Topical Bible: Field-mouse

Topical Encyclopedia

The term "field-mouse" does not appear explicitly in the Bible; however, the concept of small rodents, which could include field mice, is present in the biblical text. In the context of the ancient Near East, field mice were common and would have been familiar to the people of Israel. These small creatures are often associated with agricultural settings, where they could be both a nuisance and a symbol of desolation.

Biblical References and Context

While the Bible does not specifically mention field mice, it does refer to "mice" in a few passages. One notable reference is found in 1 Samuel 6:4-5, where the Philistines, after capturing the Ark of the Covenant, are afflicted with a plague. In their attempt to appease the God of Israel, they create golden images of the tumors and mice that were ravaging their land:

"So they asked, 'What guilt offering should we send back to Him?' And they replied, 'Five gold tumors and five gold mice—according to the number of the Philistine rulers—because the same plague has struck both you and your rulers. Make images of your tumors and of the mice that are destroying the land, and give glory to the God of Israel. Perhaps He will lift His hand from you and your gods and your land.'" (1 Samuel 6:4-5)

This passage suggests that mice were seen as destructive pests, capable of causing significant damage to crops and property. The inclusion of mice in the guilt offering underscores their role in the calamity that befell the Philistines.

Symbolism and Cultural Significance

In the biblical narrative, mice can symbolize destruction and divine judgment. Their presence in the land of the Philistines is indicative of the broader theme of God's sovereignty and the consequences of opposing His will. The destructive nature of mice, particularly in agricultural societies, would have been a powerful image for the original audience, highlighting the vulnerability of human endeavors without divine favor.

Dietary Laws and Cleanliness

The Mosaic Law, as outlined in Leviticus, includes specific dietary restrictions that classify certain animals as unclean. While mice are not explicitly mentioned in the list of unclean animals, they would fall under the category of creatures that "creep on the ground," which are deemed unclean:

"Of all the creatures that move along the ground, these are unclean for you: the weasel, the rat, any kind of great lizard..." (Leviticus 11:29)

This classification would have implications for the Israelites' understanding of cleanliness and purity, reinforcing the separation between the holy and the profane.

Agricultural Impact

In an agrarian society like ancient Israel, field mice would have been a common concern for farmers. Their ability to consume and destroy crops posed a significant threat to food security and economic stability. The presence of mice in the biblical text serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by those who worked the land and the need for divine protection and provision.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not provide extensive information on field mice specifically, the references to mice in general offer insight into their symbolic and practical significance in the biblical world. These small creatures serve as a reminder of the broader themes of divine judgment, human vulnerability, and the need for reliance on God's providence.

Library

Book 5 Footnotes
... [2] Spanheim informs us here, that upon the coins of Tenedos, and those of other
cities, a field-mouse is engraven, together with Apollo Smintheus, or Apollo ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 5 footnotes.htm

Ancestors of the Blessed virgin
... she had seen, which she called star-flower ', and he identified it as Cerastium
arvense linnaei or Holosteum caryophylleum veterum (Field Mouse-ear Chickweed). ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/i ancestors of the blessed.htm

Thesaurus

Field-mouse (1 Occurrence)
Field-mouse. Field-fly, Field-mouse. Fields . Multi-Version
Concordance Field-mouse (1 Occurrence). Leviticus 11:29 ...
/f/field-mouse.htm - 6k

Lizard (3 Occurrences)
... It is of course untenable if 'anaqah is "gecko," but (see FERRET) the writer thinks
it quite possible that 'anaqah may mean the shrew or field-mouse, which is ...
/l/lizard.htm - 16k

Gecko (1 Occurrence)
... gek'-o (the Revised Version (British and American) for 'anaqah, only in Leviticus
11:30; Septuagint mugale, "shrew mouse" or "fieldmouse"; the King James ...
/g/gecko.htm - 7k

Ferret (1 Occurrence)
... differing. For 'anaqah, Septuagint has mugale, which occurs in Herodotus
and Aristotle and may be a shrew mouse or a fieldmouse. ...
/f/ferret.htm - 11k

Field-fly (2 Occurrences)
Field-fly. Field, Field-fly. Field-mouse . Multi-Version Concordance
Field-fly (2 Occurrences). ... (BBE). Field, Field-fly. Field-mouse . Reference
/f/field-fly.htm - 7k

Crawling (20 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 11:29 And these shall be unclean unto you among the crawling things which
crawl on the earth: the mole, and the field-mouse, and the lizard, after ...
/c/crawling.htm - 12k

Crawl (5 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 11:29 And these shall be unclean unto you among the crawling things which
crawl on the earth: the mole, and the field-mouse, and the lizard, after ...
/c/crawl.htm - 8k

Mole (2 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 11:29 And these shall be unclean unto you among the crawling things which
crawl on the earth: the mole, and the field-mouse, and the lizard, after ...
/m/mole.htm - 12k

Resources

What is Irreducible Complexity? | GotQuestions.org

How did Judas die? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of the cave of Machpelah? | GotQuestions.org

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