The hyrax (also called a coney or rock badger) is a rodent-like creature mentioned at least four times in the Bible and still common in certain regions of Africa and the Middle East. I caught a picture of this one a few years ago while visiting En-Gedi on the western Shore of the Dead Sea.
It’s a strange little creature for a number of reasons. From a distance it looks like a well fed guinea pig. Seen up close (below left) its incisors are long giving it an intimidating look. Yet, based on DNA similarities and some other unusual features, some scientists believe it is the closest living relative to an elephant. Not all scientists agree– which doesn’t surprise me :-).
Because they don’t have a good thermostat for controlling body temperature, hyraxes huddle together for warmth and are often spotted by travelers sunning themselves on the top of rocks like a reptile. The hyrax, however, is a herbivore, living off grass and leaves which explains why it can also be seen among the branches of bushes and small trees.
In the King James version of the Bible, the hyrax first shows up in the Old Testament as a “coney” in a discussion of clean and unclean food. By the food laws of Israel, the little guy isn’t Kosher because, according to Moses, even though it chews the cud, it does not have a separated hoof (Lev 11:5; Deut 14:7).
Interestingly, an online encyclopedia points out that conies don’t “chew the cud,” in the modern sense of the word. They do, however, have multi-chambered stomachs and a complex system of digestion, elimination, and re-ingesting that enables them to extract nutrients from their diet of coarse leaves and grass. This “recycling” of fermented waste apparently explains the biblical allusion to “cud-chewing.”
Yet, there are more appetizing reasons for thinking about the hyrax. The 104th Psalm begins with praise for the greatness of a God who has shown his care for all living creatures. In inspired poetry that delights in the provisions of the Creator verse 18 says, “The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies” (Psalm 104:18).Then among the Proverbs of Solomon, there is a simple statement which in King James language says, “The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks” (Prov 30:26).
In both the psalm and the proverb, the implications are clear: these weak little animals, so subject to predation and death, seek the temporary provisions and means of protection given to them by their Creator.
For all of the confusing aliases, strange qualities, family issues, and noteworthy weaknesses of the coney, the Bible uses it as an example of profound wisdom. It is the wisdom that David had in mind so long ago when he penned, “O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I will cry to you for help, for my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me” (Psalm 61:1-3).
Even more importantly, this refuge is personified and fulfilled in the One who died for us. According to the New Testament, those who take refuge in him are:
1. Hidden with Christ in God (Collossians 3:3).
2. Forgiven of our sins (Eph 1:7).
3. Given right relationship with God (2Cor 5:18).
4. Heirs together with him (Romans 8:17).
Without a doubt this is the ultimate rock of our refuge that the coney and the whole Bible allude to.
P.S. Just saw below comment from South Africa. Not necessary, of course, but if you care to add at the end of your comment either your continent, country, state, or region, sure adds interest to see how far our voices are traveling in this age of the Internet.
(+42 rating, 44 votes)
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