Even a Coney Needs Love

(Proverbs 30:26 KJV)  The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;

The oldest NASB calls these animals simply “badgers” (8227a).  The 1977 NASB calls them “rock badgers” and the updated uses “shaphan”.  The KJV says “coney”.  No one seems to know what it is.  In the kosher regulations it is defined as chewing its cud but not having a cloven hoof, thus it is unclean.  I would think something like a rabbit. 

The context has it as something that is weak and insignificant.  At the same time it is singled out as an illustration of hard work and perseverance.  It has a place in God’s economy. 

So?  Have you ever felt like a coney?  It may only come on special occasions.  It may be a constant companion.  It may even be true.  Keep in mind that a coney has at least one redeeming quality.  Yours may not be building homes in the rocks but it exists.