{"id":4481,"date":"2025-03-09T23:03:36","date_gmt":"2025-03-09T23:03:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/de\/?p=4481"},"modified":"2026-06-27T00:58:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T23:58:09","slug":"mouse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/mouse","title":{"rendered":"Mice and other Rodents"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Everywhere on earth the same rule applies: wherever humans settle, their companions \u2013 the \u00abfollowers of culture\u00bb \u2013 are never far away. Their most prominent representatives belong to the mouse-like rodents (Muroidea<\/em>) and to the genera of mice (Mus<\/em>) and rats (Rattus<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the spectrum of species among mouse-like rodents is broad and the Hebrew term akbar<\/em> (Lev 11:29; 1Sam 6:4.5.11.18; Isa 66:17) may possibly include additional small mammals, not all potentially relevant species are listed here. On the one hand, it is obvious that the enumeration of animals distinguished as clean and unclean in the biblical commandments has an exemplary character; on the other hand, it is scarcely possible to reconstruct how precisely individual species were differentiated at that time. The species index in the appendix provides a more detailed overview of the species occurring in Israel. They were so omnipresent that people assumed \u2013 indeed, even into the 17th century \u2013 that they could arise spontaneously at any time from wheat and old rags.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In any case, then as now, the house mouse (Mus musculus<\/em>), the black rat (Rattus rattus<\/em>), and the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus<\/em>) belonged to the population of every settlement. Their numbers can only be roughly estimated, but the house mouse and the brown rat are considered candidates for the title \u00abmost common mammal on earth\u00bb. They are very similar in body shape; a young rat looks like an adult mouse. In direct comparison one can observe that the rat has a longer tail and a larger head and paws. However, they avoid one another and are rarely found together. To the author\u2019s surprise, the two species are not linguistically distinguished in Portugal either but are grouped together as \u00abrato\u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rodents (Rodentia<\/em>), with about 2,600 species (corresponding to roughly 40%), are by far the largest order of mammals. Many of these (about 1,600) belong to the suborder of mouse-like rodents (Myomorpha<\/em>) and occur in the Near East. It is scarcely possible to reconstruct which species were distinguished in antiquity and what exactly was designated by the Hebrew word akbar<\/em>. Only the most widespread and best-known species are listed in the appendix. Where they live in immediate proximity to humans, they are unwelcome. Their gnawing and burrowing cause extensive damage; they reduce and spoil supplies and sometimes transmit dangerous diseases.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Three different men bear the name Akbor (7x), for which no other linguistic origin has been found than \u00abmouse\u00bb. Since in all three cases they are high-ranking personalities, the image of rats and mice may have been better than in our cultural context, where they are primarily regarded as pests. The name of the Asia Minor region Mysia (Acts 16:7.8) can, depending on linguistic origin, be translated as \u00abland of mice\u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Aristotle already wrote that through spontaneous generation of life (abiogenesis) putrid meat could turn into flies and wheat into mice. Through Johan Baptista van Helmont (1580\u20131644), who referred to this process as \u00abUrheb\u00bb, a concrete recipe has been handed down to us: \u00abIf one takes an unclean (women\u2019s) shirt and stuffs it into the bung of a barrel containing wheat, then within a few days [namely in three weeks] the shirt will acquire an Urheb \u2026 so that from it the wheat \u2026 is transformed into mice \u2026 not young or suckling ones \u2026 but fully formed mice spring forth.\u00bb That even a highly educated universal scholar of the late Renaissance advocated this \u00abUrheb theory\u00bb with serious conviction (and cited further examples) may be surprising. But one should be aware that for several decades now it has become clear that modern theories of the origin of life \u2013 recipes for primordial soup, pizza, or ice cream \u2013 are no less far-fetched.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mouse-like rodents are classified as unclean by the dietary law (Lev 11:29), and their consumption is forbidden. As with most unclean animals, from a nutritional perspective it is harmless to eat them \u2013 after heating. In many regions of the world, rats, mice, and other rodents enrich the diet; in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, parts of the Philippines and Indonesia, Thailand, Ghana, China, and Vietnam they even count among staple foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Crisply fried and piquantly seasoned! \u2013 They probably taste really good. Nevertheless, only a few readers will feel an appetite for rat skewers such as those offered here at the market of the Indonesian city of Remboken. This is, however, not a culinary or nutritional issue, but rather a cultural one.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u00abThey perform purification rites in order to gain access to the \u00abholy gardens\u00bb. There they sit around their master, eat pork, mice, and other unclean foods \u2026\u00bb (Isa 66:17) \u2013 In this description of an idolatrous festival ritual, the eating of mice is mentioned. To this day, no records have been found that could explain the background of this ceremony and the significance attributed to the mice within it. But in contrast to many other animals, for which theologians generally assume that they were taboo because of an association with the idol cults of neighboring peoples, in this case there is at least a biblical indication in that direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In the Karni Mata Temple of the small Indian town of Deshnok in Rajasthan, about 20,000 rats live and are regarded by Hindus as sacred animals. In is in \u2013 so long as they live in the temple, they are venerated like little deities, but outside the temple they are hunted as pests.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From a scientific perspective, the mention of mouse-like rodents in the book of Samuel is particularly interesting. The Israelites had taken the Ark of the Covenant from the Tabernacle and carried it onto the battlefield like a good-luck charm (1Sam 4:3\u20139). While they thus disregarded the holiness of God (1Sam 2:12\u201317), they had to learn that God cannot be instrumentalized. The Ark was captured by the Philistines and displayed as a trophy in their principal temple (1Sam 5:1\u20135). But the Ark of the Covenant brought no good fortune to them either. Not only was the image of their god Dagon shattered before it, they were also struck by a severe plague in which many people died (1Sam 5:6\u201312). The disease from which they died is described by swellings as an externally visible symptom and is associated with mice. Strictly speaking, these characteristics are sufficient to say that it was most likely an outbreak of bubonic plague.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Brown rats (Rattus norvegicus<\/em>) have a bad reputation and are mercilessly hunted almost everywhere. Nevertheless, they are nowhere threatened with extinction. These intelligent little animals are extremely adaptable and reproduce at an enormous rate. In some respects, too much has been attributed to them: the rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis<\/em>), through which the plague bacteria (Yersinia pestis<\/em>) are transmitted, can live on many different hosts \u2013 animals and humans. According to current understanding, the rat population did not play the principal role in the course of historical epidemics.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Until the beginning of the 21st century, however, almost all epidemiologists were certain that the plague was a relatively young disease that first appeared in AD 541. This view has since been completely revised, because the pathogen Yersinia pestis<\/em> could be traced back into early history on skeletons from many sites in Europe and Asia using genetic methods. The plague has therefore scourged humanity for at least 4,000 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A second objection \u2013 that \u00abmice\u00bb are mentioned here and not \u00abrats\u00bb \u2013 is likewise invalid. Not only because (as already explained) the linguistic distinction is doubtful, but also because it is now known that the various fleas that come into question as vectors feel at home on many rodents \u2013 certainly also on the run-of-the-mill house mouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A third objection concerns the expression that the mice \u00abdevastate the land\u00bb (1Sam 6:5). This could be understood to mean that another plague affecting agriculture (crop losses, burrowing and root damage) came through the mice. But the word erez<\/em> can denote not only the land or the soil, but also the population (e.g., Gen 41:57; 1Sam 14:25; Isa 37:18); and the preceding verse clearly states that it was a single plague (and not two different ones): \u00abFive golden swellings and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines; for one and the same plague has come upon you all and upon your lords\u00bb (1Sam 6:4).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Philistines had correctly recognized the connection between the mice and the epidemic (in contrast to medieval scholars, who entertained all manner of ideas) \u2013 but they were not yet entirely sure whether it was truly the God of Israel who stood behind it and chastised them, or whether it was merely a coincidental concurrence of events (1Sam 6:9). In any case, they were prepared to honor Him and to make a guilt offering. So that the foreign God would understand what this atoning gift was for, they formed their gold into mice and swellings, five of each, corresponding to the number of their administrative districts. Thus, alongside the calves, mice are accorded the honor of being cast in gold \u2013 in this case, however, with a good intention that God acknowledges. He allows their \u00abtest by chance\u00bb to succeed and accepts the offering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On closer inspection, it is astonishing how leniently God deals with the Philistines. The Ark of the Covenant was the holiest and most carefully guarded object of His temple service, a symbol of the presence of God, of His throne, and ultimately of the Lord Jesus Himself! It was not to be touched by anyone \u2013 indeed, not even to be seen! When dismantling the Tabernacle, priests took down the dividing veil at the entrance to the Most Holy Place and laid it, walking backward, over the Ark. Then a covering of porpoise skin was placed over it, and finally everything was wrapped in a blue cloth. Only then were the carrying poles inserted through the rings on the side. The bearers, who were not priests, were probably blindfolded as a precaution before entering and taking up the Ark, for they had to be led individually to their positions (cf. Num 4:4\u201320).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As the holiest object of the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant was neither to be seen nor touched. God chose as the place of His special presence in the Most Holy Place the space between the two angelic figures on its cover (Ex 25:22; Num 7:89). Therefore, the expression \u00abwho is enthroned between the cherubim\u00bb is used eight times as a title of God (1Sam 4:4; 2Sam 6:2; 2Kgs 19:15; 1Chr 13:6; Ps 80:2; 99:1; Isa 37:16; Ezek 10:2).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Now this most holy Ark of the Covenant, which was permitted to be carried only when properly packed by designated persons (Levites) on the prescribed poles, was seized by Philistine hands, placed uncovered on a cart beside a chest with the images of unclean mice and plague swellings. The Philistines did not know the priestly ceremonial laws and were therefore not held accountable by God for this sacrilege. This mitigating circumstance did not apply to the Israelites; among them there were many deaths when they shortly thereafter looked curiously into the Ark (1Sam 6:19), and even a man who, with the best of intentions but in disobedience to God\u2019s commandments, reached out for the Ark to prevent its fall had to die (2Sam 6:6.7; 1Chr 13:9.10).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If one considers how carefully God thus ensures that His holiness is accorded its due, it is all the more astonishing what He endured when His Son came to the earth. His forbearance and grace are far greater here. While the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant had \u00abonly\u00bb cultic and typological significance and function, the Lord Jesus was \u00abthe Holy One\u00bb (to hagion<\/em>; Lk 1:35) and God (Joh 1:1; 1John 5:20) in person. He was not only touched, but struck and scourged (Joh 19:1.3), seized and nailed to a wooden cross, not only looked upon but stripped (Joh 19:23) and gazed at with malicious delight (Ps 22:18). As the Pure One, He was not only surrounded by the unclean and, as the Righteous One, encircled by the unrighteous, but He identified Himself with this uncleanness and unrighteousness in order to be judged for it. Just as the Philistines formed a guilt offering in the image of their plagues \u2013 mice and plague swellings \u2013 so the Lord Jesus on the cross is seen as a guilt and sin offering in the image of \u00abthe serpent\u00bb (Joh 3:14) as a symbol of the curse of sin and is \u00abmade sin\u00bb (2Cor 5:21). Although many of His adversaries had gained a personal impression of His holiness and divinity, He asks that they not be held accountable for it: \u00abFather, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing!\u00bb (Lk 23:34).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sources<\/strong>:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bergman, J: Why Abiogenesis Is Impossible<\/em>. Creation Research Society 2000; 36(4); https:\/\/herbertarmstrong.org\/Miscellaneous\/Why%20Abiogenesis%20is%20Impossible.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fischer, L: Die Pest war vor 4000 Jahren viel ansteckender<\/em>. Spektrum.de, 01.06.2023; https:\/\/www.spektrum.de\/news\/die-pest-war-vor-4000-jahren-viel-ansteckender\/2146926<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gruber, K: Rodent meat \u2013 a sustainable way to feed the world?<\/em> EMBO reports 2016, 17(5):630-633; doi: 10.15252\/embr.201642306<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helmont, JBv: Aufgang der Artzney-Kunst<\/em> (p. 153, Rezept zur Herstellung von M\u00e4usen). Sulzbach 1683; https:\/\/www.digitale-sammlungen.de\/de\/view\/bsb10869856?page=193<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moise, E: How did Life Begin? A Review of the Environmental and Biomolecular Hypotheses Surrounding Abiogenesis<\/em>. Journal of Astrobiology & Outreach 2021; 9(5):129; https:\/\/www.ezyaccess.in\/image\/catalog\/issue\/2021\/J43\/2021\/Issue%20No%205\/1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rasmussen, S; Allentoft, ME; Nielsen, K: Early divergent strains of Yersinia pestis in Eurasia 5,000 Years Ago<\/em>. Cell 2015; 163(3):571-582; doi: 10.1016\/j.cell.2015.10.009<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swali, P; Schulting, R; Gilardet, A: Yersinia pestis genomes reveal plague in Britain 4000 years ago<\/em>. Nature Communications 2023; 14:2930; doi: 10.1038\/s41467-023-38393-w<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wilkinson, J: The Philistine Epidemic of I Samuel 5 and 6<\/em>. The Expository Times 1977; 88(5):137-141; doi: 10.1177\/001452467708800503<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Image Credits<\/strong>:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wikipedia: brown rat \/ Reg Mckenna \/\/ Ark of the Covenant \u2013 return by the Philistines \/ Internet Archive Book Images \/\/ house mouse \/ Amirekul<\/p>\n\n\n\n

other licenses: title \u2013 house mouse \/ shutterstock ID_2247188729 \/ Billion Photos \/\/ rat skewers \/ shutterstock ID_1342507817 \/ Laurens Hoddenbagh \/\/ rats in the Karni Mata Temple \/ shutterstock ID_793283260 \/ SandeshKumbhar \/\/ Ark of the Covenant \u2013 model \/ shutterstock ID_188754209 \/ 3drenderings<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Everywhere on earth the same rule applies: wherever humans settle, their companions \u2013 the \u00abfollowers of culture\u00bb \u2013 are never far away.
Their most prominent[\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4482,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"remove_blocks_before_content":false,"remove_blocks_after_content":false,"disable_reading_progress_bar":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[65],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4481","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-animals-of-the-field"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4481","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4481"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4481\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6148,"href":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4481\/revisions\/6148"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4482"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4481"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4481"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parquediscovery.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4481"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}