Gazelle

9 sources

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary by American Tract Society (1859)

See ROE.\par

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature by John McClintock & James Strong (1880) ↑

(Antilope dorcas), an animal of the genus Antelopide, probably designated by the Gr. term δορκάς (comp. Act 9:36) and the Heb. צְבַי, tsebi’ (rendered "roe" in 2Sa 2:18; 1Ch 12:8; Pro 6:5; Son 2:7; Son 2:9; Son 2:17; Son 3:5; Son 8:14, Isa 13:14; and "roebuck" in Deu 12:15; Deu 12:22; Deu 14:5; 1Ki 4:23), or in the feminine form צְבַיָּה, tsebiyah’ ("roe," Son 4:5; Son 7:3); "both terms, however, being applicalale to the whole group; and the Hebrew name is by distant nations now used for allied species which are unknown in Arabia and Syria. Of this sub-genus gazella at least one species, but more probably four or five, still inhabit the uplands and deserts of Egypt, Arabia, and the eastern and southern borders of Palestine. All these species are nearly allied, the largest not measuring more than two feet in height at the shoulder, and the least, the corinna, not more than about twenty inches. They are graceful and elegant in form, with limbs exceedingly slender, and have large and soft eyes, lyrated horns, black, wrinkled, and striated most robust in sub-gutturosa and kevella, most slender in corrina, and smallest in cora. Their livery is more or less buff and dume, white beneath, with small tufts of hair or brushes on the fore-knees; they have all a dark streak passing from each ear through the eyes to the nostrils, and a hand of the same color from thee elbow of the fore-leg along the sides to the flank, excepting the corinna, whose markings are more rufous and general colors lighter. Most, if not all, have a feeble bleating voice, seldom uttered, are unsurpassed in graceful timidity, gregarious in habit, and residents on the open deserts, where they are unceasingly watchful, and prepared to flee with such speed that greyhounds are liable to be killed by over-exertion in the chase." They roam over the plains of Syria sometimes in herds of a thousand (Russell, Aleppo, 2:14): Their flesh is lean, but highly prized (Prosp. Alpin. Hist. nat. AEg. 4:9). They are often made the symbol of female beauty (Son 2:9; Son 2:17; Son 8:14) by Orientals (Seth, ad ben Zohair, page 98 sq.; Dopke, Comment. z. Hohesl. page 97; Rosenmüller, AMorgenl. 4:129): See Thomson, Land and Book, 1:251 sq.; Kelly’s Syria, page 38 sq. SEE ANTELOPE; SEE DEER.

Jewish Encyclopedia by Isidore Singer (ed.) (1906) ↑

See ROEBUCK.

See Hart; Roe.

Dictionary of the Bible by James Hastings (1909) ↑

GAZELLE (zebî, tr. [Note: translate or translation.] 2Sa 2:18, 1Ch 12:8 etc. in AV [Note: Authorized Version.] ‘roe’; in Deu 14:5 etc. ‘roebuck,’ but in RV [Note: Revised Version.] ‘gazelle’).—The gazelle (Arab. [Note: Arabic.] ghazal, also zabi) is one of the commonest of the larger animals of Palestine; it is one of the most beautiful and graceful of antelopes. It is fawn and white in colour; it is much hunted (Pro 6:5, Isa 13:14); it is noted for its speed (2Sa 2:13, 1Ch 12:8); its flesh is considered, at least in towns, a delicacy.

Ghazaleh (‘female gazelle’) is a favourite name for a girl among the Yemin Jews, as Dorcas and Tabitha, with the same meaning, were in NT times (Act 9:36; Act 9:40).

E. W. G. Masterman.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia by James Orr (ed.) (1915) ↑

ga-zel´ (צבי, c^ebhı̄, and feminine צביה, c^ebhı̄yāh; compare Ταβειθά, Tabeithá (Act 9:36), and Arabic ẓabi; also Arabic ghazâl; Δορκάς, Dorkás (Act 9:36); modern Greek ζαρκάδι, zarkádi): The word “gazelle” does not occur in the King James Version, where c^ebhı̄ and c^ebhı̄yāh, in the 16 passages where they occur, are uniformly translated “roe” or “roebuck.” In the Revised Version (British and American) the treatment is not uniform. We find “gazelle” without comment in Deu 12:15, Deu 12:22; Deu 14:5; Deu 15:22; 1Ki 4:23. We find “roe,” with marginal note “or gazelle,” in Pro 6:5; Son 2:7, Son 2:9, Son 2:17; Son 4:5; Son 8:14; Isa 13:14. We find “roe” without comment in 2Sa 2:18; 1Ch 12:8; Son 3:5; Son 7:3. In the last passage cited, Son 7:3, while the American Standard Revised Version has no note, the English Revised Version refers to Son 4:5, where “gazelle” is graven in the margin. In the opinion of the writer, the rendering should be “gazelle” in all of these passages. It must be acknowledged, however, that the gazelle and the roe-deer are of about the same size, and are sometimes confused with each other. The Greek dorkas may refer to either, and in Syria the roe-deer is sometimes called ghazâl or even wa‛l, which is the proper name of the Persian wild goat.

The gazelle is an antelope belonging to the bovine family of the even-toed ruminants. There are more than twenty species of gazelle, all belonging to Asia and Africa. The species found in Syria and Palestine is the Dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas). It is 2 ft. high at the shoulders. Both sexes have unbranched, lyrate, ringed horns, which may be a foot long. The general coloration is tawny, but it is creamy white below and on the rump, and has a narrow white line from above the eye to the nostril. Several varieties have been distinguished, but they will not bear elevation to the rank of species, except perhaps Gazella merilli a form of which a few specimens have been obtained from the Judean hills, having distinctly different horns from those of the common gazelle. The gazelle is found singly or in small groups on the interior plains and the uplands, but not in the high mountains. It is a marvel of lightness and grace, and a herd, when alarmed, makes off with great rapidity over the roughest country (2Sa 2:18; 1Ch 12:8; Pro 6:5; Son 8:14). The beauty of the eyes is proverbial. The skin is used for floor coverings, pouches or shoes, and the flesh is eaten, though not highly esteemed. See DEER; GOAT; ZOOLOGY.

Plants and Animals of the Bible by David Cox (1970) ↑

See Antelope

Easy-To-Read Word List by Various (1990) ↑

A small, fast kind of antelope, an

animal like a deer.

Aquifer Open Bible Dictionary by Mission Mutual, adapted from the Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary (2023)

A gazelle is a type of antelope (deer-like animal) that lives in Asia and Africa. These animals are known for their speed and graceful movement.

Palestine and Israel is home to two types of gazelles. Both male and female gazelles have curved horns. The dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas) is pale fawn and up to 56 centimeters (22 inches) tall. Meanwhile, the Arabian gazelle (Gazella arabica) is darker and can reach 63.5 centimeters (25 inches).

Gazelles are common in the holy land's deserts and steppes, especially in the Negev Desert. Typically, herds have five to ten animals. However, some migrate in large groups during fall to find new feeding grounds at lower elevations. They eat plants. Being shy, they appoint guards to watch for danger.

In biblical times the gazelle was probably the game animal most hunted by the Jews (Proverbs 6:5; Isaiah 13:14). Pharaoh Tutankhamen hunted gazelles and ostriches. People brought gazelles to King Solomon's palace for food (1 Kings 4:23).

Gazelles were not easy to catch because they ran quickly (2 Samuel 2:18; 1 Chronicles 12:8; Proverbs 6:5). They were even faster than the deer. They were trapped in different ways: caught in nets, pushed into pits, or herded into narrow valleys to be shot. The Bedouin hunt gazelles with falcons and dogs. The falcon strikes the gazelle's head, injuring it. This makes it easier for the dogs to catch up.

The gazelle is referred to in Song of Solomon where it is an image of feminine beauty (Song of Solomon 2:9, 17; 4:5; 7:3; 8:14).

See also Antelope.

Animals in the Bible (UBS) by United Bible Societies

References:

Hebrew צְבִי (tsvi)

DEU 12:15, DEU 12:22, DEU 14:5, DEU 15:22, 2SA 2:18, 1KI 5:3, PRO 6:5, SNG 2:9, SNG 2:17, SNG 8:14, ISA 13:14

Hebrew צְבִיָּה (tsviyah)

SNG 2:7, SNG 3:5, SNG 4:5, SNG 7:4

Greek δορκάς (dorkas)

SIR 27:20

Discussion:

Both the Hebrew and Greek names are probably general terms for gazelle. At least two types of gazelle the Dorcas Gazelle Gazella dorcas and the Palestine or Arabian Gazelle Gazella arabica were found in the Middle East. They are still to be found in secluded areas. The gazelles pictured on the Ashurbanipal hunting panels are undoubtedly Impala Aepyceros melampus as can be seen from both the shape of the horns and the fact that the females are without horns. This would indicate that about 650 B.C. the impala was found as far east as Nineveh.

Description:

Gazelles are small to medium sized plains antelopes, inhabiting savannah plains and semideserts. Both sexes have horns, except for the female impala, which is without horns. The horns of the gazelle species mentioned above are lyre-shaped about 25–50 centimeters (10–20 inches) in length. Gazelles are reddish brown with almost white underparts. They are long-legged and graceful and are expert jumpers. They live in small herds of up to about thirty. Females become sexually active at one year and bear young every year. This high rate of reproduction ensures their survival. They feed on both grass and the leaves of acacia and other bushes.

A breeding herd consists of one dominant breeding male and a group of females. The other males are chased from the herd when they become sexually active and they then form bachelor herds. These bachelor herds are the prime target for human and animal hunters since they provide a convenient source of meat while leaving the breeding cycle intact. In biblical times gazelles were trapped in nets or snares or were shot with bows and arrows.

Special significance or symbolism:

The gazelle was seen as the cleanest of game animals since it met all the requirements of the Law concerning cloven hooves and cud-chewing. It was also a symbol of speed grace and beauty (the Hebrew root means beauty) and of female sexuality and fertility.

Translation:

Where a language distinguishes between male and female animals, tsvi should be translated by the male form and tsviyah by the female form.

In East Africa where gazelles are well known, a generic word for gazelles or the specific word for one of the smaller gazelles, such as the Thompson’s Gazelle Gazella thompsonii, is suitable. Elsewhere in Africa where the impala is known, the word for this antelope can be used.

Elsewhere, the word for a small antelope or deer that lives in herds can be used for the references that are literal, and the word for some swift, graceful antelope or deer can be used in the contexts where speed, grace, or beauty are being symbolized. As usual, in areas where gazelles, antelopes, and deer are unknown, a transliteration from the dominant international language or from the Hebrew original can be used. In such cases a description should be given in the glossary.