March 15

The Shaphan and the Ravens

Proverbs 30:17-26

The wise son of Jakeh names, next to the ants, “the coneys,” among the four things which, although “little upon the earth,” are “exceeding wise.” Most of us know that “coneys” are rabbits, though the word has now, as a name for that animal, almost gone out of use. No doubt our translators did suppose that rabbits were meant by the original Hebrew word, which is SHAPHAN. Yet it does not seem to us that they are right. Among other reasons, there is this very good one, that no rabbits are found in the Levant.

Hyrax Syriacus, or Shaphan

This animal, the shaphan (always translated by “coney”), is mentioned in several other places, Note: Leviticus 11:5; Deuteronomy 14:7; Psalms 104:18. and in the law is included among unclean animals on the ground, that although “he cheweth the cud, he divideth not the hoof.” Apart from the consideration just stated, the particulars indicated in these texts do not agree well with the rabbit; but they do agree most perfectly with another animal, which has its especial home in the regions in which the Israelites abode, and which indeed derives from Syria the designation by which it is known among naturalists. This is the Hyrax Syriacus, known among the Arabs by the name of Wabber. Externally this animal is something of the size, figure, and brownish color of the rabbit; and although it has small roundish ears instead of long ones, it is quite possible for cursory and inexact observers to take the one for the other. It is remarkable, however, that, comparatively small as the animal is, its whole internal construction and skeleton has the greatest possible resemblance, not to a rabbit, but to a rhinoceros! It is, in fact, a somewhat anomalous animal, more closely allied to the pachydermata in essential structure than to any other creature. It is of clumsier structure than the rabbit, is without a tail, and has long bristly hairs scattered over the general fur. From the structure of its foot it cannot dig, and is hence not fitted to reside in burrows like the rabbit, but in the clefts of the rock, in conformity with the intimation here and in Psalms 104:18. Their timid, gregarious habits well mark them out as the wise and feeble folk of the present text. They live in colonies in the crevices of stony places, and in every locality that they inhabit, they are timid gentle creatures, loving much to bask in the sun, never stirring from their retreats, moving with caution, and shrinking from the shadow of a passing bird, as they are often the prey of eagles and hawks. Their habits are altogether diurnal, and they feed on reeds and vegetables.

It is remarkable that the single chapter of Proverbs ascribed to Agar contains more allusions to objects of natural history than in any other equal portion of the book, though one would expect them to be more abundant with a naturalist so great as Solomon.

We must not pass by another passage in this chapter (Proverbs 30:17), embodying what some have been disposed to regard (as in the case of the ant), as a popular superstition. It is this: “The eye that mocketh his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.” To many this has presented the aspect of a piece of rustic lore. But it is now very well ascertained, that in point of fact ravens, which feed on carrion, do commence their repast by picking out the eyes of the animal whose carcass they have discovered. It is equally true, that eagles and falcons, which take living prey, do, when the game is large and powerful, aim their stroke at the eyes, which instinct teaches them to be the readiest way of disabling their victim. This is a matter of familiar knowledge in Persia, where falconry, which has almost been discontinued in Europe, is still maintained with greater spirit than in any other country. Different kinds of fierce and powerful falcons are there employed in taking small game, as well as in giving active and very effective assistance to the hunters in the capture of large wild animals. This they do by fixing on the prey, planting their talons in its flesh, and pecking its eyes with their beaks or beating them out with their wings, till the poor creature, utterly confused and distracted with pain, is overtaken and slain by the hunters. Chardin was informed, that down to the early part of the seventeenth century, fierce falcons from the Caucasian mountains were trained to fly at men, and treat them in the manner just described; and he understood that some such birds were still kept in the royal bird-house. He adds: “I never saw any of them myself, but I heard that Ali Kouli Khan, the governor of Tauris, with whom I had been particularly acquainted, could not refrain from diverting himself with this dangerous and cruel sport, even at the expense of his friends. It happened one day that one of these birds was let fly at a gentleman, and not being called off in time, put out his eyes, so that he died from the fright and the agony. The king, when he heard of this, was so incensed, that he soon after withdrew his favor from the khan.” Note: Voyages, iii. 396. Edit. Langles.