Sand-Lizard
NatureWhat is the meaning of Sand-Lizard in the Bible?
The Hebrew term 'sandal' (often translated as sand-lizard or gecko) refers to a type of skink listed among unclean creeping things in Leviticus 11:29-30 and appears nowhere else in the biblical canon.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying this specific reptile clarifies the precise biological categories used in Levitical law to distinguish between clean and unclean animals for dietary and ritual purposes.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Sand-Lizard were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Sand-Lizard in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Sand-Lizard clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Leviticus 11:29-30
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Sand-Lizard." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/sandlizard/