Lexical Summary namer: leopard, leopards Original Word: נָמֵר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance leopard From an unused root meaning properly, to filtrate, i.e. Be limpid (comp Nimrah and Nimriym); and thus to spot or stain as if by dripping; a leopard (from its stripes) -- leopard. see HEBREW Nimrah see HEBREW Nimriym NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition a leopard NASB Translation leopard (4), leopards (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs נָמֵר noun masculineIsaiah 11:6 leopard; — absolute ׳נ Hosea 13:7 3t.; plural נְמֵרִים Habakkuk 1:8; Songs 4:8; — leopard, as spotted Jeremiah 13:23, swift Habakkuk 1:8, keen-eyed Jeremiah 5:6 (symbol of calamities of Israel), so Hosea 13:7 (simile of ׳י); עִםגְּֿדִי יִרְבָּ֑ץ ׳נ Isaiah 11:6 (predict); חַרֲרֵי נְמֵרִים Songs 4:8 ("" מְעֹנוֺת אֲרָיוֺת). Topical Lexicon Leopard (נָמֵר, nāmēr) Natural History and Symbolism The leopard native to the Near East is a solitary, nocturnal predator renowned for stealth, great agility, and exhilarating speed. Its spotted hide makes it nearly invisible among rocks and scrub, enabling sudden, decisive attacks. Scripture employs these traits to convey watchfulness, sudden judgment, and unrelenting ferocity. By contrast, when depicted in messianic peace the same animal becomes a picture of creation restored and reconciled. Occurrences in Scripture Song of Solomon 4:8 alludes to “the mountains of leopards,” evoking wild, remote regions where danger lurks. Isaiah 11:6 places the leopard among the beasts that will live peaceably together in the age of Messiah: “the leopard will lie down with the goat.” Twice in Jeremiah (5:6; 13:23) the prophet uses the animal to illustrate divine judgment and mankind’s entrenched sinfulness. Hosea 13:7 presents the LORD Himself as a lurking leopard ready to discipline an apostate nation, while Habakkuk 1:8 compares Babylon’s cavalry to leopards to emphasize breathtaking speed in conquering Judah. Poetic and Didactic Imagery 1. Stealth and vigilance: “A leopard will watch their cities” (Jeremiah 5:6) illustrates relentless surveillance before the pounce, warning against complacency in sin. Prophetic Messaging and Divine Judgment Hosea 13:7 and Jeremiah 5:6 present the LORD using leopard imagery to communicate the certainty and suddenness of judgment upon covenant breakers. The figure conveys both righteous wrath and the impossibility of escape. By portraying God with a predator’s attributes, the prophets confront Israel with the seriousness of rebellion while leaving room for repentance before the strike. Leopard and Eschatological Hope In Eden renewed the leopard becomes gentle: “The leopard will lie down with the goat” (Isaiah 11:6). Ferocity gives way to fellowship when the knowledge of the LORD fills the earth. The transformation testifies that the curse on nature and mankind’s hostility will be lifted in the reign of the shoot from the stump of Jesse, anticipating Romans 8:21 where creation is “set free from its bondage to decay.” Intertextual Echoes Daniel 7:6 portrays the third world empire as a four-winged leopard, emphasizing rapid conquest; Revelation 13:2 fuses the leopard with other beasts to portray antichrist’s kingdom. These passages build on the Old Testament symbolism of speed, ferocity, and vigilant dominion, illustrating that history’s empires imitate predatory beasts until Christ subdues them. Ministry Reflections • Vigilance: Like a leopard in wait, temptation is patient; believers are called to sobriety and watchfulness (1 Peter 5:8). In every occurrence the leopard magnifies either the peril of sin or the grandeur of salvation, urging readers to trust the LORD who alone can tame nature, nations, and the human heart. Forms and Transliterations וְנָמֵ֖ר ונמר כְּנָמֵ֖ר כנמר מִנְּמֵרִ֜ים מנמרים נְמֵרִֽים׃ נָמֵ֤ר נמר נמרים׃ kə·nā·mêr kenaMer kənāmêr min·nə·mê·rîm minnemeRim minnəmêrîm nā·mêr naMer nāmêr nə·mê·rîm nemeRim nəmêrîm venaMer wə·nā·mêr wənāmêrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Songs 4:8 HEB: אֲרָי֔וֹת מֵֽהַרְרֵ֖י נְמֵרִֽים׃ NAS: From the mountains of leopards. KJV: from the mountains of the leopards. INT: of lions the mountains of leopards Isaiah 11:6 Jeremiah 5:6 Jeremiah 13:23 Hosea 13:7 Habakkuk 1:8 6 Occurrences |
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