Deuteronomy 14:16
New International Version
the little owl, the great owl, the white owl,

New Living Translation
the little owl, the great owl, the barn owl,

English Standard Version
the little owl and the short-eared owl, the barn owl

Berean Standard Bible
the little owl, the great owl, the white owl,

King James Bible
The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,

New King James Version
the little owl, the screech owl, the white owl,

New American Standard Bible
the little owl, the great owl, the white owl,

NASB 1995
the little owl, the great owl, the white owl,

NASB 1977
the little owl, the great owl, the white owl,

Legacy Standard Bible
the little owl, the great owl, the white owl,

Amplified Bible
the little owl, the great owl, the long-eared owl,

Christian Standard Bible
little owls, long-eared owls, barn owls,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
the little owl, the long-eared owl, the white owl,

American Standard Version
the little owl, and the great owl, and the horned owl,

English Revised Version
the little owl, and the great owl, and the horned owl;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
little owls, great owls, barn owls,

International Standard Version
the little owl, the great owl, the horned owl,

Majority Standard Bible
the little owl, the great owl, the white owl,

NET Bible
the little owl, the long-eared owl, the white owl,

New Heart English Bible
the little owl, and the great owl, and the horned owl,

Webster's Bible Translation
The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,

World English Bible
the little owl, the great owl, the horned owl,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
the little owl, and the great owl, and the waterhen,

Young's Literal Translation
the little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,

Smith's Literal Translation
The cormorant, and the ibis and the heron,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The heron, and the swan, and the stork,

Catholic Public Domain Version
the heron, and the swan, and the ibis,

New American Bible
the little owl, the screech owl, the barn owl,

New Revised Standard Version
the little owl and the great owl, the water hen
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The stork, the hoopoe after its kind,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the stork and the hoopoe with its kinds,
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
the little owl, and the great owl, and the horned owl;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and the heron, and the swan, and the stork,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Clean and Unclean Animals
15the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, 16 the little owl, the great owl, the white owl, 17the desert owl, the osprey, the cormorant,…

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 2:20
In that day men will cast away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and gold—the idols they made to worship.

Jeremiah 4:13
Behold, he advances like the clouds, his chariots like the whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined!

Ezekiel 13:20
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: See, I am against the magic charms with which you ensnare souls like birds, and I will tear them from your arms. So I will free the souls you have ensnared like birds.

Hosea 9:11
Ephraim’s glory will fly away like a bird, with no birth, no pregnancy, and no conception.

Zephaniah 1:3
“I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, and the idols with their wicked worshipers. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.

Genesis 7:14
they and every kind of wild animal, livestock, crawling creature, bird, and winged creature.

Job 39:13-18
The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, but cannot match the pinions and feathers of the stork. / For she leaves her eggs on the ground and lets them warm in the sand. / She forgets that a foot may crush them, or a wild animal may trample them. ...

Psalm 104:17
where the birds build their nests; the stork makes her home in the cypresses.

Proverbs 30:17
As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.

Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Luke 12:24
Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds!

Acts 10:12-14
It contained all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, as well as birds of the air. / Then a voice said to him: “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!” / “No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

Romans 1:23
and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

1 Corinthians 15:39
Not all flesh is the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another, and fish another.


Treasury of Scripture

The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,

the swan.

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Hen Horned Ibis Little Owl Swan Water Water-Hen White
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Hen Horned Ibis Little Owl Swan Water Water-Hen White
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 little owl
The little owl is mentioned among the unclean birds that the Israelites were forbidden to eat. In the ancient Near Eastern context, owls were often associated with desolation and were considered unclean due to their nocturnal habits and scavenging nature. This prohibition reflects the broader Levitical laws that aimed to distinguish the Israelites from surrounding nations by their dietary practices. The little owl, being a bird of prey, fits into the category of animals that do not conform to the dietary laws outlined in Leviticus 11. The owl's symbolism of wisdom in other cultures contrasts with its negative connotations in the Hebrew Bible.

the great owl
The great owl, like the little owl, is listed among the birds that are not to be consumed. This reflects the broader principle of separation and holiness that God commanded the Israelites to observe. The great owl's presence in desolate places and its eerie calls at night may have contributed to its perception as unclean. In biblical symbolism, the owl is often associated with judgment and desolation, as seen in passages like Isaiah 34:11, where owls inhabit the ruins of Edom. This imagery reinforces the theme of divine judgment and the consequences of disobedience.

the white owl
The white owl, another unclean bird, is included in the list to emphasize the comprehensive nature of the dietary laws. The specific mention of different types of owls highlights the attention to detail in the Mosaic Law. The white owl's nocturnal nature and association with death and the underworld in various ancient cultures may have contributed to its classification as unclean. This prohibition serves as a reminder of the Israelites' call to be a holy people, set apart for God's purposes. The emphasis on purity and separation from pagan practices is a recurring theme throughout the Torah, underscoring the covenant relationship between God and His people.

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. Dietary Laws
Specific instructions given by God regarding what the Israelites can and cannot eat.

5. Owls
Birds listed as unclean, symbolizing creatures that are not to be consumed by the Israelites.
Teaching Points
Understanding God's Holiness
The dietary laws remind us of God's holiness and the call for His people to be set apart. We should strive to live lives that reflect God's holiness in all areas, not just dietary choices.

Symbolism of Purity
The unclean animals symbolize spiritual impurity. We should examine our lives for areas that may be spiritually unclean and seek God's cleansing.

Obedience to God's Commands
The Israelites were called to obey God's laws as an act of faith and trust. Similarly, we are called to obey God's Word, trusting in His wisdom and provision.

Cultural and Historical Context
Understanding the historical context of these laws helps us appreciate the cultural significance and the reasons behind God's instructions to the Israelites.

Freedom in Christ
While the dietary laws were specific to the Israelites, Christians are reminded of the freedom found in Christ, who fulfills the law. This freedom calls us to live responsibly and in a way that honors God.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
the little owl,
הַכּ֥וֹס (hak·kō·ws)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3563: A cup, a lot, some unclean bird, an owl

the great owl,
הַיַּנְשׁ֖וּף (hay·yan·šūp̄)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3244: (a ceremonially unclean bird) perhaps an owl

the white owl,
וְהַתִּנְשָֽׁמֶת׃ (wə·hat·tin·šā·meṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8580: A hard breather, two unclean creatures, a lizard and a, bird, the tree-toad and the water-hen


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 14:16 The little owl and the great owl (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 14:15
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