Ferret (Hastings' Dictionary)
The ferret is not found in Palestine or Syria, and cannot be the animal intended. It is probably, as in RV, the gecko. See Gecko. G. E. Post.
This topic also has an entry in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Both articles offer independent scholarly perspectives.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Ferret
Ferret fer'-et ('anaqah, the Revised Version (British and American) GECKO): Occurs only in Le 11:30 the King James Version, in the list of animals which are unclean "among the creeping things that creep upon the earth." the Revised Version (British and American) has "gecko" with the marginal note, "Words of uncertain meaning, but probably denoting four kinds of lizards." The list of animals in Le 11:29-30 includes (1) choledh, English Versions of the Bible "weasel"; (2) `akhbar, English Versions of the Bible "mouse"; (3) tsabh, the King James Version "tortoise," the Revised Version (British and American) "great lizard"; (4) 'anaqkah, the King James Version "ferret," the Revised Version (British and American) "gecko"; (5) koach the King James Version "chameleon," the Revised Version (British and American) "land crocodile"; (6) leTa'ah, English Versions of the Bible "lizard"; (7) chomeT, the King James Version "snail," the Revised Version (British and American) "sand lizard"; (8) tinshemeth, the King James Version "mole," the Revised Version (British and American) "chameleon." It will…
Smith's Bible Dictionary on Ferret
one of the unclean creeping things mentioned in (Leviticus 11:30) The animal referred to was probably a reptile of the lizard tribe (the gecko). The rabbinical writers seen to have identified this animal with the hedgehog.
Fausset's Bible Dictionary on Ferret
Hebrew 'anaqah, from 'aanaq "to groan." Gosse refers it to the house mouse, from its squeak. Rather the gecko, which croaks as a frog and has feet so formed as to walk on the ceilings of houses which it enters (Lev 29:30, Speaker's Commentary). It is enumerated with unclean creeping things, which favors the view that some lizard is meant.
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia