Deuteronomy 14:15
New International Version
the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,

New Living Translation
the eagle owl, the short-eared owl, the seagull, hawks of all kinds,

English Standard Version
the ostrich, the nighthawk, the sea gull, the hawk of any kind;

Berean Standard Bible
the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,

King James Bible
And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,

New King James Version
the ostrich, the short-eared owl, the sea gull, and the hawk after their kinds;

New American Standard Bible
and the ostrich, the owl, the seagull, and the hawk in their kinds,

NASB 1995
and the ostrich, the owl, the sea gull, and the hawk in their kinds,

NASB 1977
and the ostrich, the owl, the sea gull, and the hawk in their kinds,

Legacy Standard Bible
and the ostrich, the owl, the gull, and the hawk in their kinds,

Amplified Bible
and the ostrich, the owl, the seagull, the hawk of any variety,

Christian Standard Bible
ostriches, short-eared owls, gulls, any kind of hawk,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
the ostrich, the short-eared owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,

American Standard Version
and the ostrich, and the night-hawk, and the sea-mew, and the hawk after its kind,

English Revised Version
and the ostrich, and the night hawk, and the seamew, and the hawk after its kind;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
ostriches, nighthawks, seagulls, all types of falcons,

International Standard Version
the ostrich, night hawk, seagull, any kind of falcon,

Majority Standard Bible
the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,

NET Bible
the ostrich, the owl, the seagull, the falcon after its species,

New Heart English Bible
and the ostrich, and the owl, and the seagull, and the hawk after its kind,

Webster's Bible Translation
And the owl, and the night-hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,

World English Bible
the ostrich, the owl, the seagull, the hawk of any kind,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the ostrich, and the nightjar [[or male ostrich]], and the seagull, and the hawk after its kind;

Young's Literal Translation
and the owl, and the night-hawk, and the cuckoo, and the hawk after its kind;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the daughter of the ostrich, and the night-hawk, and the sea-gull, and the hawk after his kind,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the ostrich, and the owl, and the larus, and the hawk according to its kind:

Catholic Public Domain Version
and the ostrich, and the owl, and the gull, and the hawk, according to their kind,

New American Bible
the eagle owl, the kestrel, the long-eared owl, all species of hawks,

New Revised Standard Version
the ostrich, the nighthawk, the sea gull, the hawk of any kind;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The little owl, the night hawk, and the bee eater,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the owl and the pelican and the bee eater,
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and the ostrich, and the night-hawk, and the sea-mew, and the hawk after its kinds;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and the sparrow, and the owl, and the seamew,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Clean and Unclean Animals
14any kind of raven, 15 the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, 16the little owl, the great owl, the white owl,…

Cross References
Leviticus 11:13-19
Additionally, you are to detest the following birds, and they must not be eaten because they are detestable: the eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture, / the kite, any kind of falcon, / any kind of raven, ...

Isaiah 34:11
The desert owl and screech owl will possess it, and the great owl and raven will dwell in it. The LORD will stretch out over Edom a measuring line of chaos and a plumb line of destruction.

Job 30:29
I have become a brother of jackals, a companion of ostriches.

Isaiah 13:21
But desert creatures will lie down there, and howling creatures will fill her houses. Ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about.

Jeremiah 50:39
So the desert creatures and hyenas will live there and ostriches will dwell there. It will never again be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation.

Isaiah 34:14
The desert creatures will meet with hyenas, and one wild goat will call to another. There the night creature will settle and find her place of repose.

Isaiah 43:20
The beasts of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I provide water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people.

Psalm 102:6
I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins.

Zephaniah 2:14
Herds will lie down in her midst, creatures of every kind. Both the desert owl and screech owl will roost atop her pillars. Their calls will sound from the window, but desolation will lie on the threshold, for He will expose the beams of cedar.

Isaiah 14:23
“I will make her a place for owls and for swamplands; I will sweep her away with the broom of destruction,” declares the LORD of Hosts.

Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

Luke 13:34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

Revelation 18:2
And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast.

Revelation 19:17-18
Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice to all the birds flying overhead, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, / so that you may eat the flesh of kings and commanders and mighty men, of horses and riders, of everyone slave and free, small and great.”

Matthew 24:28
Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.


Treasury of Scripture

And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,

Job 30:29
I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls.

the night.

the cuckow.

Jump to Previous
Birds Cuckoo Cuckow Hawk Horned Kind Kinds Male Night Nighthawk Night-Hawk Ostrich Owl Screech Sea Sea-Hawk Sea-Mew Sort
Jump to Next
Birds Cuckoo Cuckow Hawk Horned Kind Kinds Male Night Nighthawk Night-Hawk Ostrich Owl Screech Sea Sea-Hawk Sea-Mew Sort
Deuteronomy 14
1. God's children are not to disfigure themselves in mourning
3. What may and may not be eaten
4. of animals
9. of fishes
11. of fowls
21. That which dies of itself may not be eaten
22. Tithes of Divine Service
23. Tithes and firstborns to be eaten before the Lord
28. The third year's tithe of alms and charity














the ostrich
The ostrich is a large, flightless bird native to Africa and parts of the Middle East. In biblical times, it was known for its speed and size. The ostrich is mentioned in several other scriptures, such as Job 39:13-18, where its lack of wisdom is highlighted, yet its ability to run swiftly is noted. The ostrich's inclusion in the list of unclean animals may be due to its scavenging habits and its environment, which often includes desolate and barren areas, symbolizing desolation and judgment in biblical literature.

the screech owl
The screech owl, often associated with desolation and ruin, is mentioned in Isaiah 34:14, where it is depicted as inhabiting desolate places. This bird is often linked with night and darkness, symbolizing spiritual desolation or judgment. The screech owl's presence in the list of unclean animals may reflect its nocturnal nature and association with unclean or desolate environments, which were often seen as spiritually impure.

the gull
The gull is a seabird commonly found along coastlines and is known for its scavenging behavior. In biblical times, gulls would have been familiar to those living near the Mediterranean Sea. Their inclusion in the list of unclean animals may be due to their diet, which often includes carrion and refuse, making them ritually impure. The gull's presence in this list underscores the importance of dietary laws in maintaining ritual purity and separation from practices considered unclean.

any kind of hawk
Hawks are birds of prey known for their keen eyesight and hunting prowess. In the ancient Near East, hawks were often associated with power and swiftness. The prohibition against eating hawks and similar birds of prey may be linked to their carnivorous diet, which includes other animals considered unclean. This reflects the broader biblical principle of distinguishing between clean and unclean, emphasizing the need for holiness and separation from practices that could lead to spiritual impurity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Deuteronomy, who is delivering God's laws to the Israelites.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, receiving instructions on clean and unclean animals.

3. Promised Land
The destination of the Israelites, where they are to live according to God's laws.

4. Ostrich, Screech Owl, Gull, Hawk
Specific birds listed as unclean, not to be eaten by the Israelites.
Teaching Points
Holiness and Distinction
The dietary laws were a means for Israel to remain distinct and holy, set apart for God. As Christians, we are called to live lives that reflect God's holiness and distinctiveness in our actions and choices.

Obedience to God's Commands
The Israelites were to obey these laws as a sign of their covenant relationship with God. Today, obedience to God's Word remains a crucial aspect of our faith journey.

Understanding Context
Recognizing the cultural and historical context of these laws helps us understand their purpose and how they point to deeper spiritual truths.

Spiritual Discernment
Just as the Israelites needed discernment in their dietary choices, Christians are called to discernment in spiritual matters, distinguishing between what is beneficial and what is not.

Symbolism of Purity
The unclean animals symbolize spiritual impurity. Christians are reminded to pursue purity in thought, word, and deed, reflecting the purity of Christ.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
the ostrich,
בַּ֣ת (baṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

the owl,
הַתַּחְמָ֖ס (hat·taḥ·mās)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8464: A species of unclean bird, an owl

the seagull,
הַשָּׁ֑חַף (haš·šā·ḥap̄)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7828: A sea mew, gull

any kind
לְמִינֵֽהוּ׃ (lə·mî·nê·hū)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4327: A sort, species

of hawk,
הַנֵּ֖ץ (han·nêṣ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5322: A flower, a hawk


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 14:15 And the ostrich and the owl (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 14:14
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