The term "wild-goat" appears in the Bible and is often associated with the rugged and mountainous terrains of the ancient Near East. In the scriptural context, wild goats are emblematic of agility, freedom, and the untamed beauty of God's creation. They are mentioned in various passages, highlighting their natural habitat and characteristics.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Samuel 24:2 : "So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats." This passage situates wild goats in the wilderness of En Gedi, a region known for its steep cliffs and rocky landscapes. The "Rocks of the Wild Goats" suggests a place where these animals were commonly found, emphasizing their preference for remote and inaccessible areas.

2. Job 39:1 : "Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Have you watched the doe bear her fawn?" Here, God challenges Job with questions about the mysteries of nature, including the life cycle of mountain goats. This reference underscores the wild goat's association with the highlands and their instinctual, God-given behaviors that are beyond human control or understanding.

3. Psalm 104:18 : "The high mountains are for the wild goats, the cliffs a refuge for the rock badgers." This verse poetically describes the natural habitat of wild goats, highlighting the Creator's provision for all creatures. The high mountains serve as a sanctuary for these animals, illustrating God's intricate design in providing suitable environments for His creation.

Characteristics and Symbolism:

Wild goats, likely referring to species such as the ibex, are known for their sure-footedness and ability to navigate steep and rocky terrains. This agility is often seen as a metaphor for spiritual resilience and the ability to overcome obstacles. In biblical literature, the wild goat's habitat in the high mountains symbolizes a place of refuge and safety, reflecting the security found in God's protection.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Israel, wild goats were part of the diverse fauna that inhabited the region's varied landscapes. Their presence in the Bible reflects the everyday reality of the people who lived in proximity to these animals. The wild goat's ability to thrive in harsh environments serves as a reminder of God's provision and the beauty of His creation.

Theological Implications:

The mention of wild goats in Scripture invites reflection on God's sovereignty over nature and His intimate knowledge of all living creatures. It challenges believers to recognize the Creator's wisdom and care in the natural world, encouraging a sense of awe and reverence for His handiwork. The wild goat, with its untamed spirit and natural grace, serves as a testament to the majesty and creativity of God.689. aqqo -- perhaps a wild goat
... 688, 689. aqqo. 690 . perhaps a wild goat. Transliteration: aqqo Phonetic
Spelling: (ak-ko') Short Definition: goat. Word ... 1). wild goat. ...
/hebrew/689.htm - 6k

3277. yael -- mountain goat
... Goats (1). wild goat. From ya'al; an ibex (as climbing) -- wild goat. see HEBREW
ya'al. 3276, 3277. yael. 3278 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/3277.htm - 6k

Lessons from Nature
... LIFE. For the fir trees, the stork; for the high hills, the wild goat, or
steinbock; for the rocks, the conies, or rabbits. Almost ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/lessons from nature.htm

Assurance of Salvation.
... "The wild goat on the crag does not say, 'Have Ia right here?' No, he must be somewhere:
and there is a crag which exactly suits him; and he springs upon it. ...
/.../moody/the way to god and how to find it/chapter vii assurance of salvation.htm

Love for Hate, the True Quid Pro Quo
... him the opportunity of flight to the wild country on the west of the Dead Sea, near
the place where En-Gedi ('the Fountain of the Wild Goat') sparkles into ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/love for hate the true.htm

The World Turned Upside Down
... more, that we find in this world a race of persons who have always been hated"a
class of men who have been hunted like the wild goat; persecuted, afflicted ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the world turned upside down.htm

The Exile --Continued.
... unless it be of the same period, and therefore an inlet into the mind of the fugitive
as he lurked among the rugged cliffs by "the fountain of the wild goat.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/vii the exilecontinued.htm

The Exile --Continued.
... This is the fountain and plain of Engedi (the fount of the wild goat), a spot
which wants but industry and care to make it a little paradise. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/vi the exilecontinued.htm

Joseph Attacked by the Archers
... In heavenly security he is set upon a rock, careless of all below. Let us follow
the track of the wild goat and behold the warrior in his fastness. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/joseph attacked by the archers.htm

The Parable of the Lost Sheep
... "Shepherd, it is a heavy climb up yon mountainside." He does not note his toll;
his excitement lends him the feet of the wild goat; he stands securely where at ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/the parable of the lost.htm

The Struggle for the Life of Others
... The cat-tribe excepted, nearly all live together in herds or troops"the elephant,
for instance, the buffalo, deer, antelope, wild-goat, sheep, wolf, jackal ...
/.../the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter vii the struggle for.htm

That the Scriptures are Divinely Inspired.
... 523-527. S.]. [2777] Inconsequens. [2778] Cf. Genesis 17:14. [2779] Tragelaphus;
"wild goat," Auth. Vers. Deuteronomy 14:5; Heb. vq', hapax leg. ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter i that the scriptures are.htm

Wild-goat (1 Occurrence)
Wild-goat. Wilderness, Wild-goat. Wildgoats . Multi-Version
Concordance Wild-goat (1 Occurrence). Deuteronomy 14:5 The ...
/w/wild-goat.htm - 6k

Chamois (1 Occurrence)
... M'Lean in Encyclopedia Biblica cites the rendering of the Targums dica',
or "wildgoat." Now there are two wild goats in Palestine. ...
/c/chamois.htm - 9k

Zoology
... Swine, Hippopotamus (Behemoth) (c) Ruminants: (1) Bovidae, Domestic Cattle, Wild
Ox or Unicorn, Sinaitic Ibex (sv GOAT), Persian WildGoat (sv CHAMOIS), Gazelle ...
/z/zoology.htm - 18k

Deer (15 Occurrences)
... and 'ayyeleth (compare Arabic, 'ayyal and 'iyal, "deer" and 'ayil, "ram," and Latin
caper and capra, "goat," caprea, capreolus, "wildgoat," "chamois," or "roe ...
/d/deer.htm - 17k

Aran (2 Occurrences)
...Wildgoat, a descendant of Seir the Horite (Genesis 36:28). Int. ... a'-ran ('aran,
"wildgoat"): A son of Dishan, the Horite (Genesis 36:28 1 Chronicles 1:42). ...
/a/aran.htm - 8k

Satyr
... and the English Revised Version have "satyr," the English Revised Version margin
"he-goat," the American Standard Revised Version "wildgoat." Septuagint has ...
/s/satyr.htm - 12k

Gazelle (12 Occurrences)
... The Greek dorkas may refer to either, and in Syria the roe-deer is sometimes called
ghazal or even wa`l, which is the proper name of the Persian wildgoat. ...
/g/gazelle.htm - 13k

Fallow-deer (2 Occurrences)
Fallow-deer. Fallowdeer, Fallow-deer. Fallowground . Easton's Bible Dictionary
Deuteronomy 14:5 (RV, "Wildgoat"); 1 Kings 4:23 (RV, "roebucks"). ...
/f/fallow-deer.htm - 7k

Goat (92 Occurrences)
... And 'akko, only in Deuteronomy 14:5, the wildgoat. ... It is thought by the writer that
the "chamois" (zemer) of Deuteronomy 14:5 may be the Persian wildgoat. ...
/g/goat.htm - 48k

Zimri (16 Occurrences)
... zim'-ri (zimri, "wild sheep" or "wildgoat"; in 1 Maccabees, with the King James
Version, has Zambri; Codex Sinaiticus has Zambrei): (1) A Simeonite prince ...
/z/zimri.htm - 18k

Are any mythological creatures mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of lions in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

How can I recognize and understand biblical symbolism? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus