Coke’s hartebeests (Alcelaphus buselaphus cokii) on the African savanna.
The “Red” Mystery: Is that a Hartebeest in Your Bible?
If you’re reading through the Old Testament, you’ll find lists of animals that sound like they belong in a European forest—deer, gazelles, and roebucks. But what if one of those names actually refers to a giant, red-coated African antelope?
In Deuteronomy 14:5 and 1 Kings 4:23, the Bible mentions an animal called the yachmur. While most versions translate this Hebrew words as “fallow deer” (possibly Dama mesopotamica?) or “roebuck” (Capreolus capreolus?), it may be a case of mistaken identity.
Why the Hartebeest?
The name yachmur comes from a Hebrew root meaning “to be red.” While fallow deer can be reddish, the Bubal hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus buselaphus)—which once roamed the Levant and Egypt—was famous for its striking, tawny-red coat.
Unlike European deer, the hartebeest was desert-adapted, making it a much more likely candidate for a list of kosher animals in the biblical Heartland. Bubal bones have been identified in Bronze and Iron Age contexts at several sites, including Lachish, Ekron, and Tel Dor.
Sadly, this majestic creature was pressed into extinction; the last member of the species either died in a Paris zoo in 1923 or was shot in Morocco in 1925.
The Bubal hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus buselaphus) and Coke's hartebeest (pictured above) are closely related. Of the two, the Bubal* was smaller and seems to have ranged further north—across North Africa and up the coast of the Levant.
This is the only known photo of a living Bubal hartebeest. It was kept at a London Zoo from 4 October 1883 until 27 April 1897. The original image was taken in 1895; I found it here.
A Royal Meal
The yahmur wasn't just a random wild animal; it was one of the choice meats served at King Solomon’s table. In ancient times, these large antelopes were plentiful across the region, making them a perfect candidate for a royal feast.
So, why haven't we heard of it? Perhaps because this species quietly vanished from the tableau, later translators—unfamiliar with this rare “red antelope” of the desert—opted for more familiar European options like the roebuck or deer.
A Majestic Identity
So the next time you’re reading a biblical story, remember that the “fallow deer” on the horizon might just be a majestic, African antelope. The Bubal hartebeest is a reminder of how diverse, African,—and fragile—the dry environments of the biblical world truly are.
Want to read more about Coke’s Hartebeest? Check out our post, “Colonel Coke’s Hartebeest: Africa’s Unusual Antelope.”
*The LXX translates yachmur as boubalos, hence the term, Bubal hartebeest. Outside the Bible, the same word was used by classical writers (like Herodotus and Strabo) to describe a wild antelope. Curiously, the English term “buffalo” is likewise derived from the Greek boubalos.
Bible Land Explorers are headed back to Tanzania June 3-13, 2027. Lake Victoria, the Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater, are on our agenda as we photo-hunt big cats, small birds, and everything in-between. We are now receiving early registrations for this exclusive small-group adventure. See the link here for brochure and more information or email us at BibleLandExplorer@gmail.com.