Porcupine

By: Emil G. Hirsch, I. M. Casanowicz

Rendering adopted by many commentators for the Hebrew "ḳippod," for which the English versions have correctly Bittern. The porcupine (Hystrix cristata) is, however, very common in Palestine. It is considered by the natives as a larger species of hedgehog. Thus the Arabic "ḳunfod" (hedgehog) is often applied to the porcupine also.

In the Talmud the porcupine is assumed to be referred to by the terms (Ḥul. 122a), "ḳippod" or "ḳippor" (Kil. viii. 5), and (B. B. 4a). In the last-cited passage it is related that Herod put out the eyes of Baba b. Zuṭa by binding porcupine skin around them. The skin of the porcupine was also wrapped around the udders of the cow to prevent them from being sucked by animals (Shab. 54b).

Bibliography:

Tristram, Nat. Hist. p. 125;

Lewysohn, Z. T. p. 100.

PORCUPINE.—See Bittern.

por´ku-pin (קפּד, ḳippōdh (Isa 14:23; Isa 34:11; Zep 2:14) the King James Version “bittern,” the Revised Version (British and American) “porcupine”; Septuagint ἐχῖνος, echı́nos “hedgehog”; קפּוז, ḳippōz (Isa 34:15), the King James Version “great owl,” the English Revised Version “arrow-snake,” the American Standard Revised Version “dart-snake”; Septuagint echinos; compare Arabic ḳunfud, or ḳunfudh, “hedgehog” or “porcupine.” קפּד, ḳippōdh, is referred to the root קפד, ḳāphādh, “to draw one’s self together” or “to roll oneself up,” while קפּוז, ḳipoz is referred to the root קפז, ḳāphaz, and the root קפץ, ḳāphac, “to draw together in order to spring.” The resemblance between all these words, including the Arabic is obvious, and it is to be noted that the Septuagint has echinos in all the places cited):

The Greek echinos is the hedgehog. The Arabic ḳunfudh is used in some localities for the hedgehog and in others for the porcupine, which is also called nı̂s. The hedgehog is also called kibbâbat-ush-shauk, or “ball of spines.” These two animals are both found in Syria and Palestine, and, while both have spines, they are very different animals, though often confounded. The hedgehog, Erinaceus europeus, is one of the Insectivora. It eats not only insects but also snakes and other small animals, as well as fruits and roots. It is about 10 inches long, covered with short spines, and rolls itself into a ball when attacked. It inhabits the countries bordering the Mediterranean. The porcupine, Hystrix cristata, is a rodent, about 26 inches long, having long spines. It is herbivorous. It backs rapidly at its foes, thrusting its sharp spines into their flesh, not shooting its spines, as is often stated. It inhabits most of Europe and Asia. It is very different from the Canadian porcupine, Erethizon dorsatus, as well as from the tree porcupines of Mexico and Central and South America.

As to the rendering “bittern” for ḳippōdh (Isa 14:23; Isa 34:15; Zep 2:14), while the etymology favors “hedgehog,” the context favors a bird, especially in Isa 34:11, though it cannot be said that in any of the passages the context makes “hedgehog” an impossible rendering.

In Isa 34:15, for ḳippōz, most modern authorities (compare the Revised Version (British and American)) have some sort of serpent, referring to the Arabic root ḳafaz, “to spring.” (See notes above on ḳāphaz and ḳāphac.) In this passage also the context is not unfavorable to a bird (compare the King James Version “great owl”). See BITTERN; OWL; SERPENT.

Porcupine. The prophets Isaiah and Zephaniah mention a wild creature that lived in desolate ruined places (Isa 14:23; Isa 34:11; Zep 2:14). The KJV calls it a bittern, but the RSV translates the animal as hedgehog or porcupine (bustard, NEB). Palestine does have porcupines, even today. They are small animals with sharp needles all over their backs. When in danger, the porcupine rolls up into a prickly ball.

A porcupine (Hystrix cristata) is a large rodent that lives in the Holy Land. It has long, sharp quills (spiky hairs) that cover its body. When the porcupine feels threatened, it can raise these quills to look bigger.

Porcupines are most active at night. During the day, they rest in holes or cracks in rocks. They live in different places like forests, rocky hills, and valleys. There are two main types of porcupines. The kind found in the Middle East and Africa (called Old World porcupines) usually stays on the ground. The kind found in North and South America (called New World porcupines) often climbs trees.

A porcupine can grow very large, weighing up to 27.2 kilograms (60 pounds). It eats many different things, including:

• Fruit

• Tree bark

• Roots

• Plants

• Dead animals

While people can eat porcupine meat, the ancient Israelites did not eat it because it was not considered ceremonially clean according to the law of Moses. Many translations of Isaiah 34:11 and 14:23 use the word “porcupine.” Other translations use “hedgehog” or “owl.” The exact animal is uncertain.

See also Animals; Hedgehog; Owl.

Aquifer Open Bible Dictionary © 2026 Mission Mutual, an adaptation of the Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.