Original Word: אַרְנֶבֶת
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: arnebeth
Pronunciation: ar-NEH-beth
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-neh'-beth)
KJV: hare
NASB: rabbit
Word Origin: [of uncertain derivation]

1. the hare

hare

Of uncertain derivation; the hare -- hare.

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
a hare
NASB Translation
rabbit (2).

אַרְנֶבֶת noun feminine hare (Arabic , Syriac , Assyrian annabu, as springer?) eating of it forbidden Leviticus 11:6 (P) Deuteronomy 14:7.

אָ֫נָה אָ֫נֶה see below אַי.

Animal Identification

The Hebrew word refers to the hare, a quick-moving lagomorph common to the land of Canaan and surrounding regions. Distinct from the rock badger (hyrax) mentioned in Psalm 104:18, the hare is recognizable by its long ears, powerful hind legs, and crepuscular habits.

Scriptural Occurrences

1. Leviticus 11:6 – “The hare chews the cud but does not have a divided hoof; it is unclean for you.”
2. Deuteronomy 14:7 – “the rabbit, and the hare … are unclean for you; they are not to be eaten.”

Theological and Covenantal Significance

Within the Mosaic dietary code, the hare is grouped among animals that appear to ruminate yet lack true cloven hooves. The prohibition underscored Israel’s distinctiveness, teaching holiness through everyday choices (Leviticus 11:44–45). By avoiding creatures that only partly met the clean-animal criteria, Israel learned to reject partial obedience and pursue wholeness before the LORD.

Historical and Cultural Insights

Ancient Near Eastern peoples commonly hunted or trapped hares for food and fur. Israel’s abstention therefore marked a visible divergence from neighboring cultures, reinforcing covenant identity. Rabbinic literature notes debates on whether the hare’s chewing action qualifies as true cud-chewing; Scripture’s classification stands above post-biblical speculation, illustrating the sufficiency of divine revelation for faith and practice.

Symbolic and Ethical Lessons

1. Discernment: The hare looked acceptable (apparent cud-chewing) yet failed the hoof test. Believers learn to evaluate holiness by God’s full standard, not by appearances (1 Samuel 16:7).
2. Separation: Just as the hare was excluded from Israelite tables, Christians are reminded to separate from anything that compromises their covenant calling (2 Corinthians 6:17).
3. Obedience over pragmatism: Hares were abundant and nutritious, but God’s word determined diet. Likewise, disciples submit preferences to the Lordship of Christ (Luke 9:23).

Practical and Ministerial Applications

• Teaching on biblical holiness: The hare offers a tangible illustration when explaining Old Testament food laws in children’s ministry or adult classes.
• Apologetics: The animal’s classification demonstrates the coherence of Scripture’s ethical system; it also invites discussion on health benefits that often accompany God’s moral directives.
• Missions: Highlighting how ancient food restrictions set Israel apart can help modern believers appreciate the cultural cost of discipleship in unreached contexts.

Messianic and Typological Reflections

The ceremonial uncleanness of the hare, like that of other prohibited animals, anticipated the work of Christ who “made purification for sins” (Hebrews 1:3). Under the new covenant, foods are declared clean (Mark 7:19; Acts 10:15), yet the underlying principle endures: God calls His people to be holy in every sphere of life, a holiness now empowered by the indwelling Spirit rather than dietary regulation (Romans 8:3–4).

Related Biblical Themes

Clean and unclean animals – Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14

Holiness of God’s people – Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 1:15–16

External symbols, inward reality – Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 23:25–28

Freedom in Christ and responsible liberty – Romans 14:14–21; Galatians 5:13

הָאַרְנֶ֗בֶת הָאַרְנֶ֨בֶת הארנבת hā’arneḇeṯ hā·’ar·ne·ḇeṯ haarNevetInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts