Hyena
Natureâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
The striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) inhabits regions from India to North Africa and is characterized by its scavenging habits and nocturnal behavior. Biblical texts frequently reference this animal to depict desolation, wildness, and uncleanliness.
What is the meaning of Hyena in the Bible?
The striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) inhabits regions from India to North Africa and is characterized by its scavenging habits and nocturnal behavior. Biblical texts frequently reference this animal to depict desolation, wildness, and uncleanliness.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the hyena's role as a scavenger of ruins clarifies its symbolic use in prophetic literature to illustrate the consequences of judgment and the abandonment of cities.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Hyena in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Hyena clarify?
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Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.