Art Maier: Exotic pets were useful beasts in the Bible
Hey-Hey-Hey! Get something no one else has! A peacock, just for looks! We have cats to keep down those nasty mice! And dogs! Get one for the kids! Get another for the farm! Nice pets!
It is a good possibility these calls were heard in public markets of Bible times.
There were no newspapers then to carry ads for animals. But animal sales that we would appreciate were part of business in Bible land life.
It was active business. The markets of ancient towns were like huge, open-air shopping malls. Customers, strolling along rows of tent stalls and booths, saw almost everything money could buy at the time. Livestock animals were undoubtedly sold. Pets must have been offered, at least occasionally.
Did the boy Jesus have a pet dog? If he did, it probably was not purchased. More likely, some orphan puppy wandered into Joseph's carpenter shop one day and proceeded to take up residence under a table.
What about a cat? Scholars claim that no translated word for our kitty-cat is found in the Bible texts. Cats were surely known to the Israelites. Beautiful cats may have been bred and sold, as they are now. Of course, any cat the boy Jesus had was probably a drop-in stray that decided to make itself at home.
Such a cat would have earned its keep, controlling mice, which were potential pests.
The Bible mentions quite a few animals that had commercial value. Cows, sheep, and goats were, of course, bought or traded.
Camels were important for transport. We find them mentioned in the Bible. No doubt, town markets had camel dealers.
Did ancient markets have any dealers selling what we would call exotic pets? Perhaps, yes. The Bible does document the keeping of some animals that gave no useful services.
In II Chronicles, chapter 9, verse 21 we read that King Solomon had ships that went abroad for trading. Every three years, the ships brought back silver, gold, ivory, peacocks and apes. Historically, this probably was in the 950 to 940s B.C.
The peacocks may have been allowed to wander around Solomon's palace grounds, displaying their plumage before astonished visitors. Perhaps the apes were secured for viewing.
It is possible that some of the peacocks and apes were sold to other rich residents in Israel, wanting novel or "exotic" pets.
As it gives real incidents in the lives of historical people, the Bible inevitably mentions animals. The animals added their small but interesting truths to the total Bible history and message.
Obviously the greatest Bible truth is the gospel promise of Christ. All who believe in Christ and his free offering of forgiveness of sins will have everlasting life in heaven.
Today, that Bible message, with Christ's caring promise, is still changing lives, while introducing souls to eternal salvation. Art Maier is a semi-retired teacher, environmental science specialist and calligrapher. He is a contributing editor to Pen World Magazine and has appeared regularly on the "Pepper & Friends" television show, demonstrating for hand disabled persons and others how to use pens. He is a regular columnist for the Boonville Daily News in Boonville, Mo. He can be contacted at artmaier@sbcglobal.net.