Bible Dictionaries
Hedgehog (2)

Holman Bible Dictionary

NAS, NRSV translation of the Hebrew quippod , a term of uncertain meaning (Isaiah 14:23; Isaiah 34:11; Zephaniah 2:14 ). The term either refers to the hedgehog (or porcupine) or else to a type of bird. The decision of the NAS and RSV translators was based on the supposed Hebrew root qpd (meaning to roll up, which is what hedgehogs do when frightened) and on cognate Arabic and Syriac words referring to hedgehogs and porcupines. Other English versions follow the KJV in seeing a reference to a type of bird. Context favors a reference to a bird. Various identities of the bird have been proposed: bittern, a nocturnal heron (KJV); owl, screech owl (NIV); owl (TEV); bustard, a game bird (REB).