יַחְמוּר
a kind of deer
Definition
The Hebrew word יַחְמוּר (yachmûwr) refers to a specific type of deer or antelope, likely the fallow deer (Dama dama), known for its reddish-brown coat. It is listed among the clean animals permitted for food in the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 14:5). In 1 Kings 4:23, it appears among the provisions for King Solomon's table, indicating it was considered a choice and valuable game animal. The term consistently denotes this particular species in both of its biblical occurrences.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, both times in lists of animals. In Deuteronomy 14:5, it is included in the list of clean animals the Israelites were permitted to eat. In 1 Kings 4:23, it is listed among the daily provisions supplied for King Solomon's royal household, highlighting its status as a luxury food item. Both uses are in formal, descriptive contexts.
Etymology
Derived from the root חָמַר (ḥāmar, H2560), meaning 'to ferment, boil up, or be red.' The name likely describes the animal's reddish-brown coloration, similar to the color of fermenting wine or dyed material. This connection to color is a common feature in ancient animal naming.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is not theologically loaded, its inclusion in the clean animal lists (Deuteronomy 14:5) connects it to the concepts of holiness, separation, and God's provision. Understanding that specific animals were designated as 'clean' enriches the reading of the dietary laws by emphasizing God's care in providing wholesome food and establishing a distinct identity for His people through everyday practices.
In the ancient Near East, the fallow deer was a prized game animal, valued for its meat and possibly its hide. Its presence on Solomon's table (1 Kings 4:23) signifies royal opulence and the extent of the kingdom's resources. Modern readers might simply see 'deer,' but the original audience would have recognized it as a specific, desirable species, reflecting both dietary law and social status.
אַיָּל (ʼayyāl, H354) — a more general term for 'stag' or 'hart'. צְבִי (tseḇî, H6643) — often translated 'gazelle' or 'roe deer,' a different, swifter antelope species.
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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