Mole

Heb. tinshameth (Lev. 11:30), probably signifies some species of lizard (rendered in R.V., “chameleon”). In Lev. 11:18, Deut. 14:16, it is rendered, in Authorized Version, “swan” (R.V., “horned owl”). The Heb. holed (Lev. 11:29), rendered “weasel,” was probably the mole-rat. The true mole (Talpa Europoea) is not found in Palestine. The mole-rat (Spalax typhlus) “is twice the size of our mole, with no external eyes, and with only faint traces within of the rudimentary organ; no apparent ears, but, like the mole, with great internal organs of hearing; a strong, bare snout, and with large gnawing teeth; its colour a pale slate; its feet short, and provided with strong nails; its tail only rudimentary.” In Isa. 2:20, this word is the rendering of two words _haphar peroth_, which are rendered by Gesenius “into the digging of rats”, i.e., rats’ holes. But these two Hebrew words ought probably to be combined into one (lahporperoth) and translated “to the moles”, i.e., the rat-moles. This animal “lives in underground communities, making large subterranean chambers for its young and for storehouses, with many runs connected with them, and is decidedly partial to the loose debris among ruins and stone-heaps, where it can form its chambers with least trouble.”

MOLE. In Lev 11:30 the Hebrew word is believed to denote the chameleon, already described. The most recent criticism would have this vexed verse read thus: "And the gecko and the monitor and the true lizard and the sand lizard and the chameleon." Another word rendered "mole," in Isa 2:20, means "the burrower." As no true moles have been found in Palestine, this term may comprehend the various rats and weasels that burrow about ruins. The interesting mole-rat (Spalax typhlus), a quadruped about 10 inches long, and whose habits are indicated by its name, is doubtless one of these burrowers, if not the only one intended.

MOLE. In Lev 11:30 the Hebrew word is believed to denote the chameleon, already described. The most recent criticism would have this vexed verse read thus: "And the gecko and the monitor and the true lizard and the sand lizard and the chameleon." Another word rendered "mole," in Isa 2:20, means "the burrower." As no true moles have been found in Palestine, this term may comprehend the various rats and weasels that burrow about ruins. The interesting mole-rat (Spalax typhlus), a quadruped about 10 inches long, and whose habits are indicated by its name, is doubtless one of these burrowers, if not the only one intended.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A spot; a stain; a mark which discolors or disfigures. [Obs.] Piers Plowman.

2. A spot, mark, or small permanent protuberance on the human body; esp., a spot which is dark-colored, from which commonly issue one or more hairs.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

A mass of fleshy or other more or less solid matter generated in the uterus.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

A mound or massive work formed of masonry or large stones, etc., laid in the sea, often extended either in a right line or an arc of a circle before a port which it serves to defend from the violence of the waves, thus protecting ships in a harbor; also, sometimes, the harbor itself. Brande & C.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. Any insectivore of the family Talpidæ. They have minute eyes and ears, soft fur, and very large and strong fore feet.

2. A plow of peculiar construction, for forming underground drains. [U.S.] Duck mole. See under Duck. -- Golden mole. See Chrysochlore. -- Mole cricket (Zoöl.), an orthopterous insect of the genus Gryllotalpa, which excavates subterranean galleries, and throws up mounds of earth resembling those of the mole. It is said to do damage by injuring the roots of plants. The common European species (Gryllotalpa vulgaris), and the American (G. borealis), are the best known. -- Mole rat (Zoöl.), any one of several species of Old World rodents of the genera Spalax, Georychus, and several allied genera. They are molelike in appearance and habits, and their eyes are small or rudimentary. -- Mole shrew (Zoöl.), any one of several species of short-tailed American shrews of the genus Blarina, esp. B. brevicauda. -- Water mole, the duck mole.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To form holes in, as a mole; to burrow; to excavate; as, to mole the earth.

2. To clear of molehills. [Prov. Eng.] Pegge.