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LEOPARD (nâmçr).—This animal (Felis pardus, Arab. [Note: Arabic.] nimr) is still found at times in the wilder parts of Palestine. Its beautiful spotted skin (Jer_5:6) is from time to time brought into the towns for sale. Some dervishes clothe themselves in a leopard’s skin. Its fierceness (Hos_13:7), its agility (Hab_1:8), and untamableness (Isa_11:6) are all mentioned. The name Nimr is a favourite one with the Arabs, who admire these qualities. In the names ‘waters of Nimrîm’ (‘leopards,’ Isa_15:6, Jer_48:34) and ‘Beth-nimrah’ (‘f. leopard,’ Num_32:3-36) references to the leopard also occur; cf. the ‘mountains of nĕçrîm (i.e. ‘the leopards,’ Son_4:8). The cheetah (Felix jubata) is found also in Galilee, and it too may have been included under the Heb. word nâmçr.
E. W. G. Masterman.