Crusade BibleCrusade Bible
Vatopedi Manuscript 602 Samson and the Foxesfrom the Middle Ages, unknown · 1250–00

Fox

שׁוּעָל/FOKS/

“Burrower, from its habit of digging holes”

Summary

A cunning wild canine mentioned in Scripture both literally and figuratively, with the Hebrew term likely including jackals in some passages.

☩Identification

The Hebrew shual and Greek alopex refer to foxes, though the terms may include jackals in some contexts. The Syrian fox (Vulpes Thaleb) is the genuine species indigenous to Palestine, being ochry-rufous above and whitish beneath. Jackals are more gregarious than foxes, which are solitary. Both animals abound in Palestine, living in deserted ruins and mountain gorges.

Key verses:Judges 15:4Nehemiah 4:3Psalm 63:10Lamentations 5:18

☩Samson's Foxes

In Judges 15, Samson caught three hundred 'foxes' and tied them tail to tail with firebrands to burn the Philistines' grain. These were likely jackals rather than foxes, since jackals are gregarious and easier to catch in numbers, while foxes are solitary. Samson probably had help catching them and released them from different places to consume greater quantities of the harvest.

Key verses:Judges 15:4-5

☩Figurative Uses

The fox's proverbial cunning is alluded to when Jesus called Herod 'that fox,' expressing contempt for his craftiness. False prophets are compared to foxes in the deserts for their ravenous, crafty nature. The 'little foxes that spoil the vines' represent subtle sins that damage spiritual life. Foxes burrowing among ruins symbolize desolation, as in Lamentations 5:18.

Key verses:Ezekiel 13:4Song of Solomon 2:15Luke 13:32

☩Jesus' Teaching

Christ's allusion to foxes having holes takes its meaning from the contrast: while even outcast creatures have definite places of refuge and rest, the Son of Man had nowhere to lay His head. This highlighted His voluntary poverty and homelessness during His earthly ministry, contrasting His glory as Creator with His humiliation as Redeemer.

Key verses:Matthew 8:20Luke 9:58

Related Verses9 mentions

Luke· 2 verses

9:5813:32

Matthew· 1 verse

8:20

Judges· 1 verse

15:4

Psalms· 1 verse

63:10

See Also

The Animals Entering Noah's Ark, oil on canvas painting by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione called Il Grechetto
Animals

References

  1. 1.James Orr (ed.), "Fox," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
  2. 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Fox," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  3. 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Fox," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
  4. 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Fox," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
  5. 5.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Fox," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).