Proverbs xxiii. 32. & Isai. xi. 8. צפעני or צפעREGULUS, a sort of Serpent, call’d also BASILISCUS, (which see). St. Jerom has render’d the Hebrew Word Zipphoni, by Regulus; which the Greeks have sometimes translated by Cerastes, and sometimes by Aspis. See, for Example, Prov. xxiii. 32. Isai. xi. 8. Jerem. viii. 17. The Hebrew Word Saraph, is render’d in Isaiah by Regulus1, which signifies a Flying Serpent; of which we have treated under BRAZEN SERPENT. As for Zipphoni, it rather signifies the Basilisk2. See Bochart.
Regulus is also taken for a Little King, a Tributary Prince, that depends upon another. As for Example, Josh. xiii. 3. Vulg. Quinque Regulos Philistinorum.
Regulus is also put for an Officer of the King: As in John iv. 46, 49. Vulg. Erat quidam Regulus. The Greek has Basilicos3, which may be translated by Regius, or Palatinus4.
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