דִּישֹׁן
𐤃𐤉𐤔𐤍
dîyshôn
H1788 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A type of large, swift antelope, likely noted for its leaping or bounding movements; in biblical contexts, refers to a specific animal among those permitted for consumption, though the exact zoological identification is uncertain. The term appears in lists of ritually pure animals.
Semantic Range
a leaping or bounding antelope; a large, swift herbivorous animal; possibly the addax, oryx, or similar species; general term for a ritually clean hoofed mammal
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root דוש (d-w-sh), which means 'to tread, trample, thresh.' The noun form דִּישׁוֹן likely draws on the characteristic of leaping or swift movement, metaphorically linked to treading or trampling, referring to the animal's mode of locomotion. The zoological identification as 'pygarg' is a later tradition and not definitive.
Historical & Contextual Notes
דִּישׁוֹן occurs in lists of clean land animals (e.g., Deuteronomy 14:5), associated with animals permitted as food to the Israelites. The exact identity is unknown; suggested identifications include various large antelope species local to the Levant, such as the addax, oryx, or hartebeest. The Septuagint translates it as πυγάργος (pygargos), which also reflects uncertainty. In rabbinic tradition and medieval translations, it has often been equated with antelope-like animals, but specific species assignments remain speculative. English translations such as 'pygarg' are based on the Greek but do not clarify the animal's true nature. The term is distinct from other biblical terms for antelope or gazelle (e.g., צְבִי, אַנְטִילֹפְּה). There is no evidence that the term refers to a deer or other similar species found outside the region. The use of 'pygarg' in early English Bibles reflects reliance on the Septuagint rather than direct zoological knowledge.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from דּוּשׁ; the leaper, i.e. an antelope; pygarg.
Bantu Hebrew
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דוש (d-w-sh) — tread, trample, thresh
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1788-01 |
וְ/דִישֹׁ֖ן | vedishon | HC/Ncmsa |
and ibex | trampling antelope | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1788-01 |
Deuteronomy 14:5 | וְ/דִישֹׁ֖ן | vedishon | HC/Ncmsa |
and ibex | trampling antelope |