The Curious History of the Translation of the Hebrew Word תנים <i>tannîm</i> : Dragons, Jackals, or Crocodiles?

The translation history of תַּנִּים tannîm is reviewed, including the Greek LXX, the Latin Vulgate, and the Aramaic targums. The animal described by the Latin word draco changed in the early mediaeval era from a crocodile into a flying reptile. The use of jackal to translate תַּנִּים tannîm is traced to Edward Pococke. It is argued that jackals are already described by the word שׁוּעָלִים šûʿālîm . A range of possible animals with which to identify תַּנִּים tannîm is considered and it is concluded that the word תַּנִּים tannîm is used mainly to describe crocodiles.