Scab
“From a root meaning 'to scratch'”
Summary
Various skin diseases characterized by crusty patches or eruptions, rendering persons ceremonially unclean under Mosaic law.
☩Types and Hebrew Terms
Several Hebrew words are translated 'scab': garab (a diseased scurf), mispachath (a harmless cutaneous eruption), sappachath (mange causing hair loss), and yallepheth (itching tetter). These conditions required examination by the priest to determine if they caused ceremonial uncleanness.
☩Priestly Examination
Milder cases with localized, small patches did not render the bearer unclean and were to be distinguished by the priest from more virulent, spreading eruptions which caused ceremonial uncleanness. Severe forms disqualified sons of Aaron from priestly service and rendered animals unfit for burnt offerings.
☩As Divine Judgment
Scabs were threatened as divine punishment. Moses warned that disobedience would bring 'the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch.' Isaiah prophesied that the Lord would 'smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion' for their wanton haughtiness.
Related Verses9 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Scab," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Scab, Scabbed," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).