Hart (Ayyal)

Narrator: Chris Genthree
 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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Cervus Elaphus
A species of deer which is not now definitely known. Many suppose it to be the red deer, the Cervus elaphus. It was a clean animal, and was one supplied to Solomon’s table (Deut. 12:15,2215Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart. (Deuteronomy 12:15)
22Even as the roebuck and the hart is eaten, so thou shalt eat them: the unclean and the clean shall eat of them alike. (Deuteronomy 12:22); 1 Kings 4:2323Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl. (1 Kings 4:23)). Its desire for the water-brooks is used as a symbol of a soul’s panting after God (Psa. 42:11<<To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.>> As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. (Psalm 42:1)). The bride in the Song of Solomon compares the bridegroom to a young hart (Song of Sol. 2:9,179My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, showing himself through the lattice. (Song of Solomon 2:9)
17Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether. (Song of Solomon 2:17); Song of Sol. 8:1414Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices. (Song of Solomon 8:14)). In predicting God’s blessing upon Israel in a future day it is said, “the lame man shall leap as a hart” (Isa. 35:66Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. (Isaiah 35:6)). The deer are remarkable for their pleasing form, their graceful movements, and their great agility.