Ferret
NatureWhat is the meaning of Ferret in the Bible?
The Hebrew word shaphan, translated as 'ferret' in the King James Version of Leviticus 11:30, is identified in modern scholarship as likely referring to the rock badger or hyrax, a small mammal native to the Middle East, rather than the mustelid ferret.
SIGNIFICANCE
Correcting this translation clarifies the dietary laws by identifying an animal actually present in the biblical landscape, demonstrating how accurate zoological identification resolves textual ambiguities in ancient religious codes.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Ferret were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Ferret in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Ferret clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Leviticus 11:30
Related Topics
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
"Ferret." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/ferret/