לְטָאָה
a kind of lizard (from its covert habits)
Definition
לְטָאָה (lᵉṭâʼâh) refers to a specific type of lizard, likely identified by its secretive or 'covert' habits of hiding. It appears in the Old Testament exclusively within the context of the Mosaic Law's dietary and purity regulations. In Leviticus 11:30, it is listed among the 'swarming things' that are ceremonially unclean and therefore forbidden as food for the Israelites. The precise species is uncertain, but it is grouped with other small creeping animals like the gecko, the land crocodile, and the chameleon.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in Leviticus 11:30. Its usage is strictly taxonomic and legal, appearing in a list that defines which creatures are ritually 'unclean.' There are no narrative or poetic uses; its sole function is to specify a prohibited animal within the holiness code given to Israel.
Etymology
The noun לְטָאָה derives from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to hide' or 'to cover secretly.' This etymological connection directly informs its brief gloss, highlighting the creature's perceived covert or stealthy behavior. The name is descriptive, classifying the animal by a characteristic action rather than its physical appearance alone.
Semantic Range
While the lizard itself is a mundane creature, its inclusion in Leviticus 11 carries theological weight. It underscores the comprehensive nature of the Law's holiness code, which governed all areas of life, including diet. Distinguishing between clean and unclean animals was a tangible practice that taught Israel about separation unto God. Understanding this specific term enriches reading by highlighting the detailed care in God's instructions for shaping a distinct, holy community.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, lizards and similar small reptiles were common but were generally considered undesirable or unclean, often associated with dirt and decay. The biblical list reflects this cultural perception, codifying it into religious law. The modern reader might see a simple lizard, but the original audience understood its listing as a clear boundary marker for purity and communal identity.
צָב (tsav, H6632) — a lizard, possibly a species of great lizard or tortoise; also listed as unclean in Leviticus 11:29. כֹּחַ (koach, H3581) — a gecko or similar lizard; listed alongside לְטָאָה in Leviticus 11:30. תִּנְשֶׁמֶת (tinshemeth, H8580) — a chameleon or possibly a mole; another unclean 'swarming thing' in the same list (Leviticus 11:30).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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