Pygarg
NatureWhat is the meaning of Pygarg in the Bible?
The pygarg is an antelope species, likely the addax or white oryx, mentioned in Deuteronomy 14:5 as a clean animal permitted for Israelite consumption.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the pygarg as a native Near Eastern antelope illuminates the ecological setting of biblical dietary laws, showing that the permitted diet included large, white-horned game from arid regions.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Pygarg were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Pygarg in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Pygarg clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Deuteronomy 14:5
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
"Pygarg." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/pygarg/