Strong's Hebrew: 7776. שׁוּעָל (shual) -- Fox
Strong's Lexicon
shual: Fox
Original Word: שׁוּעָל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: shuw`al
Pronunciation: shoo-ahl'
Phonetic Spelling: (shoo-awl')
Definition: Fox
Meaning: a jackal
Word Origin: From an unused root meaning to hollow out or burrow
Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Greek equivalent in Strong's Concordance, the Greek word "ἀλώπηξ" (alōpēx, Strong's G258) is used in the New Testament to refer to a fox, as seen in Luke 13:32.
Usage: The Hebrew word "shual" refers to a fox, a small carnivorous mammal known for its cunning and stealth. In the Bible, foxes are often used metaphorically to describe sly or destructive behavior. The term is used both literally, to describe the animal, and figuratively, to convey characteristics associated with foxes.
Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israel, foxes were common in the countryside and were known for their cunning nature. They were often seen as nuisances, as they could destroy vineyards and crops. The imagery of foxes in the Bible often carries negative connotations, symbolizing deceit, destruction, and cunning. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, the presence of foxes would have been a familiar and unwelcome challenge for farmers and vineyard keepers.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
fox, perhaps jackal
NASB Translation
fox (1), foxes (6).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. שׁוּעָל noun masculineSong of Solomon 2:15 fox, perhaps also jackal; — absolute ׳שׁ Nehemiah 3:25; plural שׁוּעָלִים Judges 15:4 +, ׳שֻׁ Ezekiel 13:4; Songs 2:15 b; — fox (probably) Nehemiah 3:25; Songs 2:15 (twice in verse); perhaps (from large number) jackal Judges 15:4; as haunting ruins Ezekiel 13:4; Lamentations 5:18; eating offal Psalm 63:11.
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
fox
Or shunal {shoo-awl'}; from the same as sho'al; a jackal (as a burrower) -- fox.
see HEBREW sho'al
Forms and Transliterations
כְּשֻׁעָלִ֖ים כשעלים שֻׁעָלִ֣ים שֽׁוּעָלִ֔ים שֽׁוּעָלִ֥ים שׁוּעָ֔ל שׁוּעָלִ֑ים שׁוּעָלִ֖ים שועל שועלים שעלים kə·šu·‘ā·lîm keshuaLim kəšu‘ālîm shuAl shuaLim šū‘āl šu‘ālîm šū‘ālîm šu·‘ā·lîm šū·‘ā·lîm šū·‘āl
Links
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Englishman's Concordance
Judges 15:4
HEB: שְׁלֹשׁ־ מֵא֣וֹת שׁוּעָלִ֑ים וַיִּקַּ֣ח לַפִּדִ֗ים
NAS: three hundred foxes, and took torches,
KJV: hundred foxes, and took
INT: three hundred foxes and took torches
Nehemiah 4:3
HEB: אִם־ יַעֲלֶ֣ה שׁוּעָ֔ל וּפָרַ֖ץ חוֹמַ֥ת
NAS: if a fox should jump
KJV: Even that which they build, if a fox go up,
INT: should jump A fox break wall
Psalm 63:10
HEB: חָ֑רֶב מְנָ֖ת שֻׁעָלִ֣ים יִהְיֽוּ׃
NAS: They will be a prey for foxes.
KJV: they shall be a portion for foxes.
INT: of the sword prey foxes become
Songs 2:15
HEB: אֶֽחֱזוּ־ לָ֙נוּ֙ שֽׁוּעָלִ֔ים שֽׁוּעָלִ֥ים קְטַנִּ֖ים
NAS: Catch the foxes for us, The little
KJV: Take us the foxes, the little foxes,
INT: Catch the foxes foxes the little
Songs 2:15
HEB: לָ֙נוּ֙ שֽׁוּעָלִ֔ים שֽׁוּעָלִ֥ים קְטַנִּ֖ים מְחַבְּלִ֣ים
NAS: for us, The little foxes that are ruining
KJV: the little foxes, that spoil
INT: Catch the foxes foxes the little are ruining
Lamentations 5:18
HEB: צִיּוֹן֙ שֶׁשָּׁמֵ֔ם שׁוּעָלִ֖ים הִלְּכוּ־ בֽוֹ׃
NAS: lies desolate, Foxes prowl
KJV: which is desolate, the foxes walk
INT: Zion lies Foxes prowl
Ezekiel 13:4
HEB: כְּשֻׁעָלִ֖ים בָּחֳרָב֑וֹת נְבִיאֶ֥יךָ
NAS: have been like foxes among ruins.
KJV: thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.
INT: foxes ruins your prophets