than the skin and the hair in it is yellow and thin, the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is a scaly outbreak, a leprous disease of the head or chin." Here, the scale-like appearance is indicative of a serious skin condition, often translated as leprosy, which required isolation and purification rituals.

Armor and Protection

The imagery of scales is also used metaphorically to describe armor and protection. In 1 Samuel 17:5 , Goliath is described as wearing a coat of scale armor: "He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels." This description emphasizes the formidable and intimidating nature of Goliath's appearance, as the scale armor would have provided significant protection in battle, resembling the natural defense mechanisms of certain animals.

Symbolism in Prophetic Literature

In prophetic literature, scale-like imagery is used symbolically to convey messages of judgment or protection. Ezekiel 29:4 uses the imagery of scales in a prophecy against Pharaoh and Egypt: "But I will put hooks in your jaws and make the fish of your streams cling to your scales. I will pull you up from the midst of your streams, with all the fish clinging to your scales." Here, the scales represent the strength and pride of Egypt, which God promises to humble and expose.

Spiritual Implications

The use of scale-like imagery in the Bible often carries spiritual implications, reflecting themes of purity, protection, and divine judgment. The scale-like conditions described in Leviticus highlight the importance of holiness and the need for purification in the presence of God. In contrast, the protective scales of armor, as seen in the account of Goliath, underscore the futility of relying solely on physical strength against the power of God.

Overall, the concept of "scale-like" in the Bible serves as a multifaceted symbol, illustrating both physical realities and deeper spiritual truths.2636. chaspas -- scale-like
... 2635, 2636. chaspas. 2637 . scale-like. Transliteration: chaspas Phonetic
Spelling: (khas-pas') Short Definition: thing. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/2636.htm - 5k

The Tillage of the Poor
... The barns in Palestine were not filled by farming on a great scale like that pursued
away out on the western prairies, where one man will own, and his servants ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the tillage of the poor.htm

Evil Cannot be Suppressed by the Physical Force of the Government ...
... And so the movement goes on more and more quickly, and on an ever- increasing scale,
like a snowball, till at last a public opinion in harmony with the new ...
/.../tolstoy/the kingdom of god is within you/chapter x evil cannot be.htm

Scale-like (1 Occurrence)
Scale-like. Scaled, Scale-like. Scales . Multi-Version Concordance
Scale-like (1 Occurrence). Exodus 16:14 And when ...
/s/scale-like.htm - 6k

Tamarisk (5 Occurrences)
... They have minute scalelike leaves, and small flowers in spikes. ... They are characterized
by their brittle, feathery branches and by their tiny scale-like leaves. ...
/t/tamarisk.htm - 10k

Scaled (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Scale. 2. (a.) Covered with scales,
or scalelike structures; -- said of a fish, a reptile, a moth, etc. ...
/s/scaled.htm - 7k

Scales (33 Occurrences)

/s/scales.htm - 18k

Scale (38 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) One of the small scalelike structures covering parts of some invertebrates,
as those on the wings of Lepidoptera and on the body of Thysanura; the ...
/s/scale.htm - 22k

Hoarfrost (3 Occurrences)
... Exodus 16:14 And when the layer of dew was gone up, behold upon the face of the
wilderness a fine, scale-like thing, fine as the hoar-frost on the ground. ...
/h/hoarfrost.htm - 7k

Heath (2 Occurrences)
... "Its gloomy, stunted appearance, with its scale-like leaves pressed close to its
gnarled stem, and cropped close by the wild goats, as it clings to the rocks ...
/h/heath.htm - 8k

Botany
... It is characterized by its brittle feathery branches covered by minute scale-like
leaves; a bedraggled, wind-torn tamarisk half buried in sea-sand is a ...
/b/botany.htm - 38k

Was Goliath one of the Nephilim? | GotQuestions.org

What does God mean when He says, “my ways are higher than your ways” in Isaiah 55:9? | GotQuestions.org

Is belief in God compatible with quantum physics? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus