Rock-Badger
NatureWhat is the meaning of Rock-Badger in the Bible?
The term 'rock-badger' is the English translation of the Afrikaans 'klipdas', used by Boers to refer to the Cape hyrax or coney. This translation appears in the margin of the Revised Version of the Bible for the Hebrew word 'shaphan', which occurs in Leviticus 11:5, Deuteronomy 14:7, Psalm 104:18, and Proverbs 30:26.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing that the 'rock-badger' refers to the Cape hyrax clarifies the zoological basis for biblical dietary laws and poetic imagery. This identification grounds ancient textual references in specific biological facts, allowing readers to better understand the natural world described in Scripture.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Rock-Badger in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Rock-Badger 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.