Lexical Summary akbar: Mouse Original Word: עַכְבָּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance mouse Probably from the same as akkabiysh in the secondary sense of attacking; a mouse (as nibbling) -- mouse. see HEBREW akkabiysh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a mouse NASB Translation mice (5), mouse (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עַכְבָּר noun masculine1Samuel 6:4 mouse (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic עַכְבְּרָא; Syriac (in Lexicons)  ,  (PS22); Arabic  plural mares murum Frey (Kam), compare also HomAs 338; Arabic of jerboa RSK 302; see TristrNHB 122 FFP10ff.); — absolute ׳הָע unclean Leviticus 11:29 (H), Isaiah 66:17 (compare RSSem i. 275, 2nd ed. 293); plural construct עַכְבְּרֵי (ה)זָהָב 1 Samuel 6:4,11,18; suffix צַלְמֵי עַכְבְּרֵיכֶם 1 Samuel 6:5. Topical Lexicon Creature Identification and Biblical Distribution The word appears six times, always denoting a small rodent, commonly rendered “mouse” or “rat.” References: Leviticus 11:29; 1 Samuel 6:4, 1 Samuel 6:5, 1 Samuel 6:11, 1 Samuel 6:18; Isaiah 66:17. Clean-Unclean Distinction (Leviticus 11:29) Under the dietary code the mouse is classed among “the creatures that move along the ground” and is declared unclean. The legislation protected Israel both physically and spiritually: physically by discouraging contact with vermin that commonly carry disease, and spiritually by reinforcing the call to be set apart from the surrounding nations whose cultic practices often involved unclean animals. The category reminds believers that holiness touches even the mundane choices of food and environment. Agent of Divine Judgment and Repentance (1 Samuel 6) The Philistines captured the Ark, and the LORD struck them with a dual affliction: tumors and an infestation of rodents. In response the Philistine diviners counseled, “Make images of your tumors and of the mice that are ravaging the land, and give glory to the God of Israel” (1 Samuel 6:5). Five golden rodents, one for each lord of Philistia, accompanied the Ark as a guilt offering. The episode underscores several truths: Symbol of Idolatry and Apostasy (Isaiah 66:17) In the closing oracle of Isaiah, those who “consecrate and purify themselves, to enter the groves following their priestess, eating the flesh of pigs and rats and other abominable things” are condemned. The consumption of the unclean rodent becomes a marker of rebellion against God’s covenant. The context is eschatological, reminding readers that final judgment will differentiate between genuine worshippers and those who mix syncretistic rites with self-made sanctity. Historical and Cultural Notes Rodent plagues were common in the ancient Near East, often devastating grain stores. Archaeology from Philistia and Egypt records outbreaks linked to famine and disease, lending historical plausibility to 1 Samuel 6. Images of mice in bronze or gold have been recovered from the region, likely votive objects crafted to appease deities during such outbreaks. Theological Reflections 1. Holiness and Separation: The mouse teaches that covenant holiness extends to the smallest details of life (Leviticus 11:44-45). Ministry Application • Personal purity: Believers ought to examine seemingly minor compromises that can defile conscience and witness. Christological Foreshadowing Every unclean creature ultimately points to humanity’s need for a Redeemer who is perfectly clean. Unlike the impotent golden rodents of Philistia, Jesus Christ “became sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21), bearing the plague of our iniquity and providing the only effective guilt offering. Conclusion Though mentioned only six times, the mouse serves as a multifaceted symbol—of impurity, divine judgment, and the pressing call to holiness. Its appearances reinforce the consistent biblical message that God desires a people separated from sin and set apart for His glory. Forms and Transliterations וְהָעַכְבָּ֑ר וְהָעַכְבָּ֖ר וְעַכְבְּרֵ֣י והעכבר ועכברי עַכְבְּרֵ֣י עַכְבְּרֵיכֶ֗ם עכברי עכבריכם ‘aḵ·bə·rê ‘aḵ·bə·rê·ḵem ‘aḵbərê ‘aḵbərêḵem achbeRei achbereiChem veachbeRei vehaachBar wə‘aḵbərê wə·‘aḵ·bə·rê wə·hā·‘aḵ·bār wəhā‘aḵbārLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 11:29 HEB: הָאָ֑רֶץ הַחֹ֥לֶד וְהָעַכְבָּ֖ר וְהַצָּ֥ב לְמִינֵֽהוּ׃ NAS: the mole, and the mouse, and the great lizard KJV: the weasel, and the mouse, and the tortoise INT: the earth the mole and the mouse and the great kinds 1 Samuel 6:4 1 Samuel 6:5 1 Samuel 6:11 1 Samuel 6:18 Isaiah 66:17 6 Occurrences |
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