In biblical terms, the word "scall" refers to a type of skin disease or condition mentioned in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of the Levitical laws concerning cleanliness and uncleanliness. The term is primarily found in the book of Leviticus, which provides detailed instructions for the Israelites on how to handle various skin diseases and other conditions that could render a person ceremonially unclean.

Biblical References:

The primary reference to "scall" is found in Leviticus 13, where it is described as a condition affecting the skin, particularly the scalp or beard. The Berean Standard Bible translates these passages as follows:

· Leviticus 13:30 : "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 scall of the head or chin."

· Leviticus 13:31 : "But if the priest examines the scaly outbreak and it does not appear to be deeper than the skin and there is no black hair in it, the priest is to isolate the infected person for seven days."

· Leviticus 13:32 : "On the seventh day the priest is to examine the infection, and if the scall has not spread and there is no yellow hair in it and it does not appear to be deeper than the skin,"

· Leviticus 13:33 : "then the person must shave himself, but not the scaly area, and the priest is to isolate him for another seven days."

Cultural and Religious Context:

In the ancient Israelite community, maintaining ritual purity was of utmost importance, as it was directly related to one's ability to participate in religious and communal life. The laws concerning skin diseases, including scall, were part of a broader set of purity laws that governed the daily lives of the Israelites. These laws were given by God to Moses and Aaron and were intended to set the Israelites apart as a holy people.

The examination of skin diseases by the priests was a critical function, as it determined whether an individual was clean or unclean. Being pronounced unclean had significant social and religious implications, often requiring isolation from the community and exclusion from worship activities until the condition was resolved and the person was declared clean by the priest.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the laws concerning scall and other skin diseases can be seen as symbolic of the need for spiritual cleanliness and the separation from sin. Just as physical impurities required cleansing and restoration, so too did spiritual impurities require repentance and atonement. The meticulous nature of these laws underscores the holiness of God and the call for His people to reflect that holiness in every aspect of their lives.

The New Testament, while not directly addressing scall, continues the theme of spiritual purity and the cleansing power of Christ. Jesus' healing of lepers and other individuals with skin conditions serves as a powerful demonstration of His authority over physical and spiritual ailments, offering a foretaste of the ultimate restoration and purity found in Him.1. (n.) A scurf or scabby disease, especially of the scalp.

2. (a.) Scabby; scurfy.

SCALL

skol (netheq; thrausma): This only occurs in Leviticus 13 and 14 where it is used 14 times to describe bald or scaly patches of eruption on the skin. Such patches are generally the result of the action of parasitic organisms. The common form known now as scalled head is produced by a microscopic plant, Achorion schoenleinii. In Old and Middle English, scall was used for scabbiness of the head (Chaucer and Spenser). See also Skeat, Concise Etymol. Dict. of English Language.

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. ...
/hebrew/5424.htm - 6kScall (9 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SCALL. ... In Old and Middle English, scall was used for
scabbiness of the head (Chaucer and Spenser). See also Skeat, Concise Etymol. ...
/s/scall.htm - 10k

Scale (38 Occurrences)
... if the appearance thereof be deeper than the skin, and there be in it yellow thin
hair, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a scall, it is ...
/s/scale.htm - 22k

Appears (38 Occurrences)
... if the appearance thereof be deeper than the skin, and there be in it yellow thin
hair, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a scall, it is ...
/a/appears.htm - 17k

Yellowish (3 Occurrences)
... if the appearance thereof be deeper than the skin, and there be in it yellow thin
hair, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a scall, it is ...
/y/yellowish.htm - 7k

Pronounced (63 Occurrences)
... the plague, and lo, its appearance is deeper than the skin, and in it a thin shining
hair, and the priest hath pronounced him unclean; it 'is' a scall -- it 'is ...
/p/pronounced.htm - 26k

Shining (115 Occurrences)
... the plague, and lo, its appearance is deeper than the skin, and in it a thin shining
hair, and the priest hath pronounced him unclean; it 'is' a scall -- it 'is ...
/s/shining.htm - 34k

Sore (156 Occurrences)
... sore, and behold, it looketh deeper than the skin, and there is in it yellow thin
hair, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is a scall, the leprosy ...
/s/sore.htm - 40k

Unchanged (11 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:37 But if the scall stay in its appearance, and black hair be grown
up therein; the scall is healed, he is clean; and the priest shall pronounce ...
/u/unchanged.htm - 9k

Looks (76 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:31 And if the priest look on the plague of the scall, and, behold,
the appearance thereof be not deeper than the skin, and there be no black hair ...
/l/looks.htm - 28k

Shaven (7 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:33 He shall be shaven, but the scall shall he not shave; and the priest
shall shut up him that hath the scall seven days more: (KJV JPS ASV WBS). ...
/s/shaven.htm - 8k

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