The meaning of “תַּנְשֶׁמֶת”
Understanding tanshemeth reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
mole, swan. - properly, a hard breather, i.e. the name of two unclean creatures, a lizard and abird (both perhaps from c...
תַּנְשֶׁמֶת
mole, swan. - properly, a hard breather, i.e. the name of two unclean creatures, a lizard and abird (both perhaps from changing color through their irascibility), probably the tree-toad and the water-hen 1) an unclean animal of some kind 1a) an unclean bird 1a1) perhaps the ibis, water-hen, species of owl, barn owl 1b) an unclean lizard 1b1) perhaps the chameleon 1c) perhaps an extinct lizard or bird, exact meaning unknown
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Leviticus 11:18 | “And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle,” Word: תַּנְשֶׁמֶת (tanshemeth) | |
| Leviticus 11:30 | “And the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole.” Word: תַּנְשֶׁמֶת (tanshemeth) | |
| Deuteronomy 14:16 | “The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,” Word: תַּנְשֶׁמֶת (tanshemeth) |