The Hebrew word ʼaqqôw, represented by H689, translates to wild goat. Based on its root, it likely refers to a slender animal, such as an ibex. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, marking it as a highly specific term.
The single appearance of H689 is in a list of animals permitted for food under the Law of Moses. In Deuteronomy 14:5, it is included among a group of clean, hoofed animals that could be eaten by the Israelites. The verse lists "The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois" Deuteronomy 14:5.
The context of Deuteronomy 14:5 groups H689 with several other specific animal terms, highlighting a diverse fauna recognized in the biblical world:
- H354 ʼayâl (hart): A stag or male deer, this animal is mentioned alongside the roebuck as clean to eat Deuteronomy 12:15 and is used metaphorically for spiritual longing Psalms 42:1.
- H6643 tsᵉbîy (roebuck): A term for a gazelle, also noted for its splendor and beauty. It is frequently paired with the hart Deuteronomy 12:15 and is used to describe a beloved person Song of Solomon 2:9.
- H3180 yachmûwr (fallow deer): A kind of deer included in the provisions for Solomon's table 1 Kings 4:23 and also in the list of clean animals.
- H8377 tᵉʼôw (wild ox): A species of antelope that is also mentioned in the context of judgment, where sons lie in the streets "as a wild bull in a net" Isaiah 51:20.
The significance of H689 is found primarily in its context rather than in direct theological application.
- Divine Provision and Law: Its sole mention is within a list of clean animals, emphasizing God's provision for His people while also establishing the legal boundaries that defined Israel's consecrated life.
- Part of a Symbolic Group: While ʼaqqôw is not used symbolically itself, it is listed with animals that are. The hart H354 symbolizes spiritual desire and restored joy, and the roebuck H6643 is a metaphor for beauty and swiftness, connecting the wild goat to a class of creatures with rich poetic meaning elsewhere in scripture.
In summary, H689 ʼaqqôw is a specific term for the wild goat or ibex. Its only biblical appearance is in Deuteronomy's list of clean animals fit for consumption. While the word itself carries no extensive theological weight, its inclusion in this list marks it as part of God's provision and associates it with other animals, like the hart and roebuck, which are used to convey profound spiritual and poetic themes throughout the Old Testament.
TRV