First, what is hyrax and where is it in the Bible? Second, (and more importantly) what is the significance?
I asked ChatGPT about the small mammal that lives (hides) in the rocks. The response is here:
The animal you’re referring to is the hyrax, also known as the coney or rock badger in some Bible translations.
✅ The verse in Proverbs:
Proverbs 30:26 (ESV):
“the rock badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the cliffs;”
Other translations may say:
- “conies” (KJV)
- “hyraxes” (NIV, NRSV)
- “badgers” (some paraphrases)
🔍 Additional details:
- The hyrax is a small, rabbit-sized mammal native to the Middle East and Africa.
- It has weak physical defenses, so it survives by hiding in rocky crags and living in tight-knit groups.
- It’s often used in biblical wisdom literature as a picture of wisdom, not strength—a theme found in Proverbs 30.
✨ Related verse:
You’ll also find the hyrax mentioned in Psalm 104:18:
“The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the conies.” (KJV)
The Significance
God is our rock. In Him we take refuge and find shelter and safety. We are, in fact, weak, like the hyrax. To survive we need to take refuge in the Rock.
🪨 Verses where God is called a Rock:
- Psalm 18:2 (ESV)
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
- Deuteronomy 32:4
“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.”
- Psalm 62:6
“He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.”
- 1 Samuel 2:2
“There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.”
