The term "pygarg" appears in the context of clean animals in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Deuteronomy. The pygarg is listed among the animals that the Israelites were permitted to eat according to the dietary laws given by God. The reference to the pygarg is found in Deuteronomy 14:5, which states: "the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope, and the mountain sheep."

The identification of the pygarg has been a subject of discussion among biblical scholars and translators. The Hebrew word translated as "pygarg" is "דִּישֹׁן" (dishon), which is a term that appears only once in the Hebrew Bible. The Berean Standard Bible, like many other translations, uses the term "pygarg" based on the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, which uses the word "pygargos." This Greek term means "white-rumped," suggesting an animal with a distinctive white patch on its hindquarters.

In historical and zoological contexts, the pygarg has been associated with various animals. Some scholars suggest that it may refer to a type of antelope or gazelle, possibly the addax or the Arabian oryx, both of which have notable white markings and are native to the regions surrounding ancient Israel. These animals fit the description of being clean according to Levitical law, as they both chew the cud and have cloven hooves, meeting the criteria outlined in Leviticus 11:3.

The inclusion of the pygarg in the list of clean animals underscores the importance of dietary laws in the covenant relationship between God and the Israelites. These laws were not only about physical health but also about spiritual obedience and holiness, setting the Israelites apart from other nations. The clean animals, including the pygarg, were part of the broader system of purity that governed various aspects of daily life for the Israelites.

The pygarg, as a clean animal, symbolizes the broader biblical theme of discernment between the holy and the common, the clean and the unclean. This theme is echoed throughout Scripture, emphasizing the call for God's people to live in a manner that reflects His holiness and righteousness.Deuteronomy 14:5
The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois.
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