Scar
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In biblical literature, the concept of a scar is often symbolic, representing both physical and spiritual realities. While the term "scar" itself is not frequently mentioned in the Bible, the idea of a mark or wound that leaves a lasting impression is prevalent throughout Scripture. Scars can signify healing, remembrance, and the consequences of sin or divine intervention.

Physical Scars

Physical scars in the Bible are often the result of wounds or injuries, which can serve as reminders of past events or divine encounters. For instance, the Apostle Paul speaks of bearing the "marks of Jesus" on his body in Galatians 6:17 : "From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus." These marks, or scars, are believed to be the result of the persecution and suffering he endured for the sake of the Gospel, symbolizing his dedication and union with Christ.

Spiritual and Symbolic Scars

Scars also carry a spiritual and symbolic significance in Scripture. They can represent the consequences of sin or the process of spiritual healing and restoration. In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah speaks of the suffering servant, a messianic figure who is "pierced for our transgressions" and "crushed for our iniquities" (Isaiah 53:5). The wounds and scars of this servant are seen as a means of bringing healing and redemption to others.

In the New Testament, the resurrected Jesus appears to His disciples and shows them the scars from His crucifixion. In John 20:27 , Jesus invites Thomas to touch His wounds: "Then He said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.'" These scars serve as proof of His identity and the reality of His resurrection, offering assurance and faith to His followers.

Scars as Reminders

Scars can also function as reminders of God's faithfulness and deliverance. In the account of Jacob, after wrestling with God, he is left with a limp, a physical reminder of his encounter with the divine (Genesis 32:24-31). This limp, akin to a scar, signifies both the struggle and the blessing he received, marking a pivotal moment in his spiritual journey.

Theological Implications

Theologically, scars can be understood as part of the human experience of suffering and redemption. They remind believers of the cost of sin and the grace of God in providing healing and restoration. Scars, whether physical or spiritual, testify to the transformative power of God's love and the hope of new life in Christ.

In summary, while the Bible does not frequently mention scars explicitly, the concept is woven throughout its narrative, illustrating themes of suffering, healing, and divine encounter. Scars serve as powerful symbols of the enduring impact of God's work in the lives of His people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) A mark in the skin or flesh of an animal, made by a wound or ulcer, and remaining after the wound or ulcer is healed; a cicatrix; a mark left by a previous injury; a blemish; a disfigurement.

2. (n.) A mark left upon a stem or branch by the fall of a leaf, leaflet, or frond, or upon a seed by the separation of its support.

3. (v. t.) To mark with a scar or scars.

4. (v. i.) To form a scar.

5. (n.) An isolated or protruding rock; a steep, rocky eminence; a bare place on the side of a mountain or steep bank of earth.

6. (n.) A marine food fish, the scarus, or parrot fish.

Greek
5179. tupos -- typically
... From tupto; a die (as struck), ie (by implication) a stamp or scar; by analogy,
a shape, ie A statue, (figuratively) style or resemblance; specially, a sampler ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5179.htm - 7k

4742. stigma -- a bed of leaves or rushes
... mark, brand From a primary stizo (to "stick", ie Prick); a mark incised or punched
(for recognition of ownership), ie (figuratively) scar of service -- mark. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4742.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew
6867. tsarebeth -- scab, scar (of a sore)
... 6866b, 6867. tsarebeth. 6868 . scab, scar (of a sore). Transliteration: tsarebeth
Phonetic Spelling: (tsaw-reh'-beth) Short Definition: scar. ...
/hebrew/6867.htm - 6k

4348. mikvah -- a burnt spot, scar of a burn
... 4347, 4348. mikvah. 4349 . a burnt spot, scar of a burn. Transliteration:
mikvah Phonetic Spelling: (mik-vaw') Short Definition: burn. ...
/hebrew/4348.htm - 6k

3587. ki -- a burning, branding
... Word Origin from kavah Definition a burning, branding NASB Word Usage branding
(1). burning. From kavah; a brand or scar -- burning. see HEBREW kavah. ...
/hebrew/3587.htm - 6k

Library

The Scar-Marks of Surrender.
... (Matthew xi. 25-30; Luke x:1, 17, 21-24.) The Scar-marks of Surrender. ... The scar-mark
of Jesus' surrender was not in His ear, as with the old Hebrew slave. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on service/the scar-marks of surrender.htm

Earth's Ugliest, Deepest Scar.
... The Wilderness: Temptation Earth's Ugliest, Deepest Scar. ... This is sin's scar: earth's
hell-scar. There is no talk of the glory of the kingdom here. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/earths ugliest deepest scar.htm

Love, the Motive Power for Service.
... Alexander, in his wars, had been struck by a sword, and across his forehead
was an immense scar. The painter said: "If I retain ...
/.../moody/to the work to the work/chapter ii love the motive.htm

Of what Kind we are to Reckon the Rest (Requies), and End (Finis) ...
... Just as, if any one wished to see the scar, that from thence he might learn that
there had been a wound; or wished to see the window, that through the window ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 6 of what kind we.htm

The Consequences of Sin.
... It leaves a stain or scar. No man is the same after sinning as he was before. The
sin may be forgiven and suffered for, but the scar remains on his soul. ...
/.../xlvii the consequences of sin.htm

Forgiveness and Retribution.
... Every wrong act leaves a scar. Even if the board be a living tree the scar
remains. For our worst sins there is plenteous redemption. ...
/.../moody/sowing and reaping/chapter vii forgiveness and retribution.htm

The Glory of the Goal, --Face to Face
... whitened hair, draped above those deep, tender, unspeakable eyes; that strangely
rough place in the palm so lovingly outstretched; the spear-scar, the nail ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/the glory of the goalface.htm

Psalm LXXV.
... The Lord Jesus could have risen again without any scar: for what great matter were
it for that power, to restore the frame of the body to such perfect soundness ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxv.htm

Fragrant Spices from the Mountains of Myrrh. "Thou Art all Fair ...
... If He had said there is no hideous scar, no horrible deformity, no filthy ulcer,
we might even then have marvelled; but when He testifies that she is free from ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/fragrant spices from the mountains.htm

The Tests of Love to God
... in him. A saint is like a fair face with a scar: we love the beautiful
face of holiness, though there be a scar in it. The best ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the tests of love to.htm

Thesaurus
Scar (3 Occurrences)
... support. 3. (vt) To mark with a scar or scars. 4. (vi) To form a scar. 5 ... fish.
Multi-Version Concordance Scar (3 Occurrences). Leviticus ...
/s/scar.htm - 8k

Unchanged (11 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Leviticus 13:23 But if the bright spot stay in its place, and be not
spread, it is the scar of the boil; and the priest shall pronounce him clean. ...
/u/unchanged.htm - 9k

Stays (21 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:23 But if the bright spot stays in its place, and hasn't spread, it
is the scar from the boil; and the priest shall pronounce him clean. (WEB). ...
/s/stays.htm - 12k

Seam (3 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A line or depression left by a cut or wound; a scar; a cicatrix. ... 7. (vt)
To mark with something resembling a seam; to line; to scar. ...
/s/seam.htm - 8k

Mark (182 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) A trace, dot, line, imprint, or discoloration, although not regarded as
a token or sign; a scratch, scar, stain, etc.; as, this pencil makes a fine mark ...
/m/mark.htm - 93k

Pronounce (47 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:23 But if the bright spot stays in its place, and hasn't spread, it
is the scar from the boil; and the priest shall pronounce him clean. ...
/p/pronounce.htm - 22k

Bright (85 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:23 But if the bright spot stays in its place, and hasn't spread, it
is the scar from the boil; and the priest shall pronounce him clean. ...
/b/bright.htm - 32k

Spot (42 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:23 But if the bright spot stays in its place, and hasn't spread, it
is the scar from the boil; and the priest shall pronounce him clean. ...
/s/spot.htm - 24k

Scarce (6 Occurrences)

/s/scarce.htm - 8k

Remains (118 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Leviticus 13:23 But if the bright spot stays in its place, and hasn't
spread, it is the scar from the boil; and the priest shall pronounce him clean. ...
/r/remains.htm - 34k

Resources
What was the mark that God put on Cain (Genesis 4:15)? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to have a seared conscience? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about body piercings? | GotQuestions.org

Scar: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Scar (3 Occurrences)

Leviticus 13:23
But if the bright spot stays in its place, and hasn't spread, it is the scar from the boil; and the priest shall pronounce him clean.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 13:28
If the bright spot stays in its place, and hasn't spread in the skin, but is faded, it is the swelling from the burn, and the priest shall pronounce him clean; for it is the scar from the burn.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Hosea 5:13
And see doth Ephraim his sickness, and Judah his wound, And Ephraim goeth unto Asshur, And sendeth unto a warlike king, And he is not able to give healing to you, Nor doth he remove from you a scar.
(YLT)

Subtopics

Scar

Related Terms

Scar (3 Occurrences)

Scarcely (14 Occurrences)

Version

Gate (248 Occurrences)

Restrain (31 Occurrences)

Restrained (51 Occurrences)

Reaping (10 Occurrences)

Dung (27 Occurrences)

Drawer (1 Occurrence)

Deer (15 Occurrences)

Michal (18 Occurrences)

Poti-phera (3 Occurrences)

Potiphera (3 Occurrences)

Brick (10 Occurrences)

Bathing (9 Occurrences)

Spare (80 Occurrences)

Build (242 Occurrences)

Building (249 Occurrences)

Banquet (58 Occurrences)

Bottle (28 Occurrences)

Food (2953 Occurrences)

Water (4571 Occurrences)

Palm (49 Occurrences)

Bath (13 Occurrences)

Suffering (104 Occurrences)

Zoology

Plagues (28 Occurrences)

Sayings (134 Occurrences)

Father's (251 Occurrences)

Tree (245 Occurrences)

Purity (16 Occurrences)

Writing (194 Occurrences)

English

Versions

Egypt (596 Occurrences)

Scapegoat: General Scriptures Concerning
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