Topical Bible: The Roe: Male of, Called the Roebuck

◄ The Roe: Male of, Called the Roebuck ►

Topical Encyclopedia

The term "roe" refers to a small, graceful species of deer known for its agility and swiftness. In the context of the Bible, the male roe is often referred to as the "roebuck." This animal is mentioned several times in the Scriptures, symbolizing beauty, speed, and the bounty of God's creation.

Biblical References:

1. Deuteronomy 12:15 : "But whenever you want, you may slaughter and eat meat within any of your gates, according to the blessing the LORD your God has given you. Both the ceremonially unclean and the clean may eat it, as they would a gazelle or deer." Here, the roebuck is included in the list of clean animals that the Israelites were permitted to eat, highlighting its significance as a source of sustenance.

2. Deuteronomy 14:5 : "the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope, and the mountain sheep." This passage lists the roebuck among other clean animals, emphasizing its place in the dietary laws given to the Israelites.

3. 2 Samuel 2:18 : "The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. And Asahel was as fleet-footed as a wild gazelle." Although the specific term "roebuck" is not used here, the comparison to a gazelle, a similar swift animal, underscores the biblical association of these creatures with speed and agility.

4. Proverbs 6:5 : "Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the fowler’s snare." This proverb uses the imagery of a gazelle, akin to the roebuck, to illustrate the urgency and swiftness with which one should escape danger or temptation.

Symbolism and Cultural Significance:

In biblical literature, the roebuck is often a symbol of grace and swiftness. Its ability to move quickly and elegantly through the terrain made it a fitting metaphor for speed and agility. The roebuck's inclusion in the dietary laws also signifies its role as a provision from God, reflecting His care and abundance.

The roebuck's characteristics are often used metaphorically to describe human attributes, such as the need for quick action or the beauty of creation. Its presence in the biblical text serves as a reminder of the diversity and richness of God's creation, as well as the practical and symbolic roles animals played in the lives of the Israelites.

Conservative Christian Perspective:

From a conservative Christian viewpoint, the mention of the roebuck in Scripture is seen as part of the divine order established by God. The dietary laws, including the permission to eat the roebuck, are viewed as part of God's covenant with Israel, reflecting His holiness and the distinctiveness of His people. The roebuck, like other clean animals, is a testament to God's provision and the goodness of His creation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 4:23
Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallow deer, and fatted fowl.
Torrey's Topical Textbook