leopard

Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

(lion-panther). This fierce, spotted beast of the cat species once found in Jordan jungles (Jer. 13:23²³Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. (Jeremiah 13:23); Dan. 7:6⁶After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. (Daniel 7:6); Song of Sol. 4:8⁸Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards. (Song of Solomon 4:8)).

Concise Bible Dictionary:

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The Hebrew word, namer, signifies a “spotted” animal. This well-known wild animal is introduced by the prophet as an illustration: as the leopard cannot change its spots, no more can rebellious man change his nature (Jer. 13:23²³Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. (Jeremiah 13:23)). The leopard is also represented as lying in wait and watching its prey, and acting with swiftness (Jer. 5:6⁶Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased. (Jeremiah 5:6); Hos. 13:7⁷Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them: (Hosea 13:7); Hab. 1:8⁸Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat. (Habakkuk 1:8)). The Grecian kingdom was compared to a leopard with four wings (Dan. 7:6⁶After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. (Daniel 7:6)); and it answered to this in the rapidity of its conquests. The future Roman empire is symbolically likened to a leopard, but having the feet of a bear, and the mouth of a lion: that is, like no known beast, but symbolically uniting the characteristics of the three former powers (Rev. 13:2²And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. (Revelation 13:2)). In the millennium “the leopard shall lie down with the kid” (Isa. 11:6⁶The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. (Isaiah 11:6)). The common leopard is the Leopardus varius.

Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew Words:

Number:

5246 (find all occurrences in KJV Bible)

Transliteration:

namer

Phonic:

naw-mare’

Meaning:

from an unused root meaning properly, to filtrate, i.e. be limpid (comp 5247 and 5249); and thus to spot or stain as if by dripping; a leopard (from its stripes)

KJV Usage:

leopard