Pygarg
“Possibly 'to leap' or 'to tread'”
Summary
The pygarg was a clean animal permitted for food in the Mosaic law, probably a species of white-rumped antelope native to the biblical lands.
☩Identification
The Hebrew word dishon, translated 'pygarg' in older versions, appears only once in the list of clean animals. The Greek pygargos means 'white-rumped,' describing a characteristic common to many deer and antelopes that helps fleeing herds keep their leaders in sight. The Septuagint translators, living near the habitat of such animals, were likely knowledgeable in their identification.
☩Possible Species
Various identifications have been proposed. Some suggest the addax (Addax nasomaculatus), a coarse and heavy North African antelope, though its range may not extend into Palestine. Others propose the white gazelle or certain species of antelope with distinctive white rumps contrasting with their darker flanks. The mohr kind of antelope, with its dramatic white rump against deep brown-red flanks, fits the description well.
Related Verses1 mention
Deuteronomy· 1 verse
See Also
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Pygarg," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Pygarg," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Pygarg," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).