| Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One of several small, swift, elegantly formed species of antelope, of the genus Gazella, esp. G. dorcas; -- called also algazel, corinne, korin, and kevel. The gazelles are celebrated for the luster and soft expression of their eyes. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia GAZELLE ga-zel' (tsebhi, and feminine tsebhiyah; compare Tabeitha (Acts 9:36), and Arabic zabi; also Arabic ghazal; Dorkas (Acts 9:36); modern Greek zarkadi):
The word "gazelle" does not occur in the King James Version, where tsebhi and tsebhiyah, in the 16 passages where they occur, are uniformly translated "roe" or "roebuck." In the Revised Version (British and American) the treatment is not uniform. We find "gazelle" without comment in Deuteronomy 12:15, 22; Deuteronomy 14:5; Deuteronomy 15:22 1 Kings 4:23. We find "roe," with marginal note "or gazelle," in Proverbs 6:5 Songs 2:7, 9, 17; Songs 4:5; Songs 8:14 Isaiah 13:14. We find "roe" without comment in 2 Samuel 2:18 1 Chronicles 12:8; Songs 3:5; Songs 7:3. In the last passage cited, Songs 7:3, while the American Standard Revised Version has no note, the English Revised Version refers to Songs 4:5, where "gazelle" is graven in the margin. In the opinion of the writer, the rendering should be "gazelle" in all of these passages. It must be acknowledged, however, that the gazelle and the roe-deer are of about the same size, and are sometimes confused with each other. The Greek dorkas may refer to either, and in Syria the roe-deer is sometimes called ghazal or even wa`l, which is the proper name of the Persian wild goat.
The gazelle is an antelope belonging to the bovine family of the even-toed ruminants. There are more than twenty species of gazelle, all belonging to Asia and Africa. The species found in Syria and Palestine is the Dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas). It is 2 ft. high at the shoulders. Both sexes have unbranched, lyrate, ringed horns, which may be a foot long. The general coloration is tawny, but it is creamy white below and on the rump, and has a narrow white line from above the eye to the nostril. Several varieties have been distinguished, but they will not bear elevation to the rank of species, except perhaps Gazelle merilli a form of which a few specimens have been obtained from the Judean hills, having distinctly different horns from those of the common gazelle. The gazelle is found singly or in small groups on the interior plains and the uplands, but not in the high mountains. It is a marvel of lightness and grace, and a herd, when alarmed, makes off with great rapidity over the roughest country (2 Samuel 2:18 1 Chronicles 12:8 Proverbs 6:5 Songs 8:14). The beauty of the eyes is proverbial. The skin is used for floor coverings, pouches or shoes, and the flesh is eaten, though not highly esteemed.
See DEER; GOAT; ZOOLOGY.
Alfred Ely Day |  | Multi-Version Concordance Gazelle (12 Occurrences) Deuteronomy 12:15 Notwithstanding, you may kill and eat flesh within all your gates, after all the desire of your soul, according to the blessing of Yahweh your God which he has given you: the unclean and the clean may eat of it, as of the gazelle, and as of the hart. (WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS RSV NIV) Deuteronomy 12:22 Even as the gazelle and as the hart is eaten, so you shall eat of it: the unclean and the clean may eat of it alike. (WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS RSV NIV) Deuteronomy 14:5 the hart, and the gazelle, and the roebuck, and the wild goat, and the ibex, and the antelope, and the chamois. (WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS RSV NIV) Deuteronomy 15:22 You shall eat it within your gates: the unclean and the clean shall eat it alike, as the gazelle, and as the hart. (WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS RSV NIV) 2 Samuel 2:18 The three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild gazelle. (WEB DBY NAS RSV NIV) Proverbs 6:5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. (WEB JPS DBY NAS RSV NIV) Song of Songs 2:9 My beloved is like a gazelle or a young hart. Behold, he standeth behind our wall, He looketh in through the windows, Glancing through the lattice. (DBY JPS NAS RSV NIV) Song of Songs 2:17 Until the day dawn, and the shadows flee away. Turn, my beloved: be thou like a gazelle or a young hart, Upon the mountains of Bether. (DBY JPS NAS RSV NIV) Song of Songs 4:5 Thy two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle, Which feed among the lilies. (DBY JPS NAS RSV NIV) Song of Songs 7:3 Thy two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle; (DBY JPS NAS RSV NIV) Song of Songs 8:14 Come away, my beloved! Be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices! (WEB JPS DBY NAS RSV NIV) Isaiah 13:14 It will happen that like a a hunted gazelle, and like sheep that no one gathers, they will each turn to their own people, and will each flee to their own land. (WEB JPS NAS RSV NIV) |
