λεπίς (lepis)
lepis
scale
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun lepis refers to a thin, hard covering or scale, derived from a root meaning "to peel." In the New Testament, it appears only once in Acts 9:18, describing the physical substance that fell from Paul’s eyes when his sight was restored. This specific usage highlights the tangible nature of his healing, moving him from blindness to clarity through a visible, almost surgical removal of the obstruction.
While the word generally denotes the scales of fish or reptiles, its application here is unique. The sources note that in the Septuagint, it often translates Hebrew terms for scaly crusts or dandruff-like substances. This connection suggests that Paul’s blindness was not merely metaphorical but involved a literal, physical barrier that needed to be peeled away, mirroring the peeling action of the root verb.
Translators consistently render lepis as "scale" or "something like scales," emphasizing the flaky, layered texture. The imagery is striking: a thin, dry layer detaching from the eye, leaving it clear. This concrete detail underscores the immediacy and completeness of the miracle, providing a vivid picture of divine intervention in Paul’s life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word lepis describes a thin, hard covering, much like the scale of a fish or a flake of dry skin. In Acts 9:18, it appears in a remarkable moment when Paul’s sight is restored. The text says something like scales fell from his eyes. This concrete detail shows that his healing was physical and real, not just a spiritual feeling.
For your faith, this image reminds us that God can remove the barriers that keep us from seeing clearly. Just as those scales peeled away to reveal light, God clears the confusion in our lives. We do not need to force the change ourselves; we simply receive what He gives. This tangible miracle assures us that His power works in our actual circumstances.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- scales,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- λεπίδες,1×
Key Verses
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Acts 9:18
Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized.
This verse uses lepis to describe the physical substance falling from Paul's eyes, emphasizing the literal and immediate nature of his healing.