And the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole.
The ferret, х haa'anaaqaah (H604)]. Gesenius pronounces this to be 'a reptile, probably of the lizard genus, having its name from the moaning cry uttered by some species of lizards.' [The Septuagint renders it mugalee, mus araneus-a shrew mouse, a very small animal, said to be able to climb by a spider's thread, and whose bite is venomous.]
The chameleon, х hakoach (H3581); Septuagint, chamaileoon, Chameleo Africanus] - a large green lizard, supposed by Bochart ('Hieroz.,' vol. 2:, p. 1069) and the generality of biblical scholars to be what is called by the Arabs the warral, which is found sometimes 30 inches in length. It is of a bright red colour, with dark spots (Shaw's 'Travels,' 2:, p. 328).
The lizard, х halTaa'aah (H3911); Septuagint, chalabootees] - a particular species of Saura, abounding in various parts of Arabia and Egypt; Ptyodactylus gecko, the fan-foot lizard, reddish brown, with white spots. Bochart derives the Hebrew name from the Arab lataa, to adhere to the ground. It lives on insects and worms, which it swallows whole. It is said to exude poison from the toes.
Snail, х hachomeT (H2546); Septuagint, saura] - a species of lizard; for undoubtedly this view of it is more in accordance with the context than the interpretation which our translators, following Jewish writers, have adopted. Bochart, founding on a doubtful etymology, derives the name from a word signifying sand, and supposes it to be a lizard of an azure colour, which lives in the sand, called by the Arabs chulca, or chulaca.
The mole, х hatinshaamet (H8580); Septuagint, aspalax-which has been followed by our translators]. 'Tinsshemeth,' or "mole," says Professor Owen, in his 'Report of the British Museum,' 1865, 'may have referred to the species of Spalax in the present collection, in which there is no true Talpa.' But it is probable that a species of lizard is meant; and Bochart, deriving the name from a root signifying to breathe, concludes that the animal referred to was the chameleon, which, from its power of inflating its belly, is supposed, according to common belief, to live on air. It resembles the crocodile in shape, but is very dissimilar in size and in habits. Its flesh, according to Pliny, after being cooked and dried, was reduced to powder, and used medicinally as a specific in cases of fever and various diseases.