Leviticus 11:5 - Exposition

The coney , Hebrew, shaphan; the Hyrax Syriacus , or wabr, still called in Southern Arabia tsofun, a little animal similar to but not identical with the rabbit. "They live in the natural caves and clefts of the rocks ( Psalms 104:18 ), are very gregarious, being often seen seated in troops before the openings of their caves, and extremely timid, as they are quite defenseless ( Proverbs 30:26 ). They are about the size of rabbits, of a brownish-gray or brownish-yellow color, but white under the belly; they have bright eyes, round ears, and no tail. The Arabs eat them, but do not place them before their guests" (Keil).