Deuteronomy 14:5 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois.

The hart - (see the note at Deuteronomy 12:15.)

Fallow deer, х wªyachmuwr (H3180), from chaamar (H2560), to be red] - does not represent the fallow deer, which is unknown in Western Asia, but an antelope (Oryx leucoryx) called by the Arabs, Jazmar. It is of a white colour, black at the extremities, and a bright red on the thighs. It was used at Solomon's table (1 Kings 4:23). Niebuhr describes it as frequenting the sandy deserts of Eastern Arabia, where it finds its favourite food from the leaves of the dwarfish acacias; and most probably it abounded in the Transjordanic pasture lands obtained by the Israelites.

Wild goat, х wª'aqow (H689); Septuagint, dorkada]. This word is different from that commonly used for a wild goat (1 Samuel 24:2; Psalms 104:18; Proverbs 5:19); and it is supposed to be the tragelaphus, a goat deer having the body of a stag, but the head, horns, and beard of a goat. An animal of this sort is found in the East, and called Lerwee (Shaw's 'Travels,' supplement, p. 96; also 'Nineveh and its Remains,' 2:, p. 431).

Pygarg, х wªdiyshon (H1788); Septuagint, pugargon] - a species of antelope (Oryx addar) with white buttocks, wreathed horns 2 feet in length, and standing about 3 feet 7 inches high at the shoulders. It is common in the tracts which the Israelites had frequented (Shaw).

Wild ox, х uwt'ow (H8377); Septuagint, oruga] - supposed to be the Nubian Oryx, which differs from the Oryx leucoryx (called "wild bull," Isaiah 51:20; also by the Targums), formerly mentioned, by its black colour; and it is, moreover, of larger stature and a more slender frame, with longer and more curled horns. It is called Bekkar-El-Wash by the Arabs.

Chamois, х waazaamer (H2169) - rendered by the Septuagint, kameelopardalin; but by others, who rightly judge, it must have been an animal more familiar to the Hebrews]: it is thought to be the Kebsch (Ovis tragelaphus), rather larger than a common sheep, covered, not with wool, but with reddish hair-a Syrian sheep-like goat.

CONCERNING BIRDS.

Deuteronomy 14:5

5 The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois.