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Bible Dictionaries
Hunting
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
or HUNTING is not conspicuous in the literature of the Hebrews that remains to us. We may probably infer that it did not bulk largely in their life. As an amusement, it seems to belong to a more advanced stage of civilization than they had reached. The typical hunter was found outside their borders ( Genesis 10:9 ). Esau, skilful in the chase , is depicted as somewhat uncouth and simple ( Genesis 25:27 etc.). Not till the time of Herod do we hear of a king achieving excellence in this form of sport (Jos. [Note: Josephus.] BJ I. xxi. 13). Wild animals and birds were, however, appreciated as food ( Leviticus 17:13 , 1 Samuel 26:20 etc.); and in a country like Palestine, abounding in beasts and birds of prey, some proficiency in the huntsman’s art was necessary in order to secure the safety of the community, and the protection of the flocks. Among these ‘evil beasts’ lions and bears were the most dangerous ( Genesis 37:33 , 1Ki 13:24 , 2 Kings 2:24 , Proverbs 28:15 etc.). Deeds of prowess in the slaughter of such animals by Samson in self-defence ( Judges 14:6 ), David the shepherd to rescue his charges ( 1 Samuel 17:34 ), and Benaiah ( 2 Samuel 23:20 ) gained for these men abiding fame. H. P. Smith ( Samuel, in loc .) would read of Benaiah: ‘He used to go down and smite the lions in the pit on snowy days,’ when he could track them easily. The difficulty is that snowy days would be rather few to permit of his making a reputation in this way.
Among the animals hunted for food were the gazelle, the hart, the roebuck, and the wild goat (Deuteronomy 12:15; Deuteronomy 12:22; Deuteronomy 14:5 etc.). The first three are mentioned specially as furnishing the table of Solomon ( 1 Kings 4:23 ). The partridge was perhaps the bird chiefly hunted in ancient times, as it is at the present day ( 1 Samuel 26:20 ). Neither beast nor bird might be eaten unless the blood had been ‘poured out’ ( Leviticus 17:13 , Deuteronomy 12:16 etc.) a law still observed by the Moslems.
Little information is given in Scripture as to the methods followed by the huntsmen. The hunting dog is not mentioned; but it is familiar to Josephus ( Ant . VI. viii. 9). The following implements were in use, viz.: the bow and arrow ( Genesis 27:3 etc.), the club ( Job 41:29 ), nets ( Job 19:6 , Psalms 9:16 , Isaiah 51:20 etc.), pits, in which there might be a net, dug and concealed to entrap the larger animals ( Psalms 9:15 , Ezekiel 19:8 etc.), the sling ( 1 Samuel 17:40 ), the snare of the fowler ( Psalms 64:5; Psalms 91:3; Psalms 124:7 ). The tame partridge in a cage was used as a decoy ( Sir 11:30 ). The modern Syrian is not greatly addicted to hunting. Occasional raids are made upon the bears on Mt. Hermon. To the scandal of Jew and Moslem, Christians sometimes hunt the wild boar in the Huleh marshes, and in the thickets beyond Jordan. See also Nets, Snares, etc.
W. Ewing.
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Hastings, James. Entry for 'Hunting'. Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hdb/h/hunting.html. 1909.
