Land-Crocodile
NatureWhat is the meaning of Land-Crocodile in the Bible?
The Hebrew term tzenaphphah, appearing in Leviticus 11:30 among animals deemed unclean for consumption, has historically been identified as a crocodile or monitor lizard, though contemporary scholarship indicates it likely refers to a skink or similar small lizard indigenous to the Near East.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the probable zoological identity of this term illuminates the specific environmental context of ancient Israelite dietary laws, allowing readers to better grasp the practical distinctions between clean and unclean animals based on the local fauna known to the biblical authors.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Land-Crocodile in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Land-Crocodile clarify?
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.