Topics

Scall

A scall was a diseased condition of the scalp in ancient Israel that required priestly examination and quarantine. It was one of several skin conditions addressed in the Levitical laws of ceremonial cleanliness.

Overview

The scall (Hebrew: ???, netheq) was a skin disease affecting the scalp or beard, likely a form of ringworm or similar fungal infection. The Levitical laws required priests to examine the affected person and determine whether they were ceremonially clean or unclean, with isolation required for those deemed unclean.

Key Scriptures

"If a man or woman has a disease on the head or on the beard, the priest shall examine the disease. And if it appears deeper than the skin, and the hair in it is yellow and thin, the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is a scall, a leprosy of the head or the beard." (Leviticus 13:29-30, ESV)

"But if the scall is in his sight at a standstill and black hair has grown in it, the scall is healed. He is clean, and the priest shall pronounce him clean." (Leviticus 13:37, ESV)

Application

These passages remind us that God cares about our physical health and established boundaries to protect His people from disease transmission.

Scripture References 1
Full Topical Reference List 1 total — Nave's Topical Bible

A form of leprosy.