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 ( Jeremiah 5:6 ) is from time to time brought into the towns for sale. Some dervishes clothe themselves in a leopard’s skin. Its fierceness ( Hosea 13:7 ), its agility ( Habakkuk 1:8 ), and untamableness ( Isaiah 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,’ Isaiah 15:6 , Jeremiah 48:34 ) and ‘Beth- nimrah ’ (‘f. leopard,’ Numbers 32:3-36 ) references to the leopard also occur; cf. the ‘mountains of nÄ•mçrîm ( i.e . ‘the leopards,’ Song of Solomon 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.