Bible Dictionaries
Jackal

Holman Bible Dictionary

Golden jackal (Canis aureus ), a yellow-coated, carnivorous mammal resembling the wolf but considerably smaller (34-37 inches, including tail of about one foot) with a shorter tail and ears. KJV translated the term for jackal as either dragon (Isaiah 13:22; Nehemiah 2:13 ) or sea monster (Lamentations 4:3 ). Jackals are nocturnal. They hunt either alone, in pairs, or in packs. By hunting in packs, jackals have taken down large antelope. This reputation accounts for the horror of one abandoned to jackals (Psalm 44:19 ). Jackals eat small mammals, birds, fruits, vegetables, and carrion (compare Psalm 63:10 ). They are infamous for their distinctive. nighttime wailing (Job 30:28-31; Micah 1:8 ). Most biblical references associate jackals with desert ruins. For a city or nation to be made the haunt or lair of jackals is for it to be utterly destroyed (Isaiah 13:22; Isaiah 34:13; Jeremiah 9:11; Jeremiah 10:22; Jeremiah 49:33; Jeremiah 50:39; Jeremiah 51:37; Lamentations 5:18; Malachi 1:3 ). See Dragon; Foxes; Animals in the Bible.