Encyclopedia entry
Lizard
Only in Lev. 11:30, as rendering of Hebrew letaah, so called from its “hiding.” Supposed to be the Lacerta gecko or fan-foot lizard, from the toes of which poison exudes. (See CHAMELEON.)
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
(that which clings to the ground) (Heb. letaah . (Leviticus 11:30) Lizards of various kinds abound in Egypt, Palestine and Arabia. The lizard denoted by the Hebrew word is probably the fan-foot lizard (Ptyodactylus gecko) which is common in Egypt and in parts of Arabia, and perhaps is found also in Palestine. It is reddish brown spotted with white. The gecko lives on insects and worms, which it swallows whole. It derives its name from the peculiar sound which some of the species utter.
In the Bible
3
Verses where Lizard is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- Leviticus 11:29
The following creatures that move along the ground are unclean for you: the mole, the mouse, any kind of great lizard,
- Leviticus 11:30
the gecko, the monitor lizard, the common lizard, the skink, and the chameleon.
- Proverbs 30:28
and the lizard can be caught in one’s hands, yet it is found in the palaces of kings.
Scripture on Lizard
2
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.