Lizard
“Possibly from a root meaning 'to cling to the ground'”
Summary
Any of various species of cold-blooded reptiles abundant in the Near East, classified as unclean animals under Mosaic law.
☩Unclean Creatures
Leviticus 11:29-30 lists eight names of unclean 'creeping things,' several of which refer to different lizard species. The Hebrew 'letaah' (Leviticus 11:30) is translated 'lizard' and likely refers to the gecko or a similar species that clings close to the ground. These creatures were not to be eaten, and contact with their dead bodies rendered a person ceremonially unclean.
☩Varieties in Scripture
Various Hebrew terms describe different lizard species: 'koach' may be the monitor lizard or stellio; 'chomet' possibly the skink or sand-lizard; 'tinshemeth' perhaps the chameleon; and 'tsab' likely the thorny-tailed lizard still called 'dhab' by Arabs. The gecko (Ptyodactylus lobatus), which clings to smooth walls using adhesive toe disks, is common in Palestinian houses and is called 'father of leprosy' by Arabs due to its sickly appearance, though it is harmless.
☩Symbol of Wisdom
In Proverbs 30:28, the 'semamith' (translated 'spider' in KJV, 'lizard' in RV) is listed among 'four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise.' The verse notes it 'taketh hold with her hands, yet is she in kings' palaces'—likely referring to the gecko's remarkable ability to climb walls and enter the finest buildings.
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Lizard," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Lizard," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).