CONEY kō’ ni (שָׁפָנ֒, H9176; coney KJV, ASV; badger, rock badger. There is nothing to confirm the RSV tr. badger). A true badger and a honey badger are found in this area, but their habits do not fit the Biblical passages (see below), nor could either be called “a feeble folk” (KJV), “a people not mighty” (RSV Prov 30:26). All authorities agree that this is the Syrian rock hyrax, known frequently and correctly as coney; the former is preferred, for the latter has had various meanings. Originally it came from a Middle English word for rabbit; this is now obsolete generally but still used for the fur and in heraldry. Before the end of the 16th cent, when merchants began calling at S Africa on the way from India, it was being applied to the Cape Dassie or Hyrax. It is just possible that the Biblical tr. intended coney to refer to hyrax; more prob. its true identity was unknown and it is only in more recent years that the Biblical coney has been shown clearly to be the hyrax. Each of the contexts is of interest (Lev 11:5 and Deut 14:7), “chews the cud but does not part the hoof.” The hyrax spends much time chewing with a cross-wise movement of the jaws, suggestive of ruminating, but its feet are unique, with soft pads ideal for jumping on rock (Ps 104:18, “the rocks are a refuge”; Prov 30:26, “their homes in the rocks”). They are properly called rock hyraxes for they are unwilling to venture far from a safe crevice into which they can dash at the least alarm. They are members of a small family found only in Africa and some parts of SW Asia; apart from one species that has taken to the trees in the tropical forest, all are rock dwellers, where they are amazingy agile and sure-footed.

Although rabbit-sized they are quite unlike rabbits in anatomy and are classified near the elephants. The species often seen in zoos is the Syrian rock hyrax that Solomon clearly knew well. The general color is gray-brown, with a yellowish patch on the back surrounding a surface gland. These hyraxes live in loose colonies which feed at intervals during the day, taking a range of vegetable matter but mostly leaves. It is not clear why they are forbidden as food, for although the Arabs consider the meat tough and dry, these animals are eagerly hunted in parts of Africa. With the increase in human population the Syrian hyrax is less common than it was but there are still places in Upper Galilee where it can be seen regularly from the road.

Bibliography E. P. Walker, Mammals of the World, Vol. II (1964).