The Jackal

In the past the golden or Indian jackal has been a very common creature throughout the Holy Land and the surrounding areas, such as Sinai. It is strange, therefore, that it finds no mention in the AV. However, a number of words in the Hebrew Scriptures may refer to this creature:

‘Iyim.—This word means ‘howlers’ and is translated ‘wild beasts’ in the AV, for example in Isaiah 13:22; 34:14 and Jeremiah 50:39, each time in the phrase “wild beasts of the islands”.

Tannim.—This word is usually translated ‘dragon’s in the AV, and has the meaning ‘long extended things’. This name can be applied to jackals because of their long extended wailing howls. The context is used to decide the suitability of the translation, as is the case in the following passages, where they are said to

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Author: David Green

Keywords: Jackal, Dragon, Fox, Foxes

Bible reference(s): Isaiah 13:22, Micah 1:8, Psa 63:10, Isaiah 13:22, Isa 34:14, Jer 50:39, Mal. 1:3, Job 30:29, Jer. 10:22, Judges 15:4-5, Lam. 2:16, Ps. 137:7, Obad. 1:12-14, Ezek 13:4, Ezek. 25:3, Ezek 25:6, Ezek 25:8, Ezek 25:12, Ezek 25:15, Song 2:15, Lam 5:18, Neh 4:3

Source: “The Sinai Peninsula: Mammals,” The Testimony, Vol. 74, No. 878, February 2004, pp. 53-5.

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