The hyrax, because it chews the cud but doesn’t have a parted hoof, is unclean to you.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 5. The cherogrillus. Some suppose it to be the rabbit, others the hedge-hog: S. Jerom intimates that it is another kind of animal common in Palestine, which lives in the holes of rocks, or in the earth. We choose here, as also in the names of several other creatures that follow, (which are little known in this part of the world) to keep the Greek or Latin names. Challoner. Bochart (Hierozoicon) may be consulted on this subject. He supposes, that the Hebrew shaphan, denotes the Arabian rat called aliarbuho. But the Jews themselves are ignorant of many of these animals. Calmet.—Both choiros and grullos, signify swine. The porcupine, or the bear-mouse of Palestine, may be meant. Menochius.
or rock badger, or cony