The hyaena, a carnivorous mammal known for its distinctive laugh-like vocalizations and scavenging habits, is a creature that has intrigued and repelled humans for centuries. In the context of the Bible, the hyaena is not explicitly mentioned by name in most English translations, but it is often associated with desolation and uncleanliness, fitting its reputation as a scavenger.

Biblical References and Symbolism

The hyaena is thought to be referenced in the Bible in passages that describe desolate and uninhabited places. One such passage is found in the book of Isaiah, where the prophet speaks of the judgment and desolation that will come upon the nations. Isaiah 34:14 states: "The desert creatures will meet with hyenas, and one wild goat will call to another. There the night creature will settle and find her place of repose." Here, the hyaena is grouped with other creatures of the night and wilderness, symbolizing a place abandoned by human civilization and given over to wild animals.

In the ancient Near Eastern context, the hyaena was often seen as a symbol of death and decay due to its scavenging nature. This aligns with the biblical portrayal of desolate lands where such creatures dwell. The presence of hyaenas in these passages underscores the completeness of the desolation and the removal of human presence, as these animals thrive in areas devoid of human activity.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient world, the hyaena was both feared and respected. Its ability to consume carrion and its nocturnal habits made it a creature associated with the supernatural and the unclean. The Israelites, adhering to the dietary laws outlined in Leviticus, would have considered the hyaena unclean, as it did not chew the cud nor have a split hoof (Leviticus 11:27).

The hyaena's reputation as a scavenger and its eerie vocalizations contributed to its symbolic use in biblical literature. It served as a potent image of desolation and divine judgment, where once-thriving cities and lands are reduced to wilderness, inhabited only by creatures like the hyaena.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the mention of hyaenas in the context of desolation serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. The imagery of a land overtaken by wild animals, including hyaenas, is a powerful illustration of divine judgment and the removal of God's blessing and protection. It serves as a call to repentance and a return to righteousness, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a covenant relationship with God.

In summary, while the hyaena is not a central figure in biblical narratives, its symbolic presence in passages of judgment and desolation provides insight into the cultural and theological milieu of the ancient Israelites. The hyaena, as a creature of the wilderness, serves as a vivid reminder of the consequences of sin and the desolation that follows the abandonment of God's ways.Hyaena

Authorities differ as to whether the term tzabua in (Jeremiah 12:9) means a "hyaena" or a "speckled bird." The only other instance in which it occurs is as a proper name, Zeboim, (1 Samuel 13:18) "the valley of hyaenas, "Aquila; (Nehemiah 11:34) The striped hyaena (Hyaena striata) is found in Africa, Asia Minor, Arabia and Persia, and is more common in Palestine than any other carnivorous animals except perhaps the jackal. The hyaena is among the mammals what the vulture is among birds, --the scavenger of the wilderness, the woods and the shore. --It often attacks animals, and Sometimes digs up the dead bodies of men and beasts. From this last habit the hyaena has been regarded as a horrible and mysterious creature. Its teeth are so powerful that they can crack the bones of an ox with ease. --Appelton's Encyc. The hyaena was common in ancient as in modern Egypt, and is constantly depicted upon monuments; it must therefore have been well known to the Jews.

Criticisms on "The Origin of Species. "
... Then the Hyaena will represent A, and the Dog, B. The first difficulty that presents
itself is that the Hyaena must be asexual, or the process will be wholly ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/xiii criticisms on the origin.htm

The Missing Factor in Current Theories
... they were born, multiplied without stint, and died, for thousands of generations,
alongside the mammoth, the urus, the lion, and the hyaena, whose lives were ...
/.../drummond/the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/ii the missing factor in.htm

The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea
... They worked in as best they could, birds' claws, fishes' scales, a bull's tail,
several pairs of wings, the head of a lion, vulture, hyaena, or wolf; when they ...
/.../chapter iithe temples and the.htm

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