From: "JP van de Giessen" <vdgiessen AT solcon.nl>
To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [b-hebrew] Isa 13:22 Jackal or Crocodile
Date: Mon, 29 Aug 2011 10:30:35 +0200
In modern translations of Isaiah 13:22 ṯannîm is translated as Jackals while
in older translations as Dragons. Is there a specific reason for Jackal. Is it
possible to translate instead of "dragon" ie. a "reptile", which could be a
crocodile.
This verse is about Babel and in the 2 rivers Euphrates and Tigris there are
crocodiles like the Crocodylus palustris which has the habit to live and hunt
on land. Further I've seen several reports this crocodile lived in desolated
cities. So is it possible to translate ṯannîm in this verse with crocodile?