Weasel

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

So the Mishna interprets Choled ( Leviticus 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 ( Isaiah 2:20). The Choled was unclean.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

This occurs only in  Leviticus 11:29 as one of the unclean animals. The word is choled, and occurs nowhere else. Gesenius translates it 'weasel,' so called from its swift gliding motion, or its gliding into holes. Some, however, judge it to be the mole, the Arabic name of which is chuld, and the Syriac chuldo. This latter interpretation is probably the right one.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Weasel ( chôled ,   Leviticus 11:29 ). An ‘unclean’ animal. Since the Heb. root châlad means ‘to dig,’ and the Arab [Note: Arabic.] , khuld is the ‘mole-rat,’ it is practically certain that this latter is the correct translation of chôled . Cf. Mole.

E. W. G. Masterman.

Webster's Dictionary

(n.) Any one of various species of small carnivores belonging to the genus Putorius, as the ermine and ferret. They have a slender, elongated body, and are noted for the quickness of their movements and for their bloodthirsty habit in destroying poultry, rats, etc. The ermine and some other species are brown in summer, and turn white in winter; others are brown at all seasons.

King James Dictionary

Weasel, Weesel n. s as z. A small animal of the genus Mustela, which lives under the roots of trees, or in other holes, and feeds on small birds, but particularly on mice. A weasel that frequents barns and corn-houses, frees them from rats and mice, and is sometimes deemed a very useful inmate.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Weasel. (Hebrew, 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.

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Weasel ( Chôled ) 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.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

One of the unclean animals,  Leviticus 11:29 . Several varieties of weasels are found in and around Palestine; but in the verse above probably the common mole is intended.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Leviticus 11:29 palax Sehrenberg Animals

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Leviticus 11:29

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Fig. 341—Paradoxurus Typus—the Palm-Martin

The Viverridae and Mustellidae appear, both anciently and among ourselves, collected into a kind of group, under an impression that they belong to the feline family; hence we, like the ancients, still use the words civet-cat, tree-cat, pole-cat, etc.; and, in reality, a considerable number of the species have partially retractile claws, the pupils of the eyes being contractile like those of cats, of which they even bear the spotted and streaked liveries. All such naturally have arboreal habits, and from their low lengthy forms are no less disposed to burrow; but many of them, chiefly in other hemispheres, are excellent swimmers. One of these species, allied to if not the same as genetta barbara, is the Thela Aelan, by Bochart described as having 'various colors, and as being spotted like a pard.' There are besides, in the same region, the nimse ferret or polecat, for these two are not specifically distinct, the weasel differing from ours chiefly in its superior size and darker colors. A paradoxurus, identical with or nearly allied to P. typus, occurs in Arabia; for it seems these animals are found wherever there are palmiferae, the date-palm in particular being a favorite residence of the species. Two or three varieties, or perhaps species, of nems occur in Egypt solely. Arabia Proper has several other animals not clearly distinguished, though belonging to the families here noticed.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

wē´z ' 50 ( חלד , ḥōledh  ; compare Arabic khuld , "mole-rat"): (1) Ḥōledh is found only in   Leviticus 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 ḥōledh by "weasel," and the Septuagint has γαλῆ , galḗ , "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, including the short tail. It is brown above and white below. In the northern part of its range, its whole fur, except the tail, is white in winter. It is active and fearless, and preys upon all sorts of small mammals, birds and insects. See Lizard .

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Bibliography Information McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Weasel'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/w/weasel.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.