Tag Archives: Animals

The “wild goats” of the Old Testament

Posted on May 13, 2013 | 2 comments

Wild goats (Hebrew ya’el) are mentioned in a few Old Testament passages (1 Samuel 24:2; Job 39:1; Psalm 104:18; Prov. 5:19). This animal is often identified with the Ibex.

The ibex, a type of wild goat, is still found in Southern Palestine, Sinai, Egypt and Arabia; it was known also in ancient times, as is evident from rock carvings. (Fauna and Flora of the Bible, 46).

The wild goats are associated with En Gedi on the shore of the Dead Sea.

Now when Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, saying, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. (1 Samuel 24:1-2 NAU)

The Ibex may also be seen at En (Ein) Avdat (Avedat) and Mitzpe Ramon in Israel. The photo below shows one of the young Ibex on the run at En Avdat

Young Ibex on the run at En Avdat. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Young Ibex on the run at En Avdat. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The next photo illustrates how well the Ibex blend in with the terrain in which they live.

Ibex at Avdat in the Wilderness of Zin. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Ibex at En Avdat in the Wilderness of Zin. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The last photo shows the sure-footed Ibex seeking out the high places.

Ibex in the wilderness of Zin near En Avdat. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Ibex in the wilderness of Zin near En Avdat. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The reference to the hind or deer (Hebrew ayyalah) in Psalm 18:33 (Hebrew 18:34) indicates a different species, but the analogy is the same. Both Hebrew terms are used in Job 39;1.

He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, And sets me upon my high places. (Psalm 18:33 NAU)

He gives me the agility of a deer; he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain. (Psalm 18:33 NET)

If you would like to see another photo of the Ibex at En Gedi, click here.

Personal Note: A few friends who have missed the blog have contacted me to see if I had returned home and was doing o.k. The answer is yes, and yes. After being away for three weeks I needed some time to recoup, tend to personal matters, and get my photos organized. The subscription price remains the same. Thanks for your concern.

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Posted in Bible Lands, Bible Places, Bible Study, Israel, Old Testament, Photography, Travel

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“Hyenas will cry in its towers”

Posted on August 5, 2012 | 1 comment

Hyenas are mentioned only three times in the English Standard Version (Isaiah 13:22; 34:14; Jeremiah 50:39). Several English versions use hyenas only once.

The prophet Isaiah describes the overthrow of ancient Babylon. The town that once was the capital of the world would become a desolate place. The important buildings, once housing the likes of Nebuchadnezzar, would become a haunt for the wild animals.

Hyenas will cry in its towers, and jackals in the pleasant palaces; (Isaiah 13:22 ESV)

Hyena at Hai-Bar Nature Reserve in southern Israel. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Hyena at Hai-Bar Nature Reserve in southern Israel. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Here is a portion of A. E. Day’s description of the hyena.

The Palestinian hyena is the striped hyena (Hyaena striata) which ranges from India to North Africa. The striped, the spotted, and the brown hyenas constitute a distinct family of the order of Carnivora, having certain peculiarities of dentition and having four toes on each foot, instead of four behind and five in front, as in most of the order. The hyena is a nocturnal animal, rarely seen though fairly abundant, powerful but cowardly, a feeder on carrion and addicted to grave-robbing. (The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised, p. 787.

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Posted in Bible Places, Bible Study, Old Testament, Photography, Travel

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Those who ride white female donkeys

Posted on February 15, 2012 | 2 comments

Deborah was a prophetess who judged Israel (Judges 4:4). In the Song of Deborah, the prophetess describes the conditions in the country before she arrived on the scene.

Caravans had ceased. Travelers kept to the side roads. There were no warriors in Israel till Deborah arose. She describes herself “as a mother in Israel” (Judges 5:7). She cared for and nurtured the nation just as a mother cares for and nurtures her own child. Under her leadership warriors arose and conditions improved.

6 “In the days of Shamgar son of Anath,
in the days of Jael, the caravans had ceased,
the travelers, they kept to the byways.
7 The warriors ceased;
they failed to appear in Israel;
until I, Deborah, arose;
I arose as a mother in Israel.
8 God chose new leaders,
then war was at the gates;
a small shield for a spear was not seen
among forty thousand in Israel.
9 My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel,
those offering themselves willingly among the people;
bless Yahweh!
10 The riders of white female donkeys,
those sitting on saddle blankets,
and those going on the way, talk about it!
11 At the sound of those dividing the sheep
among the watering places,
there they will recount the righteous deeds of Yahweh,
the righteous deeds for his warriors in Israel.
Then the people of Yahweh went down to the gates.
12 “Wake up, wake up, Deborah!
Wake up, wake up, sing a song!
Get up, Barak!
Take captive your captives, O son of Abinoam.  (Judges 5:6-12, The Lexham English Bible)

Verse 10 caught my attention. Deborah mentioned the riders of “white female donkeys” who sat on saddle blankets. I take it that these were the more well to do individuals.

Donkey and colt at Nazareth Village. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Donkey and colt at Nazareth Village. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The Hebrew word used for white is defined in several lexicons as “tawny.” The donkey being described by Deborah might look more like the one below.

Donkey near Nebi Samwil and Gibeon. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Donkey between Nebi Samwil and Gibeon. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

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Posted in Bible Lands, Bible Places, Bible Study, Israel, Old Testament, Photography, Travel

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Don’t underestimate the donkey

Posted on September 8, 2011 | 1 comment

Yesterday when our driver was trying to locate the way to el-Jib (= Gibeon) we passed an area in the territory of Benjamin where someone, presumably a Bedouin, had two tents, some small fields, a truck, and a donkey tethered out front.

Donkey and Bedouin Tents Near Gibeon. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Donkey and Bedouin Tents Near Gibeon. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

There are many biblical references to the donkey. I will list just one for now. The importance of the donkey is seen in the Ten Commandments. The neighbor’s donkey is not to be coveted. Most urban dwellers of today would never think of doing that. But in Bible times the donkey was used in the fields, carried heavy loads, provided transportation for the owner, and supplied fertilizer for some crops.

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.” (Exodus 20:17 ESV)

Today was a slow day — finalizing some matters and packing to return home. Resting a little, too.  Ready to begin the long flight back home in a short time. Did I complete the “bucket list” for this trip? Not quite. Probably completed about 80% of it. Well that leaves some places to begin with for the next trip. Like my friend Larry often says, “Life is good!”

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Posted in Bible Places, Bible Study, Culture, Israel, Photography, Travel

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The cost of discipleship: “foxes have holes”

Posted on March 6, 2009 | Leave a comment

Jesus used simple illustrations to reach the heart. When someone said, “I will follow You wherever You go,” He responded this way:

As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” (Luke 9:57-58 NASu; see Matthew 8:19-20)

Foxes have holes. Photo at Hai Bar Nature Reserve by Ferrell Jenkins.

Foxes have holes. Photo at Hai Bar Nature Reserve by Ferrell Jenkins.

William Barclay, in The Daily Study Bible, comments on this account at Matthew 8:19-20.

It is as if Jesus said to this man: “Before you follow me—think what you are doing. Before you follow me—count the cost.

Jesus did not want followers who were swept away by a moment of emotion, which quickly blazed and just as quickly died. He did not want men who were carried away by a tide of mere feeling, which quickly flowed and just as quickly ebbed. He wanted men who knew what they were doing. He talked about taking up a cross (Matthew 10:38). He talked about setting himself above the dearest relationships in life (Luke 14:26); he talked about giving away everything to the poor (Matthew 19:21). He was always saying to men: “Yes, I know that your heart is running out to me, but—do you love me enough for that?”

Jesus still demands full allegiance.

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Posted in Bible Study, Israel, New Testament

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