Hedgehog
NatureWhat is the meaning of Hedgehog in the Bible?
The Hebrew terms qippodh and qippoz, translated as 'hedgehog' in the Septuagint, appear in Isaiah 14:23, 34:11, and Zechariah 2:14 to denote a spiny mammal, likely the hedgehog or porcupine.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying the hedgehog as the specific animal referenced clarifies the biblical imagery of desolation and wildness, grounding the prophets' metaphors in the actual fauna of the ancient Near East.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Hedgehog were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Hedgehog in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Hedgehog clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Isaiah 14:23Zechariah 2:14
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
"Hedgehog." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/hedgehog/