greyhound Summary and Overview

(Prov. 30:31), the rendering of the Hebrew "zarzir mothnayim", meaning literally "girded as to the lions." Some (Gesen.; R.V. marg.) render it "war-horse." The LXX. and Vulgate versions render it "cock." It has been by some interpreters rendered also "stag" and "warrior," as being girded about or panoplied, and "wrestler." The greyhound, however, was evidently known in ancient times, as appears from Egyptian monuments.

the translation in the text of the Authorized Version, #Pr 30:31| of the Hebrew word zarzir mothnayin; i.e. "one girt about the loins." Various are the opinions as to what animal "comely in going" is here intended Some think "a leopard," others "an eagle," or "a man girt with armor," or "a zebra," or "a war-horse girt with trappings." But perhaps the word means "a wrestler," when girt about the loins for a contest.

GREY'HOUND is the A.V. translation for the Hebrew words, meaning "one girt about the loins." Prov 30:31. That a "greyhound" does not answer to the meaning of the Hebrew is generally agreed. The most probable rendering yet suggested is that of a "wrestler" girded for the fight; others explain it of the war-horse, which is so poetically described in the book of Job 39:19-25.

Proverbs 30:31, margin, "girt in the loins," referring to the slenderness of its body at the loins, as if tightly girt for grace and swiftness in running, so that it is classed among the "things which go well." The ancient Egyptian paintings represent such close-girt hounds used in coursing. Gesenius understands Proverbs 30:31 "a war horse with ornamental trappings girt on its loins." Maurer, "a wrestler with loins girt for the struggle."