Hyenas are carnivorous mammals known for their distinctive calls and scavenging habits. While not frequently mentioned in the Bible, they are part of the broader category of unclean animals, which holds significance in biblical teachings and symbolism.

Biblical References:

The Bible does not explicitly mention hyenas by name in most translations, but they are often inferred in passages that describe desolate places and wild animals. In some translations, the Hebrew word "tsiyyim" is interpreted as referring to creatures like hyenas. For example, Isaiah 13:21 states, "But desert creatures will lie down there, and their houses will be full of owls; ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about." The term "desert creatures" is sometimes understood to include hyenas, symbolizing desolation and abandonment.

Jeremiah 50:39 also alludes to such creatures: "So the desert creatures and hyenas will live there, and the ostriches will dwell there. It will never again be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation." This passage uses the imagery of wild animals inhabiting a desolate Babylon to emphasize the complete and utter destruction decreed by God.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In biblical literature, animals like hyenas often symbolize chaos, desolation, and the consequences of divine judgment. Their presence in prophetic texts underscores the severity of God's wrath and the totality of destruction that befalls those who oppose His will. The association of hyenas with uncleanliness further emphasizes the separation between the holy and the profane, a recurring theme in the Old Testament.

Hyenas, as scavengers, also serve as a metaphor for the moral and spiritual decay that can occur when societies turn away from God. Their nocturnal habits and eerie vocalizations contribute to their portrayal as creatures of darkness and disorder, contrasting with the order and light associated with God's creation.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, hyenas were common and would have been familiar to the people of Israel. Their scavenging behavior and tendency to inhabit ruins made them apt symbols for the desolation described in prophetic literature. Understanding the natural history and behavior of hyenas enriches the interpretation of biblical texts where they are implied.

Theological Implications:

The implied presence of hyenas in biblical texts serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the reality of divine judgment. It calls believers to reflect on the importance of maintaining spiritual purity and adhering to God's commandments. The imagery of desolation inhabited by wild animals like hyenas serves as a stark warning of the fate awaiting those who reject God's sovereignty.

In summary, while hyenas are not explicitly named in the Bible, their inferred presence in certain passages contributes to the rich tapestry of biblical symbolism, illustrating themes of judgment, desolation, and the stark contrast between the sacred and the profane.(n.) Plural of Hyena.338. i -- a jackal
... 337, 338. i. 339 . a jackal. Transliteration: i Phonetic Spelling:
(ee) Short Definition: Hyenas. Word Origin from oy Definition ...
/hebrew/338.htm - 6k

6650. Tseboim -- a place probably at S. end of the Dead Sea
... Zeboim. Plural of tsabuwa'; hyenas; Tseboim, a place in Palestine -- Zeboim. see
HEBREW tsabuwa'. 6649, 6650. Tseboim. 6651 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6650.htm - 6k

Juventus Mundi
... Till they stiffened into clay, And the ruffian rode away: Swooping o'er the tainted
ground, Carrion vultures gathered round, And the gaunt hyenas ran Tracking ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/juventus mundi.htm

The Birth of Saint George.
... The dismal croaking of the night raven, the hissing of serpents, the hoarse bellowing
of wild bulls, the roaring of lions, the laughing of hyenas, and other ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter one the birth of.htm

Natural Love.
... The most bloodthirsty animals, even tigers and hyenas, are never more enraged
than when the hunter approaches their whelps too closely. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xvii natural love.htm

So He was Alone in the Inner Mountain...
... And almost all the hyenas in that desert came forth from their dens and surrounded
him; and he was in the midst, while each one threatened to bite. ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/life of antony section 51.htm

Kumaon.
... abundant employment. Not a year passes without persons, sheep, and cattle
being killed by tigers, leopards, and hyenas. They live ...
/.../kennedy/life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xx kumaon.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... West Asian as African, like the carnivors of all sizes, whose prey they are"the
wild cat, the wolf, the jackal, the striped and spotted hyenas, the leopard ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

Hyenas (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Hyena. Multi-Version Concordance
Hyenas (3 Occurrences). Isaiah 13:22 And wolves will be ...
/h/hyenas.htm - 7k

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)
... (2) The Valley of Zeboim, "the valley of hyenas," one of three companies of the
Philistines left their camp at Michmash and "turned the way of the border that ...
/z/zeboim.htm - 11k

Hyena
... The striped, the spotted, and the brown hyenas constitute a distinct family of the
order of Carnivora, having certain peculiarities of dentition and having ...
/h/hyena.htm - 9k

Hymenaeus (2 Occurrences)

/h/hymenaeus.htm - 13k

Lebanon (66 Occurrences)
... bears winter on its head, spring on its shoulders, autumn in its lap, while summer
lies at its feet." In the more desolate places jackals, hyenas, wolves, and ...
/l/lebanon.htm - 45k

Burial (25 Occurrences)
... is set aside, and at first a heap of stones only is piled over the shallow
grave-to preserve the dead from the dreaded depredations of hyenas, jackals or ...
/b/burial.htm - 42k

Arabia (9 Occurrences)
... 2. Fauna: Among beasts of prey panthers, wolves, hyenas, jackals and (it is said)
even lions are found in Arabia Many of the tribes are named after these and ...
/a/arabia.htm - 43k

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