List of Animals in The Bible - W

W

• Waternhen. — See PORPHYRION (sup.).

• Weasel, Lev., xi, 29, must be regarded as a general name, probably designating, besides the weasel proper, the polecat and ichneumon, all very common in the Holy Land.

• Whale (Genesis 1:21). — Tânnîm would perhaps be better translated as "sea-monster"; porpoises and dugongs were certainly known to the Hebrews.

• Wild dogs, Ezekiel 13:4

• Wolf. — Frequently mentioned in the Scriptures as a special foe to flocks (Sirach 13:21; Matthew 7:15), and an emblem of treachery, ferocity, and bloodthirstiness. Wolves usually prowl at night around the sheepfolds, and, though fewer in numbers than jackals, are much more harmful. The tribe of Benjamin, owing to its warlike character, was compared to a wolf.

• Worm. — In English the translation for two Hebrew words: rímmah ; and tólá' (Exodus 16:20, etc.); these two Hebrew words are general; the former designates particularly all living organisms generated and swarming in decaying or rotten substances; the latter includes not only worms, but also such insects as caterpillars, centipedes, etc.