Bible Dictionary
Fallow Deer
The fallow deer is the animal called yahmur in the Hebrew Scriptures, mentioned among creatures permitted as food. Its exact identification is uncertain; it may refer to a deer, roebuck, or the bubale, a stag-like wild animal.
Definition
The fallow deer is the animal called yahmur in the Hebrew Scriptures. Its identification is uncertain: it has been understood as the common fallow deer, a roebuck-like deer, or the bubale, a stag-sized wild cow of North Africa. The name is associated with a reddish color.
Biblical Usage
The animal is mentioned among creatures permitted as food in Deuteronomy 14:5 and among the provisions of Solomon’s household in 1 Kings 4:23.
Historical Background
Some identify yahmur with the bubale, which lives in herds and is valued for its venison. A deer called yahmur by Arabs has been found at Mount Carmel and is said to resemble the European roebuck.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Deut. 14:5 (R.V., “Wild goat”); 1 Kings 4:23 (R.V., “roebucks”). This animal, called in Hebrew yahmur, from a word meaning “to be red,” is regarded by some as the common fallow-deer, the Cervus dama, which is said to be found very generally over Western and Southern Asia. It is called “fallow” from its pale-red or yellow colour. Some interpreters, however, regard the name as designating the bubale, Antelope bubale, the “wild cow” of North Africa, which is about the size of a stag, like the hartebeest of South Africa. A species of deer has been found at Mount Carmel which is called yahmur by the Arabs. It is said to be similar to the European roebuck.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(called fallow from its reddish-brown color) (Heb. yachmur). The Hebrew word, which is mentioned only in (14:5) and 1Kin 4:23 Probably denotes the Alcelaphus bubalis (the bubale or wild cow) of Barbary and North Africa. It is about the size of a stag, and lives in herds. It is almost exactly like the European roebuck, and is valued for its venison.