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<\/a>They are pronounced exotics for which various synonyms have circulated over the course of history. The Latin name Procavia<\/em> suggests a relationship with the guinea pig; their Greek name hyrax<\/em> also denotes the shrew. In the LXX they are rendered once as choirogryllios<\/em> (Lev 11:6) and another time as dasypous<\/em> (Deut 14:7), both of which designate the hare. Luther translates \u00abrabbit\u00bb, and other German Bibles render \u00abrock badger\u00bb or \u00abmarmot\u00bb. From a biological classification standpoint, however, all these names are misleading, because the order of hyraxes (Hyracoidea<\/em>) is genetically far removed from rodents such as mice, marmots, hares, and rabbits, and even farther removed from carnivores like the badger. Anyone who wants to represent all organisms in a single \u00abtree of life\u00bb will find little joy in this oddity and must assign it to an outer group with other eccentrics. From today\u2019s perspective, the elephant and the manatee (!) are the closest relatives of the hyrax. How these rather different forms are supposed to have diverged from one another in relatively short geological time, however, remains a mystery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shaphan<\/em> (24\u00d7) also occurs as a personal name. An important Judean government official at the time of King Josiah bore this name, and he is mentioned several times later because his descendants likewise held high offices. In 2Kgs 22:14, mouse (Akbor<\/em>), mole rat (Huldah<\/em>), and rock hyrax (Shaphan<\/em>) occur as names in a single verse \u2013 as if that had been fashionable at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The distinctive biological status mentioned above manifests itself in many ways. Rock hyraxes occur only where suitable rocks with crevices and caves are present \u2013 similar to marmots. They feed exclusively on plants and have separate ruminant stomachs, which is why they were counted among the ungulates until the nineteenth century. In the twentieth century they were removed from that group again, together with elephants and manatees, and declared near-ungulates (Paenungulata<\/em>). Their social behavior resembles that of meerkats, and their appearance (here one must agree with Luther) that of rabbits \u2013 with a split upper lip, nibbling movements, and fluffy fur. Regarding their continuously growing \u00abtusks\u00bb, however, they resemble elephants, hippopotamuses, pigs, and other animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the dietary laws they are declared unclean (Lev 11:5; Deut 14:7), which made them of no interest as game. But that is not all: two further verses bring something remarkable to light. In the book of Proverbs, Agur describes four kinds of animals that he calls \u00abthe little ones of the earth\u00bb, which, though inconspicuous, are \u00abexceedingly wise\u00bb (Prov 30:24). Of the rock hyraxes it says: \u00aba people not mighty, yet they make their home in the rocks\u00bb (Prov 30:26). Many interpreters have understood this verse to mean that the wisdom of the rock hyrax consists in building its dwelling on the rocks. This was then readily linked with the \u00abwise builder\u00bb (Mt 7:24). But if one studies the habits of these animals, it becomes clear that this interpretation is far-fetched and that a more accurate translation would be: \u00abthey live among the rocks\u00bb (cf. Contemporary English Version, CEV). The rock hyrax builds nothing on the rocks \u2013 indeed, it can neither build nor dig, for its feet, which anatomically are actually hooves, are not suited for that at all. Instead, at night it seeks shelter in the crevices and caves between and beneath the rocks, as is aptly described elsewhere: \u00abThe high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers\u00bb (Ps 104:18). This skillful hiding may have given it its name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is astonishing about the way of life of rock hyraxes is that in their barren environment they operate with a very efficient energy metabolism. They spend less than an hour a day foraging for food. This works for three reasons: first, they are inactive and asleep for most of the day, which is why the Boers in South Africa call them \u00abslaper\u00bb (sleeper). Second, while doing so they lie on bare rock in blazing sunshine and let themselves be warmed; and third, they have a strongly fluctuating body temperature and drop into a kind of \u00abhibernation\u00bb every night in their cool caves. Agur marvels that they spend virtually the entire day on the rock \u2013 that is, without cover \u2013 although they are completely defenseless (and not particularly fast either). Why can these appetizing layabouts afford to doze in the sun all day under the hungry eyes of circling birds of prey, stalking big cats, and dangerous snakes?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Several adaptations are required for this: first, some animals are always on watch while the others sleep. Second, the sentinels can specify very precisely, with different calls, what kind of threat is approaching and from which direction; and finally, they possess a brilliant device that is unique in this form: the eye of the rock hyrax has an additional sunshade (umbraculum<\/em>) that slides protectively over the pupil in strong light. As a result, the sentinel can look directly into the blazing sun and detect approaching birds of prey. Part of their proven hunting strategy is to attack in a dive with the high sun behind them. In doing so, their profile is smallest, the shadow hardly moves on the ground, and their prey is dazzled by the sun \u2013 except with the rock hyrax, where this does not work! When the alarm sounds, the sunbathing is abruptly interrupted and the entire colony disappears in a few leaps into their \u00abair-raid shelters\u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The special light-protection mechanism of the rock hyrax is not mentioned in the Bible, but it illustrates what happens spiritually to people at regeneration. They can suddenly \u00abwith unveiled face behold the glory of the Lord\u00bb (2Cor 3:18). Moses already asked God: \u00abPlease show me your glory!\u00bb, but had to hear: \u00abYou cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live\u00bb (Ex 33:18,20). But in the Lord Jesus, \u00abwho is the image of the invisible God\u00bb (Col 1:15), exactly that became possible: \u00abNo one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is himself God and lives in closest fellowship with the Father, has made him known\u00bb (Joh 1:18). That is why He could answer His disciple Philip, who voiced a similar wish to Moses: \u00abWhoever has seen me has seen the Father\u00bb (Joh 14:9). If people do not believe the message of Jesus, \u00abthey cannot see the bright light of the gospel \u2013 the light in which Christ shines, who is the image of God\u00bb (2Cor 4:4). Only when a person turns around and God \u2013 the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit \u2013 comes to dwell in him (cf. Joh 14:18,20,23) does he step of his own accord into the light (Joh 3:20,21). \u00abFor God, who said, \u201cLet light shine out of darkness,\u201d has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ\u00bb (2Cor 4:6) \u2013 and we rejoice: \u00abFor with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light\u00bb (Ps 36:9).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sources:<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Brown KJ; Downs, CT: Basking behaviour in the rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) during winter<\/em>. African Zoology 2007; 42(1):70-79; doi: 10.1080\/15627020.2007.11407379<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>