Bible Dictionary
Hyaena
The hyaena is a scavenging carnivore found in the regions around Palestine. A difficult Hebrew term in Jeremiah may refer to a hyaena or to a speckled bird.
Definition
The hyaena is a scavenging carnivore found in Africa, Asia Minor, Arabia, and Persia, and especially common in Palestine among the larger carnivorous animals. The striped hyaena scavenges in wilderness, woods, and on the shore, and can crack large bones with its powerful teeth.
Biblical Usage
A difficult Hebrew term in Jeremiah may mean either “hyaena” or “speckled bird.” The name Zeboim is associated with a valley of hyaenas in the supplied material.
Historical Background
Hyaenas may attack animals and dig up the bodies of people and beasts. They were common in ancient Egypt and were repeatedly represented on Egyptian monuments, so they would have been familiar to the Jews.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Authorities differ as to whether the term tzabu’a in (Jeremiah 12:9) means a “hyaena” or a “speckled bird.” The only other instance in which it occurs is as a proper name, Zeboim, (1 Samuel 13:18) “the valley of hyaenas, “Aquila; (Nehemiah 11:34) The striped hyaena (Hyaena striata) is found in Africa, Asia Minor, Arabia and Persia, and is more common in Palestine than any other carnivorous animals except perhaps the jackal. The hyaena is among the mammals what the vulture is among birds,—the scavenger of the wilderness, the woods and the shore.—It often attacks animals, and Sometimes digs up the dead bodies of men and beasts. From this last habit the hyaena has been regarded as a horrible and mysterious creature. Its teeth are so powerful that they can crack the bones of an ox with ease.—Appelton’s Encyc. The hyaena was common in ancient as in modern Egypt, and is constantly depicted upon monuments; it must therefore have been well known to the Jews.