International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

EVIL-FAVOREDNESS

e-v'-l-fa'-verd-nes

The word is the translation of the Hebrew dabhar ra', lit "evil thing," and refers to the ritual unfitness for sacrifice of any animal which, though included in the class of clean beasts, yet possesses a blemish (see the word), or otherwise lacks beauty of symmetry, or is lean-fleshed (Deuteronomy 17:1 the King James Version; compare "ill blemish," Deuteronomy 15:21). We find these conditions combined in Genesis 41:3, 4, 19, 20, 21, 27, where the seven "ill-favored and lean-fleshed" kine of Pharaoh's dream are mentioned.