Click to go back to this group
Life in Bible Times



Mammals


FREE PICTURES


Addax (the Pygarg).

Addax

Addax (the Pygarg)..

Ass bred in Palestine (Equus asinus).

Ass

Ass bred in Palestine (Equus asinus)..

Wild asses or Onagers `who snuffed up the wind` in the vain hope of moisture in the air during a time of severe drought. An early photograph.

Asses

Wild asses or Onagers `who snuffed up the wind` in the vain hope of moisture in the air during a time of severe drought. An early photograph..

Camel drivers take their beasts to a trough by a well where they can drink. An early photograph.

Camel

Camel drivers take their beasts to a trough by a well where they can drink. An early photograph..

Camels resting at the foot of the fortress of Masada.

Camels

Camels resting at the foot of the fortress of Masada..

Camel.

Camel

Camel..
FREE PICTURE

Conies, one of the four small wise things (Proverbs 30,26). Its flesh is considered a delicacy by the Arabs. But `conies` are not easily caught. They are wise enough to make `their houses in the rocks` of inaccessible gorges.

Conies

Conies, one of the four small wise things (Proverbs 30,26). Its flesh is considered a delicacy by the Arabs. But `conies` are not easily caught. They are wise enough to make `their houses in the rocks` of inaccessible gorges.. They come out to feed at early morning and evening, and shrilly warn their fellows if alarmed. The cony is found throughout the mountainous areas of Israel.

Donkey and foal at Tantur

Donkey

Donkey and foal at Tantur.

Donkey near Bethlehem. Donkeys were very valuable for transport, especially in mountainous areas where they can walk sure-footedly.

Donkey

Donkey near Bethlehem. Donkeys were very valuable for transport, especially in mountainous areas where they can walk sure-footedly..

This desert dormouse is one of the species referred to as `mouse` (Hebrew akbar).

Dormouse

This desert dormouse is one of the species referred to as `mouse` (Hebrew akbar)..

Animals figurines from Egypt - Hedgehog, Cat and a Baboon head

Egypt

Animals figurines from Egypt - Hedgehog, Cat and a Baboon head.

This gazelle fawn is feeding on its own, but the mother is a small distance away, keeping watch. Gradually the fawn learns independence.

Gazelle

This gazelle fawn is feeding on its own, but the mother is a small distance away, keeping watch. Gradually the fawn learns independence..

Hedgehogs can live even in deserts. In Zeph.2:14, hedgehogs are said to live among the ruins of Nineveh.

Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs can live even in deserts. In Zeph.2:14, hedgehogs are said to live among the ruins of Nineveh..

The Ibex is found particularly among the rocks of Engedi. Sometimes they are translated as `wild goats` ( eg Ps.104:18).

Ibex

The Ibex is found particularly among the rocks of Engedi. Sometimes they are translated as `wild goats` ( eg Ps.104:18)..

Leopards were known to Israelites, but they were not common.

Leopards

Leopards were known to Israelites, but they were not common..

A Lion in a mosaic floor at the Byzantine Beth Gubrin. When this was made, lions were still found in Israel.

Lion

A Lion in a mosaic floor at the Byzantine Beth Gubrin. When this was made, lions were still found in Israel..

Lions used to be common in the forests of Israel. There have not been wild lions in Israel since the 11th century AD.

Lions

Lions used to be common in the forests of Israel. There have not been wild lions in Israel since the 11th century AD..

This ox and ass are `unequally yoked`, because they work at different speeds with different strengths. This thresher has put his ox on the outside of a circular path, so that the ass has less work to do.

Unequally Yoked

This ox and ass are `unequally yoked`, because they work at different speeds with different strengths. This thresher has put his ox on the outside of a circular path, so that the ass has less work to do..

The porcupine is rarely seen because it sleeps all day in its burrow. It causes much crop damage, leaving some black and white spines behind as evidence.

Porcupine

The porcupine is rarely seen because it sleeps all day in its burrow. It causes much crop damage, leaving some black and white spines behind as evidence..

The mosaic floor of the synagogue at Beth Alpha (6th C AD) showing a rabbit eating grapes.

Rabbit

The mosaic floor of the synagogue at Beth Alpha (6th C AD) showing a rabbit eating grapes..

Sheep still graze throughout Israel, like these under an ancient olive tree.

Sheep

Sheep still graze throughout Israel, like these under an ancient olive tree. .

A lion being released for hunting, from an Babylonian Illustration. (Shows that lions were kept by Babylonians, as Daniel`s story suggests)

Lion Den

A lion being released for hunting, from an Babylonian Illustration. (Shows that lions were kept by Babylonians, as Daniel`s story suggests).

Tachaitze antelope (Antilope barbata), Heb. TaChaSh, sometimes translated Badger, but should perhaps be translated Antelope, or perhaps Sea Cow.

Antelope

Tachaitze antelope (Antilope barbata), Heb. TaChaSh, sometimes translated Badger, but should perhaps be translated Antelope, or perhaps Sea Cow..

Greater Wild Ass or Dziggetai (Asinus hemionus), Heb. PeReA or `aROD

Ass

Greater Wild Ass or Dziggetai (Asinus hemionus), Heb. PeReA or `aROD.

Barbastelle bat (Barbastellus communis)

Bat

Barbastelle bat (Barbastellus communis).

Syrian bear (Ursus Syriacus)

Bear

Syrian bear (Ursus Syriacus).

Wild boar, which were common in Palestine. cf Ps.80.13

Boar

Wild boar, which were common in Palestine. cf Ps.80.13.

Buffalo: a possible translation of Behemoth.

Buffalo

Buffalo: a possible translation of Behemoth..

Wild bull (Antilope bubalis), Heb.TOA and TAO (Deut.14.5, Is.51.20)

Bull

Wild bull (Antilope bubalis), Heb.TOA and TAO (Deut.14.5, Is.51.20).

Wild bull (Bos urus), as common in Europe

Bull

Wild bull (Bos urus), as common in Europe.

Wild Bull (Bos gayaeus) or `ox`

Bull

Wild Bull (Bos gayaeus) or `ox`.

Dromedary, being used for hunting by Assyrians - the single-humped Arabian camel which is faster and lighter.

Camel

Dromedary, being used for hunting by Assyrians - the single-humped Arabian camel which is faster and lighter..

Bactrian camels - double humped and capable of carrying more loads oever greater distances.

Camel

Bactrian camels - double humped and capable of carrying more loads oever greater distances..

Sole of a camel`s foot, with the fleshy cusion

Camel

Sole of a camel`s foot, with the fleshy cusion.

Dromedaries

Camel

Dromedaries.

Conies

Cony

Conies.

Cony (Hyrax Syriacus)

Cony

Cony (Hyrax Syriacus).

Addax antelop (Orys addax), Heb. YaChMOR, translated fallow deer (Deut.14.5, 1King.4.23)

Deer

Addax antelop (Orys addax), Heb. YaChMOR, translated fallow deer (Deut.14.5, 1King.4.23).

Hinds (Cervus elaphus)

Deer

Hinds (Cervus elaphus).

Roe or Gazelle (Antilope dorcas) - Assyrian sculture

Deer

Roe or Gazelle (Antilope dorcas) - Assyrian sculture.

Roe deer (Capreolus dorcas)

Deer

Roe deer (Capreolus dorcas).

Roe or Gazelle (Antilope dorcas). Heb. Ya`LaH, TseBI, TseBIaH

Deer

Roe or Gazelle (Antilope dorcas). Heb. Ya`LaH, TseBI, TseBIaH.

The hart

Deer

The hart.

Street dogs in Palestine

Dog

Street dogs in Palestine.

Egyptian donkeys

Donkey

Egyptian donkeys.

Elephant in Assyria

Elephant

Elephant in Assyria.

Egyptian elephant brought in tribute

Elephant

Egyptian elephant brought in tribute.

Left: Indian Elephant (Elephas Indicus).   Right: African Elephant (Elephas Africanus).

Elephant

Left: Indian Elephant (Elephas Indicus). Right: African Elephant (Elephas Africanus). . Both hunted for ivory which was a valuable item (Ezek.27.15, 1K.10.22, 2Ch.11.21, Ps.45.8, 1K.10.22, 2Chr.9.21, 2K.22.39, Am.3.15, 6.4) . Perhaps the Behemoth of Job 40.15

Tribute of elephant tusks

Elephant

Tribute of elephant tusks.

Common fox (Canis vulpes). Heb. ShU`aL, (Jud.15.4, Neh.4.3, Ps.63.10, Song.2.15, Lam.5.8, Ezek.13.4). This word means both fox and jackal

Fox

Common fox (Canis vulpes). Heb. ShU`aL, (Jud.15.4, Neh.4.3, Ps.63.10, Song.2.15, Lam.5.8, Ezek.13.4). This word means both fox and jackal.

Gazelles

Gazelles

Gazelles.

Giraffe, brought as tribute to Thothmes III

Giraffe

Giraffe, brought as tribute to Thothmes III.

Goat as the symbol of the Macedonians - cf Dan.8.5. This picture, from a pillar at Persepolis, shows a Persian leading a goat, sybolising Persia subjugating Macedonia. Macedonia finally conquered Persia under Alexander the Great.

Goat

Goat as the symbol of the Macedonians - cf Dan.8.5. This picture, from a pillar at Persepolis, shows a Persian leading a goat, sybolising Persia subjugating Macedonia. Macedonia finally conquered Persia under Alexander the Great..

Syrian Goat (Capra mambrica) Heb. `eZ (She Goat), `aTUD, TsaPhIR, TISh (all He Goat), GeDI (kid) Ssa`IR (Hairy Goat).

Goat

Syrian Goat (Capra mambrica) Heb. `eZ (She Goat), `aTUD, TsaPhIR, TISh (all He Goat), GeDI (kid) Ssa`IR (Hairy Goat)..

Syrian Goat (Capra mambrica) Heb. `eZ (She Goat), `aTUD, TsaPhIR, TISh (all He Goat), GeDI (kid) Ssa`IR (Hairy Goat).

Goat

Syrian Goat (Capra mambrica) Heb. `eZ (She Goat), `aTUD, TsaPhIR, TISh (all He Goat), GeDI (kid) Ssa`IR (Hairy Goat)..

Wild Goat - the Caucasian Ibex (Caprus aegagrus), Heb. Y`eLIM

Goat

Wild Goat - the Caucasian Ibex (Caprus aegagrus), Heb. Y`eLIM.

Wild Goat - the Caucasian Ibex (Caprus aegagrus), Heb. Y`eLIM

Goat

Wild Goat - the Caucasian Ibex (Caprus aegagrus), Heb. Y`eLIM.

Goats treading the grain when sown in the field after the water has subsided.

Goat

Goats treading the grain when sown in the field after the water has subsided..

Common Hare (Lepus timidus)

Hare

Common Hare (Lepus timidus).

Hares, carried by an Egyptian

Hare

Hares, carried by an Egyptian.

Jackal (Canis aureus). Heb. ShU`aL, (Jud.15.4, Neh.4.3, Ps.63.10, Song.2.15, Lam.5.8, Ezek.13.4). This word means both fox and jackal

Jackal

Jackal (Canis aureus). Heb. ShU`aL, (Jud.15.4, Neh.4.3, Ps.63.10, Song.2.15, Lam.5.8, Ezek.13.4). This word means both fox and jackal.

Jackal (Canis aureus). Heb. ShU`aL, (Jud.15.4, Neh.4.3, Ps.63.10, Song.2.15, Lam.5.8, Ezek.13.4). This word means both fox and jackal

Jackal

Jackal (Canis aureus). Heb. ShU`aL, (Jud.15.4, Neh.4.3, Ps.63.10, Song.2.15, Lam.5.8, Ezek.13.4). This word means both fox and jackal.

Jackal (Canis aureus). Heb. ShU`aL, (Jud.15.4, Neh.4.3, Ps.63.10, Song.2.15, Lam.5.8, Ezek.13.4). This word means both fox and jackal

Jackal

Jackal (Canis aureus). Heb. ShU`aL, (Jud.15.4, Neh.4.3, Ps.63.10, Song.2.15, Lam.5.8, Ezek.13.4). This word means both fox and jackal.

Jerboa (Dipus Egyptius) - one of the animals called `mice`, Heb. `aKBaR, Lev.11.29, Is.46.17, 1Sam.6.5)

Jerboa

Jerboa (Dipus Egyptius) - one of the animals called `mice`, Heb. `aKBaR, Lev.11.29, Is.46.17, 1Sam.6.5).

Leopard (Felis leopardus) Heb. NaMeR (Jer.5.6, 13.23, Hos.13.7, Hab.1.8, Is.11).

Leopard

Leopard (Felis leopardus) Heb. NaMeR (Jer.5.6, 13.23, Hos.13.7, Hab.1.8, Is.11).. Several place names include NaMeR or NiMRah, such as Beth Nimrah `house of leopards` (Num.32.3,36, Josh.13.27), a stream nearby `Waters of Nimrim` (Is.15.6, Jer.48.34), `Mountains of Nimrim` (Song.4.8).

Leopard (Felis leopardus) Heb. NaMeR (Jer.5.6, 13.23, Hos.13.7, Hab.1.8, Is.11).

Leopard

Leopard (Felis leopardus) Heb. NaMeR (Jer.5.6, 13.23, Hos.13.7, Hab.1.8, Is.11).. Several place names include NaMeR or NiMRah, such as Beth Nimrah `house of leopards` (Num.32.3,36, Josh.13.27), a stream nearby `Waters of Nimrim` (Is.15.6, Jer.48.34), `Mountains of Nimrim` (Song.4.8).

Syrian Lion (Felis leo). Heb. ARI, ARIeH, GOR, KePhIR, LaBIA, LaISh, ShaChaL. Frequent refs.

Lion

Syrian Lion (Felis leo). Heb. ARI, ARIeH, GOR, KePhIR, LaBIA, LaISh, ShaChaL. Frequent refs..

Syrian Lion (Felis leo). Heb. ARI, ARIeH, GOR, KePhIR, LaBIA, LaISh, ShaChaL. Frequent refs.

Lion

Syrian Lion (Felis leo). Heb. ARI, ARIeH, GOR, KePhIR, LaBIA, LaISh, ShaChaL. Frequent refs..

Mole (Lev.11.30)

Mole

Mole (Lev.11.30).

An Egyptian monkey (Cereopithecus Pyrrhonotus) which was kept by wealthy Egptians, and given in Tribute as unusual gifts - see 1K.10.22, 2Ch.9.21. Right: an Egyptian bringing a monkey in tribute to Sardanapalus I at Nineveh.

Monkey

An Egyptian monkey (Cereopithecus Pyrrhonotus) which was kept by wealthy Egptians, and given in Tribute as unusual gifts - see 1K.10.22, 2Ch.9.21. Right: an Egyptian bringing a monkey in tribute to Sardanapalus I at Nineveh..

Long tailed field mouse (Mus sylvaticus), Heb. `aKBaR, (Lev.11.29, 1Sam.6, Is.66.17)

Mouse

Long tailed field mouse (Mus sylvaticus), Heb. `aKBaR, (Lev.11.29, 1Sam.6, Is.66.17).

Mule, with a rich bridle

Mule

Mule, with a rich bridle.

Top: Egyptian Mule. Bottom: Assyrian Mule.   Heb. PeReD, PeReDaH. ReKeSh is also translated `mule` but was probably a swift camel. Bred from a horse and an ass. The Law prohibited hybridization (Lev.19.19) so mules had to be imported.

Mule

Top: Egyptian Mule. Bottom: Assyrian Mule. Heb. PeReD, PeReDaH. ReKeSh is also translated `mule` but was probably a swift camel. Bred from a horse and an ass. The Law prohibited hybridization (Lev.19.19) so mules had to be imported..

Swine (Sus scrofa)

Pig

Swine (Sus scrofa).

Ethiopian hog

Pig

Ethiopian hog.

Polecat (Mustela putorius), a possible translation of Heb. ChoLeD (Lev.11.29), often translated Polecat (Mustela putorius)

Polecat

Polecat (Mustela putorius), a possible translation of Heb. ChoLeD (Lev.11.29), often translated Polecat (Mustela putorius).

Rhinocerus (Rhinoceros simus), Heb RAM, sometimes translated `Unicorn` (Num.23.22, 24.8, Deut.33.17, Ps.22.21, 29.6, 92.10, Is.34.7, Job.39.9-12).

Rhino

Rhinocerus (Rhinoceros simus), Heb RAM, sometimes translated `Unicorn` (Num.23.22, 24.8, Deut.33.17, Ps.22.21, 29.6, 92.10, Is.34.7, Job.39.9-12)..

Broad-tailed sheep (Ovis laticaudatus). Many Hebrew words and refs.

Sheep

Broad-tailed sheep (Ovis laticaudatus). Many Hebrew words and refs..

Broad-tailed sheep (Ovis laticaudatus). Many Hebrew words and refs.

Sheep

Broad-tailed sheep (Ovis laticaudatus). Many Hebrew words and refs..

Srian sheep

Sheep

Srian sheep.

Srian sheep

Sheep

Srian sheep.

Skink (Scincus officinalis), Heb. ChoMeTt - the reptile in Lev.11.30 tanslated `snail` in the AV

Skink

Skink (Scincus officinalis), Heb. ChoMeTt - the reptile in Lev.11.30 tanslated `snail` in the AV.

Field vole (Arvicola agrestis) Heb. `aKBaR, often translated `mouse` (Lev.11.29, 1Sam.6, Is.66.17)

Vole

Field vole (Arvicola agrestis) Heb. `aKBaR, often translated `mouse` (Lev.11.29, 1Sam.6, Is.66.17).

Wolf (Canis lupus), Heb. ZAB, Gen.49.27, Mt.7.15, Act.20.29, Jer.5.6, Hab.1.8, Zeph.3.3, Matt.10.16, Lk.10.3, Jn.10.12 etc

Wolf

Wolf (Canis lupus), Heb. ZAB, Gen.49.27, Mt.7.15, Act.20.29, Jer.5.6, Hab.1.8, Zeph.3.3, Matt.10.16, Lk.10.3, Jn.10.12 etc.

Wolf (Canis lupus), Heb. ZAB, Gen.49.27, Mt.7.15, Act.20.29, Jer.5.6, Hab.1.8, Zeph.3.3, Matt.10.16, Lk.10.3, Jn.10.12 etc

Wolf

Wolf (Canis lupus), Heb. ZAB, Gen.49.27, Mt.7.15, Act.20.29, Jer.5.6, Hab.1.8, Zeph.3.3, Matt.10.16, Lk.10.3, Jn.10.12 etc.

Wolf (Canis lupus), Heb. ZAB, Gen.49.27, Mt.7.15, Act.20.29, Jer.5.6, Hab.1.8, Zeph.3.3, Matt.10.16, Lk.10.3, Jn.10.12 etc

Wolf

Wolf (Canis lupus), Heb. ZAB, Gen.49.27, Mt.7.15, Act.20.29, Jer.5.6, Hab.1.8, Zeph.3.3, Matt.10.16, Lk.10.3, Jn.10.12 etc.

Porcupine (Hystrix cristata)

Porcupine

Porcupine (Hystrix cristata).

Ram and one-horned goat united, symbolising the Persian and Macedonian kingdoms - A gem in the Florentine collection, perhaps carved for Alexander the Great.

Ram

Ram and one-horned goat united, symbolising the Persian and Macedonian kingdoms - A gem in the Florentine collection, perhaps carved for Alexander the Great..

Mole Rat (Aspalax typhlus), Heb.TiNSheMeTh (Lev.11.30), ChaPhoR PeROTh (Is.2.20)

Rat

Mole Rat (Aspalax typhlus), Heb.TiNSheMeTh (Lev.11.30), ChaPhoR PeROTh (Is.2.20).