weasel

Hebrew: חֹ֫לֶד (transliteration: choled or holedh)

This ancient Hebrew noun occurs only once in the entire Bible, in Leviticus 11:29. It is listed among the unclean animals that the Chosen People were not to eat. It is no longer clear exactly what this creature is or whether it may be extinct.

The King James Bible translators called it a “weasel” (KJV, ASV, ) Many later translators called it a “mole” (NKJV, NASB, Darby, ERV, ESV).

Some think that this Hebrew word denotes the mole-rat (Spalax) common pests in Israel. However, weasels are also common in Israel. Others think the word refers to common rats (CEB, CEV, ISV, NABRE, NET).