Topical Encyclopedia
Rats, as a specific term, are not directly mentioned in the Bible. However, they are often associated with the broader category of "vermin" or "unclean animals" that are referenced in various biblical texts. In the ancient Near East, rats were known to be common pests, and their presence was often linked to disease and destruction, which aligns with the biblical themes of impurity and judgment.
Biblical Context and SymbolismIn the Bible, rodents, including rats, are generally considered unclean animals.
Leviticus 11:29-31 lists creatures that are detestable and should not be eaten, including "the weasel, the mouse, and the great lizard of any kind." While the term "mouse" is used, it is understood to encompass various small rodents, potentially including rats. These animals are associated with impurity and are not to be consumed or touched when dead, as they would render a person ceremonially unclean.
Rats, as part of the broader category of vermin, symbolize destruction and divine judgment. In
1 Samuel 6, the Philistines, after capturing the Ark of the Covenant, are struck by a plague. In an attempt to appease the God of Israel, they send the Ark back with a guilt offering that includes golden images of tumors and rats, acknowledging the devastation brought upon them.
1 Samuel 6:4-5 states, "The Philistines asked, 'What guilt offering should we send to Him?' And they replied, 'Five gold tumors and five gold rats, according to the number of the Philistine rulers, because the same plague has struck both you and your rulers. Make images of your tumors and of the rats that are destroying the land, and give glory to the God of Israel.'"
Cultural and Historical BackgroundIn the ancient world, rats were known for their ability to spread disease and cause agricultural damage. Their presence in grain stores and living quarters would have been a significant concern for ancient peoples, including the Israelites. The destructive nature of rats made them a fitting symbol for divine retribution and the consequences of sin.
The association of rats with plagues and destruction is consistent with their role in the narrative of the Philistines and the Ark. The golden rats sent as part of the guilt offering symbolize the acknowledgment of the calamity that befell them due to their actions against the God of Israel.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, the mention of rats and other unclean animals in the Bible serves as a reminder of the importance of purity and obedience to God's commandments. The laws concerning clean and unclean animals in Leviticus are part of the broader covenantal relationship between God and His people, emphasizing holiness and separation from the practices of surrounding nations.
The account of the Philistines and the Ark highlights the sovereignty of God and the futility of opposing His will. The use of rats as a symbol of judgment underscores the consequences of defying God's holiness and the necessity of repentance and restitution.
In summary, while rats are not explicitly named in the Bible, their symbolic presence in the narrative underscores themes of impurity, judgment, and the need for reverence toward God.
Strong's Hebrew
7518.rats -- perhaps piece, bar... 7517, 7518.
rats. 7519 . perhaps piece, bar. Transliteration:
rats Phonetic
Spelling: (
rats) Short Definition: pieces.
... 7517, 7518.
rats. 7519 .
...6206. arats -- to cause to tremble, tremble
... 6205, 6206. arats. 6207 . to cause to tremble, tremble. Transliteration: arats
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-rats') Short Definition: tremble. Word Origin a prim....
2782. charats -- to cut, sharpen, decide
... 2781, 2782. charats. 2783 . to cut, sharpen, decide. Transliteration: charats
Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-rats') Short Definition: decreed. Word Origin a prim...
8317. sharats -- to swarm, teem
... 8316, 8317. sharats. 8318 . to swarm, teem. Transliteration: sharats Phonetic
Spelling: (shaw-rats') Short Definition: swarms. Word Origin a prim....
4834. marats -- to be sick
... 4833, 4834. marats. 4835 . to be sick. Transliteration: marats Phonetic Spelling:
(maw-rats') Short Definition: painful. Word Origin a prim....
6555. parats -- to break through
... 6554, 6555. parats. 6556 . to break through. Transliteration: parats Phonetic
Spelling: (paw-rats') Short Definition: down. Word Origin a prim....
7169. qarats -- to nip, pinch
... 7168, 7169. qarats. 7170 . to nip, pinch. Transliteration: qarats Phonetic
Spelling: (kaw-rats') Short Definition: winks. Word Origin a prim....
Library
Ranee Khet Mission.
... In the heavy rains the house leaked in such a degree that there was scarcely a dry
spot in it; and, what was worse, therats got into the open roof, and by...
the Legendary History of Egypt
... The same story is told, but with reference torats only, by Pliny, by Diodorus,
by AElianus, by Macrobius, and by other Greek or Latin writers....
Tales by the Way
... In a minute or two the hollow head of the image rolled with a clang on the marble
floor, and out sprang an immemorial colony ofrats, whose home had been thus...
Gherardi Sat for Two or Three Minutes in Absolute Silence. ...
... But therats are in the house, and the rooms want cleaning!". "In... Republic?
In every quarter therats squeal, and the dirt gathers!...
Striking Similes
... Brown as the sweet smelling loam. Brute terrors like the scurrying ofrats
in a deserted attic.... Drowned likerats. Dull as champagne. E....
The Right to Feel Superior
... Do you have to eat with chopsticks? Don't they serve yourats and mice and
all sorts of horrible things?". "Of course not, you silly!...
The Pilgrim Band, 1736-1743.
... They heard therats and mice hold revels on the worm-eaten staircases, and heard
the night wind howl and sough between the broken windows; and from those...
The Temple of Serapis (Ad 391)
... The soldier worked away manfully, and, after a while, the huge head of the idol
came crashing down, and a swarm ofrats, which had long made their home in it...
The Weird Lady
... 'Thy steed is dead in his stall, Earl Harold, Since thou hast been with me; The
rust has eaten thy harness bright, And therats have eaten thy greyhound light...
How the vine of the Priest of Rieti, Whose House St Francis...
... cell of reeds, in order that he might repose the better; but St Francis, owing partly
to the pain he suffered, and partly to the multitude ofrats, which much...
Thesaurus
Rats (5 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Rats (5 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 6:4 Then they
said, "What shall be the trespass offering which we shall
...Mole (2 Occurrences)
... In Isaiah 2:20, this word is the rendering of two words _haphar peroth_, which are
rendered by Gesenius "into the digging ofrats", ie,rats' holes....
Money (284 Occurrences)
... Another word used in a similar way israts, from ratsats, "to break in pieces,"
hence,rats is "a piece" or "fragment of silver" used as money....
Rattle (2 Occurrences)
Vermin (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Noxious, troublesome or mischievous animals
such as squirrels,rats, mice, flies, and lice. 2. (n. sing....
Kid (42 Occurrences)
... imposed on. 3. (n.) A kind of leather made of the skin of the young goat,
or of the skin ofrats, etc. 4. (n.) Gloves made of kid. 5...
Guard (185 Occurrences)
... 2:14). (2.) Hebrewsrats, properly a "courier," one whose office was to run before
the king's chariot (2 Samuel 15:1; 1 Kings 1:5). The couriers were also...
Weasel (1 Occurrence)
... They have a slender, elongated body, and are noted for the quickness of their movements
and for their bloodthirsty habit in destroying poultry,rats, etc....
Ferret (1 Occurrence)
... eyes. It is a native of Africa, but has been domesticated in Europe. Ferrets
are used to drive rabbits andrats out of their holes. 2...
Rat (1 Occurrence)
... established by a trades union. 5. (vi) To catch or killrats. Multi-Version
Concordance Rat (1 Occurrence). Leviticus 11:29 "'These...
Resources
What were the emerods God afflicted the Philistines with in 1 Samuel 5? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about littering? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Dagon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
