Weasel
(choled) occurs only in (Leviticus 11:29) in the list of unclean animals; but the Hebrew word ought more probably to be translated “mole.” Moles are common in Palestine.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Weasel
Weasel we'-z'-l (choledh; compare Arabic khuld, "mole-rat"): (1) Choledh is found only in Le 11:29, where it stands first in the list of eight unclean "creeping things that creep upon the earth." the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) agree in rendering choledh by "weasel," and the Septuagint has gale, "weasel" or "marten." According to Gesenius, the Vulgate, Targum, and Talmud support the same rendering. In spite of this array of authorities, it is worth while to consider the claims of the mole-rat, Spalax typhlus, Arabic khuld. This is a very common rodent, similar in appearance and habits to the mole, which does not exist in Palestine. The fact that it burrows may be considered against it, in view of the words, "that creepeth upon the earth." The term "creeping thing" is, however, very applicable to it, and the objection seems like a quibble, especially in view of the fact that there is no category of subterranean animals. See MOLE. (2) The weasel, Mustela vulgaris, has a wide range in Asia, Europe, and North America. It is from 8 to 10 inches long,…
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible on Weasel
The authority of the LXX yaXfi and Vulg. mnstela (Lv 11-'') is in favour of the EV 'weasel,' and others of the Mustelidm, as the marten and civet. The authority of tho Arab. Ihuld, the cognate of holed, wliich signifiee the spalax or mole-rat of the East, would be against the rendering 'weasel,' were it not thav cognates often have widely ditl'erent meanings. In the articles Chameleon and Mole we have given all the evidence that bears on the question. It is perhaps best to follow the LXX and Vulg., and render ' weasel,' which must be held, however, to include other Mu.itelidce in Palestine, as the marten, Miistcla fuina, L. (Arab, nims), the ich- neumon, Herjiestes Ichneumon, Fisch. (Arab, niiiu and zcrdl), and the genet, Genctta vulgaris, C. A. Gray (Arab, nisnds and sainmUr), and others. G. E. Post. WEAVING (j-iK 'weave,' J-iy 'web' or 'shuttle.' Besides AV occurrences, RV gives ' weave in chequer work ' for A V ' embroider ' [ysv] in Ex 28", and 'weave together' for AV 'wrap up' in Mie 7', where MT nmss;; is prob. corrupt). — Weaving is closely connected with spinning, as the mate…
Fausset's Bible Dictionary on Weasel
So the Mishna interprets choled (Lev 11:29), as meaning an animal that glides or slips away. So Septuagint and Vulgate But Bochart takes it as related to the Arabic chuld, "the mole"; chephar is the more usual Hebrew for the mole (Isa 2:20). The choled was unclean.
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