Ark of the Covenant - Bible History Online
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Naves Topical Bible Dictionary

roe Summary and Overview

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roe in Easton's Bible Dictionary

(Heb. tsebi), properly the gazelle (Arab. ghazal), permitted for food (Deut. 14:5; compare Deut. 12:15, 22; 15:22; 1 Kings 4:23), noted for its swiftness and beauty and grace of form (2 Sam. 2:18; 1 Chr. 12:8; Cant. 2:9; 7:3; 8:14). The gazelle (Gazella dorcas) is found in great numbers in Israel. "Among the gray hills of Galilee it is still 'the roe upon the mountains of Bether,' and I have seen a little troop of gazelles feeding on the Mount of Olives close to Jerusalem itself" (Tristram). The Hebrew word ('ayyalah) in Prov. 5: 19 thus rendered (R.V., "doe"), is properly the "wild she-goat," the mountain goat, the ibex. (See 1 Sam. 24:2; Ps. 104:18; Job 39:1.)

roe in Schaff's Bible Dictionary

ROE , ROE'BUCK (beauty), an animal especially fleet of foot, 2 Sam 2:18; 1 Chr 12:8, and elegant in form. Roe, or Gazelle. (Gazella Dorcas. After Wood.) Song 2:9, 2 Sam 21:17; Am 8:14. The gazelle (Gazella dorcas) satisfies these and all other requirements, and is still very abundant in Palestine and adjacent regions. The Jews might use the roe as food, Deut 12:15, Josh 11:22; it was hunted, Isa 13:14:" it is amiable, affectionate, and loving, by universal testimony," Prov 5:19; and it has ever been admired for its beauty, which is the meaning of its Hebrew name. "Tabitha" or "Dorcas" means "a gazelle." Acts 9:36. RO'GELj (a fuller) occurs in the margin to 1 Kgs 1:9 instead of "Enrogel."

roe in Fausset's Bible Dictionary

ROE or ROEBUCK. Yaalah, "chamois" (Proverbs 5:19) or ibex, the female of the wild goat. Tsebi (masculine), tsebiah (feminine), from whence Tabitha (Greek Dorkas), "loving and beloved": Acts 9:36. The beautiful antelope or gazelle, the Antelope dorcas and Antelope Arabica. Slender, graceful, shy, and timid; the image of feminine loveliness (Song of Solomon 4:5; Song of Solomon 2:9; Song of Solomon 2:17; Song of Solomon 8:14). The eye is large, soft, liquid, languishing, and of deepest black; image of swift footedness (2 Samuel 1:19; 2 Samuel 2:18; 1 Chronicles 12:8). Israel ate the gazelle in the wilderness, and the flesh of flocks and herds only when offered in sacrifice; but in Canaan they might eat the flesh, "even as the gazelle" (Deuteronomy 12:15; Deuteronomy 12:22); Isaac's venison was front it (Genesis 27). The valley of Gerar and the Beersheba plains are still frequented by it. Egyptian paintings represent it hunted by hounds.