Scales
/SKAYLZ/
Summary
Fish scales required for clean food, crocodile armor, and figuratively the covering that fell from Paul's eyes at his conversion.
☩Literal Uses
The Hebrew 'qasqeseth' denotes the imbricated scales of fish, which with the dorsal fin distinguished clean from unclean fish. It is also used figuratively for a coat of mail (Goliath's armor). The crocodile's scales (Job 41) are described as 'horny scutes' imbedded in the skin.
Key verses:Leviticus 11:9Deuteronomy 14:91 Samuel 17:5Job 41:15
☩Paul's Experience
At Paul's conversion, 'there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight.' The Greek 'lepis' here describes the sensation terminating his three days of blindness. The phrase has entered English idiom—we speak of 'scales falling from one's eyes' meaning sudden illumination or dissipation of doubt.
Key verses:Acts 9:18Acts 22:13
Related Verses9 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Scales," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Scales," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Orr (ed.), "Scales," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 4.James Orr (ed.), "Scales," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).