The meaning of Gazelle in the Bible
(From International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
ga-zel' (tsebhi, and feminine tsebhiyah; compare Tabeitha (Acts 9:36), and Arabic zabi; also Arabic ghazal; Dorkas (Acts 9:36); modern Greek zarkadi): The word "gazelle" does not occur in the King James Version, where tsebhi and tsebhiyah, in the 16 passages where they occur, are uniformly translated "roe" or "roebuck." In the Revised Version (British and American) the treatment is not uniform. We find "gazelle" without comment in Deuteronomy 12:15, Deuteronomy 12:22; Deuteronomy 14:5; Deuteronomy 15:22; I Kings 4:23. We find "roe," with marginal note "or gazelle," in Proverbs 6:5; Song of Solomon 2:7, Song of Solomon 2:9, Song of Solomon 2:17; Song of Solomon 4:5; Song of Solomon 8:14; Isaiah 13:14. We find "roe" without comment in II Samuel 2:18; I Chronicles 12:8; Song of Solomon 3:5; Song of Solomon 7:3. In the last passage cited, Song of Solomon 7:3, while the American Standard Revised Version has no note, the English Revised Version refers to Song of Solomon 4:5, where "gazelle" is graven in the margin. In the opinion of the writer, the rendering should be "gazelle" in all of these passages. It must be acknowledged, however, that the gazelle and the roe-deer are of about the same size, and are sometimes confused with each other. The Greek dorkas may refer to either, and in Syria the roe-deer is sometimes called ghazal or even wa'l, which is the proper name of the Persian wild goat.
The gazelle is an antelope belonging to the bovine family of the even-toed ruminants. There are more than twenty species of gazelle, all belonging to Asia and Africa. The species found in Syria and Palestine is the Dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas). It is 2 ft. high at the shoulders. Both sexes have unbranched, lyrate, ringed horns, which may be a foot long. The general coloration is tawny, but it is creamy white below and on the rump, and has a narrow white line from above the eye to the nostril. Several varieties have been distinguished, but they will not bear elevation to the rank of species, except perhaps Gazelle merilli a form of which a few specimens have been obtained from the Judean hills, having distinctly different horns from those of the common gazelle. The gazelle is found singly or in small groups on the interior plains and the uplands, but not in the high mountains. It is a marvel of lightness and grace, and a herd, when alarmed, makes off with great rapidity over the roughest country (II Samuel 2:18; I Chronicles 12:8; Proverbs 6:5; Song of Solomon 8:14). The beauty of the eyes is proverbial. The skin is used for floor coverings, pouches or shoes, and the flesh is eaten, though not highly esteemed.
See DEER; GOAT; ZOOLOGY.
Alfred Ely Day
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