Leviticus 11:30

וְהָֽאֲנָקָ֥ה וְהַכֹּ֖חַ וְהַלְּטָאָ֑ה וְהַחֹ֖מֶט וְהַתִּנְשָֽׁמֶת
And the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole.
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Leviticus 11:30
Masoretic Phrasing
The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
וְהָֽאֲנָקָ֥ה וְהַכֹּ֖חַ Tipeha — a lesser break וְהַלְּטָאָ֑ה Etnahta — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וְהַחֹ֖מֶט Tipeha — a lesser break וְהַתִּנְשָֽׁמֶת Silluq — end of the verse
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Word Parts
וְ הָ ֽאֲנָקָ֥ה
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
הָ
Prefix — article the
ֽאֲנָקָ֥ה
Root word ferret
Dictionary form: אֲנָקָה · uh-naw-KAW
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar C/Td/Ncfsa
Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state
וְ Speech Conjunction
הָ Speech Particle Type Definite Article
אֲנָקָה Speech Noun Type Common Gender Feminine Number Singular State Absolute
In English
In the KJV here: and the ferret
and the ferret ×1
More options
gecko — Best zoological match; small insectivorous lizard (Lev 11:30).
wall lizard — Descriptive alternative; emphasizes habitat over species.
ferret — Traditional rendering; modernized from KJV, though zoologically disputed.
lizard — Broad, safe choice when exact species is uncertain.
groan creature — Reflects root אנק ('to groan'); rare, etymological approach.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB606 H604

BDB605 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB607

II. אֲנָקָה noun feminine ferret, or shrew-mouse, unclean animal Lev 11:30 (TristrFFP 24; ᵑ7 אקמתא).

Strong's Definition H604
ferret
ʾănāqâ
some kind of lizard, probably the gecko (from its wail)
  • an unclean animal, ferret, shrewmouse, gecko
    • perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning unknown
Variations 1 forms of this word
Translations 1 English renderings
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Word Parts
וְ הַ כֹּ֖חַ
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
הַ
Prefix — article the
כֹּ֖חַ
Root word strength, power, might, force, ability, …
Dictionary form: כֹּחַ · KOH-ah
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar C/Td/Ncmsa
Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state
וְ Speech Conjunction
הַ Speech Particle Type Definite Article
כֹּחַ Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute
In English
In the KJV here: and the chameleon
power ×19 strength ×15 my strength ×5 in power ×4 by his power ×3 his strength ×3 in strength ×3 my power ×3
More options
strength — Best default; physical or inner capacity to act.
power — Modernizes KJV; broad usage, authority or force implied.
might — Emphasizes intensity; suits poetic or elevated contexts.
ability — Prefer when skill or capability, not brute force, is meant.
energy — Suits contexts of vitality, stamina, or bodily vigor.
resources — Good when כֹּחַ refers to wealth or material substance.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB3986 H3581

BDB3985 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3987

I. כֹּחַ noun [masculine] a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, in list of unclean creeping things Lev 11:30 ᵐ5 ᵑ9 AV chameleon; on various opinions see Di.

BDB3987 H3581

BDB3986 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3988

II. כֹּחַ see below כחח.

BDB3990 H3581

BDB3989 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3991

II. כֹּחַ and ( Dan 11:6) כּוֺחַ noun masculineDeut 4:37 strength, power (Late Hebrew id.); — ׳כ absolute Deut 8:18 +; construct Num 14:17 +; suffix כֹּחִי Gen 31:6 +; כֹּחֲךָ Judg 16:6 +, כֹּחֶ֑ךָ Prov 5:10, כֹּחֶ֑כָה Prov 24:10, etc.; always singular; —

1. human strength:
  a. physical, of Samson Judg 16:5; Judg 16:6; Judg 16:9; Judg 16:15; Judg 16:17; Judg 16:19; Judg 16:30 strength in toil Isa 44:12 (זְרוֺעַ כֹּחוֺ), vIsa 44:12; Lev 26:20; Neh 4:4 of manly vigour (in procreation) אַתָּה כֹּחִי וְרֵאשִׁית אוֺנִי Gen 49:3 (poem in J; said to Reuben); vigour in general Josh 14:11 (twice in verse) (JE), Judg 6:14; 1Sam 28:22; Job 6:11; Job 6:12; Ps 31:11; Ps 38:11; Ps 71:9; Ps 102:24; Prov 20:29 as sustained by food 1Kgs 19:8 lack of such vigour is לֹאכֹֿחַ Job 26:2, compare מִכֹּחַ Jer 48:45 without strength; ׳בְּלֹאכֿ Lam 1:6 ׳יְגִיעֵיכֿ Job 3:17 כֹּחַ לֹאהָֿיָה בוֺ 1Sam 28:20, compare Dan 10:8; Dan 10:17 in Ps 22:16 read חִכִּי, so Ew Ol Che and others; specifically of power of voice Isa 40:9.
  b. more inclusively, ability, efficiency: followed by infinitive, ability to weep 1Sam 30:4 to get wealth Deut 8:18 to bring forth (a child; in figure) 2Kgs 19:3 = Isa 37:3 followed by לַעֲמֹד Dan 1:4; Ezra 10:13, compare Dan 11:15 without infinitive 1Chr 29:2; Ezra 2:69 of efficiency in battle 2Chr 14:10; 2Chr 20:12; 2Chr 26:13 for porter's service in temple אִישׁחַֿיִל בַּכֹּחַ לַעֲבֹדָה 1Chr 26:8 ability or efficiency in general Gen 31:6; Prov 24:5; Prov 24:10; Eccl 4:1; Eccl 9:10, so probably כֹּחַ יְדֵיהֶם Job 30:2 עָצַר כֹּחַ (late, compare עצר) retain ability or strength, followed by infinitive; לְהִתְנַדֵּב ׳נַעְצֹר כ 1Chr 29:14 that we should retain (have) ability to make freewill-oferings; to build 2Chr 2:5 with negative, without infinitive, Dan 10:8; Dan 10:16 (compare Dan 11:6, c).
  c. power of a people, or king, Josh 17:17; Nah 2:2; Hab 1:11; Isa 49:4 (of servant of ׳י), Lam 1:14; Dan 8:22; Dan 8:24 a, also vDan 8:24 b (si vera lectio, see Bev), Dan 11:25 (|| לֵבָב); with עָצַר 2Chr 13:20; 2Chr 22:9; Dan 11:6 (הַזְּרוֺעַ ׳לֹא תַעְצֹר כ, compare b); in Hos 7:9 figurative of body seems combined with that of land yielding produce (see 5 below)
  d. power opposed to that of God Amos 2:14; Isa 10:13 (יָדִי ׳כ), Deut 8:17; 1Sam 2:9; Zech 4:6; Job 36:19; Ps 33:16.
  e. power conferred by God Isa 40:29, compare vIsa 40:31; Isa 41:1 of prophetic power Mic 3:8.
2. strength of angels Ps 103:20.
3. power of God: in creation Jer 10:12; Jer 51:15 (see also Jer 32:17 below), Ps 65:7 in governing the world 1Chr 29:12; 2Chr 20:6; Ps 29:4 in acts of deliverance and judgment Exod 9:16; Exod 15:6; Exod 32:11; Num 14:13; Num 14:17 (JE), Isa 50:2; 2Chr 25:8; Job 9:19; Job 24:22; Job 26:12; Job 30:18; Job 36:22 in combination כֹּחַ גָּדוֺל Deut 4:37 || יָד חֲזָקָה Exod 32:11(JE), Neh 1:10 || זְרוֺעַ נְטוּיָה Deut 9:29; 2Kgs 17:36; Jer 27:5; Jer 32:17 he is רַבכֹּֿחַ Ps 147:5 compare רֹב כֹּחוֺ Isa 63:1; Job 23:6 also גדולכֹּֿחַ Nah 1:3 אַמִּיץ כֹּחַ Isa 40:26; Job 9:4, שַׂגִּיאכֹֿחַ Job 37:23 כֹּחַ מַעֲשָׂיו Ps 111:6 the power of his works; בַּכֹּחַ ׳קוֺל י Ps 29:4 (of thunder); specifically of his wisdom (rather peculiarly, Elihu) כַּבִּיר כֹּחַ לֵב Job 36:5 mighty in strength of mind.
4. of animals: wild ox Job 39:11, horse vJob 39:21, hippopotamus Job 40:16, bullock Prov 14:4 he-goat Dan 8:6 ram vDan 8:7.
5. strength, of soil i.e. produce, Gen 4:12 (J), Job 31:30 (Hos 7:9 see
1. c above); = wealth (compare חַילִ) Prov 5:10; Job 6:22.

Strong's Definition H3581
strength, power, might, force, ability, …
kōaḥ
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard
  • strength, power, might
    • human strength
      • "strength (of angels)"power (of God)"strength (of animals)"strength, produce, wealth (of soil)
    a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, which is unclean
    • perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning is unknown
Variations 39 forms of this word
Translations 69 English renderings
Power Strength
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Word Parts
וְ הַ לְּטָאָ֑ה
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
הַ
Prefix — article the
לְּטָאָ֑ה
Root word lizard
Dictionary form: לְטָאָה · leh-taw-AW
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar C/Td/Ncfsa
Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state
וְ Speech Conjunction
הַ Speech Particle Type Definite Article
לְּטָאָה Speech Noun Type Common Gender Feminine Number Singular State Absolute
In English
In the KJV here: and the lizard
and the lizard ×1
More options
lizard — Standard modern term; broadly understood.
gecko — Specific species many scholars identify with this word.
wall lizard — Highlights the creature's habitat; more descriptive.
skink — Alternative species identification found in some commentaries.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4406 H3911

BDB4405 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4407

לְטָאָה noun feminine a kind of lizard (Late Hebrew id.); — named as unclean Lev 11:30 (with צָב, אֲנָקָה, כֹּחַ, חֹמֶט, תִּנְשֶׁמֶת), ᵐ5 χαλαβώτης, ᵑ9 stellio. — See Dion the passage TristrNat. Hist. Bib. 266 ff.

Strong's Definition H3911
lizard
lĕṭāʾâ
a kind of lizard (from its covert habits)
  • a kind of lizard
    • named as being unclean
      • "perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning is unknown
Variations 1 forms of this word
Translations 1 English renderings
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Word Parts
וְ הַ חֹ֖מֶט
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
הַ
Prefix — article the
חֹ֖מֶט
Root word snail
Dictionary form: חֹמֶט · hoh-MET
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar C/Td/Ncmsa
Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state
וְ Speech Conjunction
הַ Speech Particle Type Definite Article
חֹמֶט Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute
In English
In the KJV here: and the snail
and the snail ×1
More options
snail — Standard modern term; broadly understood.
slug — Fits if no shell implied; some scholars prefer this.
land snail — Specifies terrestrial species for biological precision.
mollusk — Broader category; use when exact species is uncertain.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB2855 H2546

BDB2854 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2856

חֹ֫מֶט noun [masculine] a kind of lizard, only in list of unclean creeping animals Lev 11:30 וְהָאֲנָקָה וְהַכֹּחַ וְהַלְּטָאָ֑ה וְהַחֹמֶט וְהַתִּנְשָֽׁמֶת ׃ (Aramaic is chameleon).

Strong's Definition H2546
snail
ḥōmeṭ
a lizard (as creeping)
  • a kind of lizard, only in list of unclean animals
    • perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning is unknown
Variations 1 forms of this word
Translations 1 English renderings
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Word Parts
וְ הַ תִּנְשָֽׁמֶת
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
הַ
Prefix — article the
תִּנְשָֽׁמֶת
Root word swan, mole
Dictionary form: תַּנְשֶׁמֶת · tahn-sheh-MET
Vowels & Accents
Hebrew Alephbet
Grammar C/Td/Ncfsa
Noun — Common, feminine singular, absolute state
וְ Speech Conjunction
הַ Speech Particle Type Definite Article
תִּנְשָֽׁמֶת Speech Noun Type Common Gender Feminine Number Singular State Absolute
In English
In the KJV here: and the mole
and the swan ×2 and the mole ×1
More options
barn owl — Most scholars now favor this bird identification.
ibis — Alternative scholarly proposal for the bird referent.
mole rat — Preferred modern rendering for the mammal context.
chameleon — Proposed for Lev 11:30 context by some scholars.
horned owl — Used in NIV; credible bird candidate.
Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB5423 H8580

BDB5422 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB5424

תִּנְשֶׁ֫מֶת noun feminine an animal; — ׳ת Lev 11:18, תִּנְשָּׁ֑מֶת Lev 11:30; Deut 14:16: —

1. unclean bird, the ibis, water-hen, ᵐ5. πορφυρίων, (accusative TristrNHB 249); or species of owl (Di Bu SS); pelican (Ges): Lev 11:18 = Deut 14:16.
2. unclean שֶׁרֶץ Lev 11:30, lizard (Saad TristrNHB 120), or chameleon (BoHieroz. i. 1078 ff.; ed. Rosenm. ii. 503 ff.), so most; (deriving name from alleged living on air, PlinNH viii. 51; but this not applicable to 1; compare LagBN 130 f.).

Strong's Definition H8580
swan, mole
tanšemet
properly, a hard breather, i.e., the name of two unclean creatures, a lizard and a bird (both perhaps from changing color through their irascibility), probably the tree-toad and the water-hen
  • an unclean animal of some kind
    • an unclean bird
      • perhaps the ibis, water-hen, species of owl, barn owl
      an unclean lizard
      • perhaps the chameleon
      perhaps an extinct lizard or bird, exact meaning unknown
Variations 2 forms of this word
Translations 2 English renderings
Leviticus 11:29
Read Leviticus 11
Leviticus 11:31