Month: October 2020

Animals of the Bible Lands.

Nubian Ibex (Wild Goat)

“And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.
2  Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.” – 1 Samuel 24:1,2

A young Nubian ibex, also known as a Rock Goat or Wild Goat. Photo taken near Eilat Israel, at the North shore of the Red Sea.

“Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth?” – Job 39:1

Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve

Most of the following photos were taken during a drive through the Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve located in Southern Israel between Eilat and Timna Park. The animals roam freely within the 12 square km reserve.

Yotvata hai-bar nature reserve

Ostrich

“Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?” – Job 39:13

Ostrich at the Hai-Bar nature Reserve near Yotvata Israel, just north of Eilat.

Wild Ass

“Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?” – Job 39:5

Somali Wild Ass at Israel’s Hai-Bar Nature Reserve near Yotvata. There are reportedly fewer than 1000 in the wild.

Coney, aka Rock Badger or Hyrax.

“The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;” – Proverbs 30:26

Image captured near Israel’s Dead Sea by Elina_N from Pixabay.

Addax, aka antelope or pygarg? – Deut. 14:5

The pygarg is included in a list of animals permitted to eat in Deuteronomy 14:5. This is the only reference to this beautiful creature in the Bible.

An addax at the Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve.

Oryx

The oryx is believed by many to be the unicorn spoken of in eight passages in the Bible, including Psalm 29:6 – “He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.”

Scimitar horned oryx at the Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve.
White oryx at the Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve.