laid down his life for us, laying it down as a ransom for many, he interpreted those things which the book of Judges comprises; for Jephthah also offered up his daughter to God as a whole burnt offering for the salvation of his people. Jesse was the father of seven sons; Moses is numbered the seventh from Abraham. The name of John is written with seven letters. The name of Christ also consists of seven letters. Seven deacons were chosen by the disciples for the service of the Christians: Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, Nicolaus. Seven children overthrew the tyranny of Antiochus. And, to sum up in a word, this is the commended and admirable number: since the Lord formerly shouted out clearly in the words of Scripture: "Honor the day of the Sabbath, and sanctify it; for on it God rested from all his works which he had begun to do." To Him be glory unto ages of ages. Amen.
OF OUR HOLY FATHER EPIPHANIUS, BISHOP OF CONSTANTIA IN CYPRUS
To the Physiologus, who has discoursed on the nature of every kind of beast and bird.
CHAPTER I.
The Physiologus speaks first of the lion.
Let us begin to speak of the lion, the king of beasts or animals; for Jacob, blessing Judah, says: "Judah is a lion's whelp; from the shoot, my son, you have gone up," and what follows.
The first property of the lion.
When the lion wanders in the mountain and perceives the scent of a hunter, he covers his tracks with his tail, so that the hunters, not following his tracks, might not find his lair nor capture him.
Interpretation.
Thus also our Lord Jesus Christ, the spiritual lion, who conquered from the tribe of Judah, the root of David, sent by the Father, covered his spiritual tracks, that is, his divinity, until his descent. For he descended into the womb of Mary, to save the human race deceived by fraud. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. Because of this, those who were ignora-
Ant of him who had descended from above said: *Who is this King of glory?* But the Holy Spirit says: *The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory* (Ps. XXIII, 8).
*Another interpretation.* So too you, O spiritual man, when you do alms, let not your left hand know the work of your right, lest the devil track you by your good works and incline you towards evil deeds.
CHAPTER II. Another property of the lion.
The lioness gives birth to a cub that is breathless and blind, and she lies beside it for three days, keeping her eyes fixed upon it. But when these are past, the lion comes and breathes upon the cub, and it immediately returns to life and receives the light of its eyes. When, however, he sleeps, his eyes remain watchful, so that he senses the hunter from seven stadia away and flees from him, nor is he caught by him.*Interpretation.* Thus also the unbelieving nations, through the three-day burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen more clearly and been brought to life. For before baptism they were called dead and blind; but they were watched over by the lioness, that is, by the Holy Spirit, throughout the three days of the burial. But when the lion came—that is, the life-giving Word—and breathed the Holy Spirit into them, he brought them back to life and led them all out of hell. B
CHAPTER III. Concerning the urus.
The urus is the largest of all animals, similar to an ox, and has two horns in the form of a saw; it is more terrible in appearance than all animals. Thus, by shaking tall trees, it hacks them down and severs their branches, nor is there any animal stronger than it. It feeds not far from the Ocean, and immediately as it drinks, it plays as if it were drunk, and strikes the earth with its horns like an ox. C But there is a tree there called the *tanus*, having the appearance of a vine with white branches; when the urus strikes this with its head, its horn becomes entangled. The hunter therefore approaches and finds the horn bound fast, and subdues it. D*Interpretation.* Do you, therefore, O spiritual man, consider how much more noble God has made you than the urus. For instead of two horns, he has given you the two Testaments, that is, the Old and New Testament, which are horns against opposing powers, that the devil may not circumvent you; for the Prophet says: *In thee will we push down our enemies with the horn* (Ps. XLIII, 6).
*Another interpretation.* The Ocean signifies the abundance of riches; the *tanus*,
that is, the pleasure of life. Being entangled in the pleasures of life, man neglects the faith. Then the hunter, that is, the devil, coming upon him and finding him entangled and neglecting the faith, takes possession of him.
CAP. IV. On the Elephant.
The elephant is the largest of animals, having a trunk with which it strikes at the animals that attack it. A By this trunk it provides itself with food and drink; for it has no joints, and it grazes while inclined, and it does not bend its knees. The female seeks the herb which is called mandrake, and partakes of it, and is immediately inflamed with the desire for mating, and hastening to the male, offers it to him. The male, as soon as he eats, burns with lust and mates with the female. When the time of giving birth draws near, it enters into a lake of water, measuring the water until it reaches its breasts, and in this way it gives birth. For if it were to give birth on the land, the young one would be unable to rise, lacking joints.
Interpretation.
It is evident that the first-formed Adam did not, like Eve, taste of the tree of disobedience first; for she gave it to her husband; and as soon as he ate, he sensed that he had transgressed the commandment of the Lord. What, therefore, did it beget? Sin, indeed. And what was the lake of the birth? Paradise.
CAP. V. On the Stag.
The stag has the appearance of a wild gazelle; its horn is threefold, B according to its three renewals. It lives for fifty years, and like a swift runner, it traverses the woods of the forests and the ravines of the mountains, and it scents the dens of creeping things. And as soon as it perceives where the serpent is dwelling, it immediately places its nose at the threshold of the den and draws out its breath; thus the serpent, brought forth, casts itself into the throat of the stag, and the latter swallows it. For this reason it is called *elaphos* (stag), on account of its drawing the serpents out from their depth. It runs to the springs of water, and if it does not taste of water for three hours, it dies; but if it finds water, it lives again for fifty years. For this reason the prophet said: C *As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God* (Ps. XLI, 2).
Interpretation.
You, therefore, intelligent man, have three renewals: of these, one is the baptism of incorruption, the second is the grace of adoption, and the third is repentance. And when you find the serpent in your heart (that is, sin), run swiftly to the springs of water,
that is, to the sources of the Scriptures (according to the prophets who interpret them), and drink the living water, which is the holy gift; for by partaking in repentance, you shall thereafter renew yourself through the same, and sin shall be put to death. A
Chapter VI. On the eagle.
For the eagle is the king of birds. It is called eagle (*aetos*) because of its long life; it lives for a hundred years. When it grows old, its beak becomes hooked, and its eyes grow dim so that it cannot see and cannot catch food. Therefore, it raises itself to a great height, and casts itself against a jagged rock, striking its beak against it, and it bathes in the cool lake, and sits in the heat of the sun. The scales fall from its eyes, and it begins to become young again.
Interpretation.
You, therefore, O spiritual man, when you are weighed down by a multitude of sins, ascend into the heights, that is, into your own conscience, and cast yourself against the rock, that is, against the orthodox faith; weep for the number of your sins. Be cleansed in the lake of your tears. Be warmed by the sun, that is, by the Church and by the Holy Spirit; hasten with all speed to the warmth of repentance. Cast from you the scales, which are your sins, and your youth shall be renewed like the eagle's, and you shall be called righteous before God. B
Chapter VII. On the vulture.
The vulture is more gluttonous than all birds; for it abstains from food for forty days, but when it finds it, it gorges itself with as many pounds of food, and thus compensates for the forty-day fast with a forty-day gluttony.
Interpretation.
You, therefore, O spiritual man, who have kept a fast for forty days, waiting for the Lord's resurrection, do not wish to indulge your belly, lest you lose the merit of your forty-day fast. C
Chapter VIII. On the pelican.
For the pelican is a bird that loves its offspring more than all other birds. The female sits in the nest, guarding its chicks, and keeps them warm, embracing them and striking them with kisses; it makes holes in their sides, and they die. But after three days, the male pelican arrives and finds them dead, and grieves deeply for them in its heart. D Struck by the pain, it strikes its own side and makes holes in it, and blood flows out, which it drips onto the wounds of the dead chicks, and thus they are brought back to life.
Interpretation.
So also our Lord Jesus Christ, whose side a lance opened, and immediately blood and water came forth,
A he poured out his blood upon the dead chicks, that is to say, Adam and Eve and the rest of the prophets, and upon all the dead, and he enlightened the world, and brought them to life through his three-day burial and his resurrection. For this reason he spoke through the Prophet: “I have become like a pelican of the wilderness.”
Chapter IX. Concerning the Partridge.
The partridge is a prolific bird. Having made its nest, the female goes about, and lays eggs every day. But the produce of its own womb is not sufficient for it; rather, running about, it steals the eggs of other birds and brings them to its own nest.Interpretation. So you also, O spiritual man, when you have performed many acts of almsgiving, do not think they are sufficient for you, but run to other commandments, and greatly multiply your nest; that is to say, purify your heart, and strengthen yourself greatly against the opposing powers.
Chapter X. Concerning the Turtledove.
The turtledove is a bird more loving of its mate than all other birds, and they go about together, male and female, and produce chicks; and if they are separated by death, they observe monogamy until the end of their lives.Interpretation. So you also, O spiritual man, when you are burdened with iniquities, and it seems to you that it is time to repent, cast away evil-doing, and do not fall into other filth, that is to say, into another sin, but observe your "monogamy," that is, the bounds of your wife, that you may find a dwelling place in the second coming.
Chapter XI. Concerning the Phoenix.
The phoenix is more beautiful than the peacock. For the peacock possesses wings covered with gold and silver; but the phoenix has wings of hyacinth and emerald, and distinguished by the colors of precious stones. For it wears a crown upon its head, and bears spurs C on its feet. The phoenix lives near India, and spends its life for some five hundred years among the cedars of Lebanon, without food or drink, and is fed by the wind. And after the five hundred years are completed, it fills its wings with aromatics, and when the priest of Heliopolis gives the signal, it rises from its own place, and goes to the priest, and entering into the temple with the priest, into the holy altar, and all its members become ash. But on the following day he finds it having wings; and on the third day, filled with wings, it greets the priest, and being renewed, goes away again to its own place.Interpretation. Why, then, did the lawless Jews not believe in the three-day resurrection of our Lord Jesus
Christ, since the bird was brought to life after three days, and was He, our Lord Jesus Christ, unable by that same means to raise Himself from the dead? For this reason the Prophet said: "The righteous shall flourish as the palm tree." A
Chapter XII. Concerning the Peacock.
The peacock is a bird that boasts more than all other winged creatures; for it is beautiful in the form of its body and its wings. While walking, it gazes at itself with delight, but it lowers its head and casts its eyes upon the ground; yet when it catches sight of its feet, it cries out loudly, asserting that they are unseemly compared to the rest of its body.Interpretation. So you, too, spiritual man, seeing your commandments and your good deeds, rejoice and be glad; but when you see your feet—that is, your sins—cry out and weep before God, and hate sin, just as the peacock hates its feet, so that you may appear righteous to the Bridegroom. B
Chapter XIII. Concerning the Serpent.
Christ said in the Gospel: "Be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." The Physiologus says regarding the serpent that there are many qualities in its nature.The First Property of the Serpent. When it grows old, its eyes grow dim; and when it wishes to make itself young again, it fastens for forty days until its body becomes emaciated and loose, and it finds a rock and splits through a gap, and pushing through the hole, it strives to pass, and casts off its old age, and having cast it off, it enjoys being young again. C
Interpretation. And you, spiritual man, if you wish to cast off the ancient old age of the world, macerate your body through fasting, by the narrow and afflicted way. For "narrow is the gate and afflicted is the way that leads to the kingdom of heaven."
Chapter XIV. The Second Property of the Serpent.
When a man clothed in a garment is seen by a serpent, it fears him and flees from him; but if it sees him naked, it attacks him.Interpretation. And you, consider spiritually, that when your ancestor Adam was in Paradise, clothed in the garment woven by God, the devil could not attack him, but fled far from him; but when he remained naked, having transgressed the law of God, then the Evil One overcame him. D
Chapter XV. The Third Property of the Serpent.
If ever a serpent is pursued by a man, it protects only its head, and offers the rest of its body.A
Interpretation.
We also, therefore, at the time of danger, ought to yield our whole body to death, guarding only the head—that is, not denying Christ, as the holy martyrs did. For the head of every man is Christ, as Scripture says.CHAPTER XVI. The fourth nature of the serpent.
When the serpent goes to the spring to drink water, it does not carry its poison, but leaves it in its nest, and then proceeds pure, so that it may not poison those who drink from those waters.
Interpretation.
B We, therefore, who hasten to the ever-flowing and pure water, which abounds with divine and heavenly utterances in the Church of God, also ought not to carry with us the poison of malice; but indeed to lay aside all malice and reviling, and every evil thought, and thus, innocent and pure, let us approach the Church of Christ, so that our soul may not be poisoned.CHAPTER XVII. Concerning the ant.
Solomon said in the Proverbs: "Go to the ant, O sluggard." The Physiologus says that the ant has many natures.
The first nature of the ant.
C When they walk diligently, each one carrying a grain, they do not say to those who are carrying, "Give us," nor do they snatch from them; but of their own accord they gather and go away.Interpretation.
These things can be found in the prudent and foolish virgins.
CHAPTER XVIII. The second nature of the ant.
When it stores grains in its cell, it divides them in two, lest they rot when winter comes, and they perish from famine. For the ant, being D a clever animal, anticipates great heat or the coming of rain. When you see the ant carrying a grain of wheat into its hole, understand that winter is coming; but if you see it carrying it out, know that calm weather is at hand.
Interpretation.
And you, therefore, O man, distinguish the words of the Old Testament from the spiritual ones. For the letter kills. For Paul said: "The law is spiritual." For the Jews, not adhering to the Law, perished from famine.
CHAPTER XIX. Concerning the fox.
The fox is a versatile animal. When it is hungry and finds no food, it goes to sunny places, and throwing itself to the ground, and holding
its breath while feigning death, it lies supine, having its eyes and feet upward. When the birds approach and wish to eat it, it readily captures them.
Interpretation. So also the devil, wishing to ensnare a man, tempts him so that he may be negligent in prayer, and thus he very easily ensnares him.
A CHAPTER XX. Concerning the owl.
The Psalmist says: "I have become like an owl." The Physiologus says that this is a bird that loves the darkness more than the light.
Interpretation. Thus also our Lord Jesus Christ loved us, who were sitting in darkness and the shadow of death—that is, He loved the people of the Gentiles more than the Jews, who formerly had the adoption and the promise in the Father. B Therefore the Savior said: "Fear not, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom." You will say to me that the owl is an unclean bird; how, then, did the Savior say through the Apostle: "Him who knew no sin, He made to be sin for our sake"? He humbled Himself that He might exalt all; He became all things that He might save all.
CHAPTER XXI. Concerning the bee.
The Wise Man says: "Small among birds is the bee, the fruit of which is the beginning of sweetness." C
Interpretation. In the same way, divine works are incomprehensible in men, and marvelous in the heights, and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb, and sweeter than all created things.
CHAPTER XXII. Concerning the land-frog.
This land-frog receives the heat of the sun, and suffers frosts, rains, winds, and winter storms, and sustains all things, and despairs of nothing. But the water-frog is able to endure none of these, but when winter sets in, it casts itself into the deep; but when the sun shines, it emerges and warms itself pleasantly; but when the heat of the sun increases, it cannot bear it, and again casts itself into the deep. D
Interpretation. Thus also monks who live at their leisure are not able to endure hunger, thirst, nakedness, continence, and sleeping on the ground; but those who do not indulge in idleness fast gladly and sustain all things.
CHAPTER XXIII. Concerning the charadrius.
There is a bird called the charadrius. The Physiologus has argued concerning this, that it is entirely white, without any trace of blackness at all. Moreover, if anyone is suffering from a disease, and it is a man’s