The porcupine is a rodent known for its coat of sharp quills, which serve as a defense mechanism against predators. While the porcupine is not explicitly mentioned in most English translations of the Bible, it is often associated with certain Hebrew words that have been translated in various ways, including "hedgehog" or "bittern." The creature is typically referenced in the context of desolation and judgment.

Biblical References:

1. Isaiah 14:23 : "I will make her a place for owls and swamplands; I will sweep her away with the broom of destruction," declares the LORD of Hosts. In this passage, the desolation of Babylon is described, and some translations interpret the Hebrew word "qippod" as "porcupine," suggesting a creature that inhabits deserted and ruined places.

2. Isaiah 34:11 : "The desert owl and screech owl will possess it, and the great owl and the raven will dwell in it. The LORD will stretch out over Edom the measuring line of chaos and the plumb line of destruction." Here, the prophecy against Edom includes creatures that symbolize desolation. The term "qippod" is again used, and some translations render it as "porcupine."

3. Zephaniah 2:14 : "Flocks and herds will lie down in her midst, creatures of every kind. The desert owl and the screech owl will roost on her columns. Their calls will echo through the windows; rubble will be in the doorways, and the beams of cedar will be exposed." This verse speaks of the judgment upon Nineveh, with "qippod" appearing in the context of animals inhabiting the ruins.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In the biblical context, the porcupine, or the creature referred to by the Hebrew "qippod," is emblematic of desolation and divine judgment. The presence of such animals in prophetic literature underscores the complete and utter devastation that will befall the cities and nations under God's judgment. The porcupine's association with deserted places serves as a vivid image of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God.

Cultural and Historical Context:

The identification of "qippod" as a porcupine is debated among scholars. Some suggest it may refer to a hedgehog or another similar creature. The exact species is less significant than the symbolic role it plays in the biblical narrative. In ancient Near Eastern culture, animals that inhabited ruins were often seen as unclean or undesirable, further emphasizing the theme of judgment and abandonment.

Theological Implications:

The use of the porcupine in these passages highlights the seriousness of God's judgment. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments and the inevitable desolation that follows. The imagery of a once-thriving city reduced to a habitat for wild animals like the porcupine underscores the transformative power of divine retribution.

In summary, while the porcupine itself may not be a central figure in biblical texts, its symbolic presence in passages of judgment and desolation provides a powerful image of the consequences of sin and the fulfillment of God's prophetic word.1. (n.) Any Old Word rodent of the genus Hystrix, having the back covered with long, sharp, erectile spines or quills, sometimes a foot long. The common species of Europe and Asia (Hystrix cristata) is the best known.

2. (n.) Any species of Erethizon and related genera, native of America. They are related to the true porcupines, but have shorter spines, and are arboreal in their habits. The Canada porcupine (Erethizon dorsatus) is a well known species.

PORCUPINE

por'-ku-pin (qippodh (Isaiah 14:23; Isaiah 34:11 Zephaniah 2:14) the King James Version "bittern," the Revised Version (British and American) "porcupine"; Septuagint echinos "hedgehog"; qippoz (Isaiah 34:15), the King James Version "great owl," the English Revised Version "arrow-snake," the American Standard Revised Version "dart-snake"; Septuagint echinos; compare Arabic qunfud, or qunfudh, "hedgehog" or "porcupine." qippodh, is referred to the root qaphadh, "to draw one's self together" or "to roll oneself up," while qipoz is referred to the root qaphaz, and the root qaphats, "to draw together in order to spring." The resemblance between all these words, including the Arabic is obvious, and it is to be noted that the Septuagint has echinos in all the places cited):

The Greek echinos is the hedgehog. The Arabic kunfudh is used in some localities for the hedgehog and in others for the porcupine, which is also called nis. The hedgehog is also called kibbabat-ush-shauk, or "ball of spines." These two animals are both found in Syria and Palestine, and, while both have spines, they are very different animals, though often confounded. The hedgehog, Erinaceus europeus, is one of the Insectivora. It eats not only insects but also snakes and other small animals, as well as fruits and roots. It is about 10 inches long, covered with short spines, and rolls itself into a ball when attacked. It inhabits the countries bordering the Mediterranean. The porcupine, Hystrix cristata, is a rodent, about 26 inches long, having long spines. It is herbivorous. It backs rapidly at its foes, thrusting its sharp spines into their flesh, not shooting its spines, as is often stated. It inhabits most of Europe and Asia. It is very different from the Canadian porcupine, Erethizon dorsatus, as well as from the tree porcupines of Mexico and Central and South America.

As to the rendering "bittern" for qippodh (Isaiah 14:23; Isaiah 34:15 Zephaniah 2:14), while the etymology favors "hedgehog," the context favors a bird, especially in Isaiah 34:11, though it cannot be said that in any of the passages the context makes "hedgehog" an impossible rendering.

In Isaiah 34:15, for qippoz, most modern authorities (compare the Revised Version (British and American)) have some sort of serpent, referring to the Arabic root qafaz, "to spring." (See notes above on qaphaz and qaphats.) In this passage also the context is not unfavorable to a bird (compare the King James Version "great owl").

See BITTERN; OWL; SERPENT.

Alfred Ely Day

7090. qippod -- porcupine
qippod or qippod. 7089, 7090. qippod or qippod. 7091 . porcupine. Transliteration:
qippod or qippod Phonetic Spelling: (kip-pode') Short Definition: hedgehog ...
/hebrew/7090.htm - 6k

1879-1880. Experiences among Indians --Picnic in the Bush ...
... the hands of the giver. Chief Henry's wife gave a beautiful bark basket
ornamented with porcupine's quills. Then another head man ...
/.../lowe/gods answers/chapter viii 1879-1880 experiences among.htm

Isaiah's Discourse
... But the pelican and the porcupine shall possess it; and the owl and the raven shall
dwell therein: and he shall stretch over it the line of confusion, and the ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/v isaiahs discourse.htm

A String of Pearls
... Controversialists of all sorts, porcupine-like people, who go through the world
all sharp quills sticking out to pierce, are less to be admired than peace ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a string of pearls.htm

Isaiah's
... I will also make it a possession for the porcupine, and pools of water: and I will
sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/x isaiahs.htm

A Letter from a West Indian Cottage Ornee
... So it is, too, with the Tree Porcupine, {91c} or Coendou, who (in strange contrast
to the well-known classic Porcupine of the rocks of Southern Europe) climbs ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter v a letter from.htm

The victory of Unarmed Faith
... in the name of the Lord of hosts,' has no need to be afraid of an army of Goliaths,
though each bristled with swords and spears like a porcupine. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the victory of unarmed faith.htm

Martyrdom of the Holy and Glorious Apostle Bartholomew.
... to his feet, eyes like fire, sparks coming out of his mouth; and out of his nostrils
came forth smoke like sulphur, with wings spined like a porcupine; and his ...
/.../martyrdom of the holy and.htm

The Northern Mountains
... aware of a keen and dreadful scent, as of a concentrated essence of unwashed tropic
humanity, which proceeded from that strange animal, the porcupine with a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xi the northern mountains.htm

The Nile and Egypt
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 1. <. ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

Porcupine (3 Occurrences)
... habits. The Canada porcupine (Erethizon dorsatus) is a well known species.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PORCUPINE. por ...
/p/porcupine.htm - 11k

Bittern (4 Occurrences)
... marshy ground. The Hebrew word (kippod) thus rendered in the Authorized
Version is rendered "porcupine" in the Revised Version. But ...
/b/bittern.htm - 14k

Pelican (5 Occurrences)
... See Isaiah 34:11: "But the pelican and the porcupine shall possess it; and the owl
and the raven shall dwell therein: and he will stretch over it the line of ...
/p/pelican.htm - 11k

Porcius (1 Occurrence)

/p/porcius.htm - 11k

Hedgehog (3 Occurrences)
... It is nocturnal in its habits, feeding chiefly upon insects. 2. (n.) The Canadian
porcupine. ... See PORCUPINE; BITTERN; OWL; SERPENT. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/h/hedgehog.htm - 8k

Zoology
... PROBOSCIDEA: Elephant HYRACOIDEA: Coney SIRENIA: Dugong (sv BADGER) CETACNA: Whale,
Dolphin, Porpoise RODENTIA: Mouse, Mole-Rat (sv MOLE), Porcupine, Hare Birds ...
/z/zoology.htm - 18k

Living-places (17 Occurrences)
... Zephaniah 2:14 And herds will take their rest in the middle of her, all the beasts
of the valley: the pelican and the porcupine will make their living-places ...
/l/living-places.htm - 12k

Thresholds (11 Occurrences)
... Zephaniah 2:14 Herds will lie down in the midst of her, all the animals of the nations.
Both the pelican and the porcupine will lodge in its capitals. ...
/t/thresholds.htm - 10k

Roost (4 Occurrences)
... Zephaniah 2:14 Herds will lie down in the midst of her, all the animals of the nations.
Both the pelican and the porcupine will lodge in its capitals. ...
/r/roost.htm - 8k

Echo (2 Occurrences)
... Zephaniah 2:14 Herds will lie down in the midst of her, all the animals of the nations.
Both the pelican and the porcupine will lodge in its capitals. ...
/e/echo.htm - 7k

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