The Greek word alṓpēx (ἀλώπηξ) means fox. In the Gospels it appears in Jesus's description of Herod Antipas as 'that fox' and in His own declaration that He has no place to lay His head.
Jesus's use of alṓpēx for Herod Antipas ('Go tell that fox...') in Luke 13:32 is a stunning display of prophetic courage. The fox represented cunning, destructive craftiness that ravaged vineyards (Song 2:15) — small but devastating. Jesus refuses to be intimidated by this political animal and keeps moving toward Jerusalem and His cross. The second appearance is equally poignant: 'Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head' (Luke 9:58). The Creator of every den and nest became homeless in His own creation — the depth of His incarnational self-emptying.