Deuteronomy 14:18
New International Version
the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe and the bat.

New Living Translation
the stork, herons of all kinds, the hoopoe, and the bat.

English Standard Version
the stork, the heron of any kind; the hoopoe and the bat.

Berean Standard Bible
the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, or the bat.

King James Bible
And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.

New King James Version
the stork, the heron after its kind, and the hoopoe and the bat.

New American Standard Bible
the stork, and the heron in their kinds, and the hoopoe and the bat.

NASB 1995
the stork, and the heron in their kinds, and the hoopoe and the bat.

NASB 1977
the stork, and the heron in their kinds, and the hoopoe and the bat.

Legacy Standard Bible
the stork, and the heron in their kinds, and the hoopoe and the bat.

Amplified Bible
the stork, and the heron of any variety, and the hoopoe, and the bat.

Christian Standard Bible
storks, any kind of heron, hoopoes, and bats.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat.

American Standard Version
and the stork, and the heron after its kind, and the hoopoe, and the bat.

English Revised Version
and the stork, and the heron after its kind, and the hoopoe, and the bat.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
storks, all types of herons, hoopoes, and bats.

International Standard Version
the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat.

Majority Standard Bible
the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, or the bat.

NET Bible
the stork, the heron after its species, the hoopoe, the bat,

New Heart English Bible
and the stork, and the heron after its kind, and the hoopoe, and the bat.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.

World English Bible
the stork, the heron after its kind, the hoopoe, and the bat.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the stork, and the heron after its kind, and the hoopoe, and the bat.

Young's Literal Translation
and the stork, and the heron after its kind, and the lapwing, and the bat;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the stork, and the sand-piper, according to her kind; the hoopoe and the bat.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The bittern, and the charadrion, every one in their kind: the hoop also and the bat.

Catholic Public Domain Version
the pelican and the plover, each in their kind, likewise the crested hoopoe and the bat.

New American Bible
the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat.

New Revised Standard Version
the stork, the heron of any kind; the hoopoe and the bat.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And all the brood of these birds is unclean for you, you shall not eat them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And all offspring of such a bird is defiled to you; they shall not be eaten.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and the stork, and the heron after its kinds, and the hoopoe, and the bat.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and the pelican, and the diver and the like to it, and the red-bill and the bat.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Clean and Unclean Animals
17the desert owl, the osprey, the cormorant, 18the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, or the bat. 19All flying insects are unclean for you; they may not be eaten.…

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, ...

Acts 10:12-15
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.” ...

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

Leviticus 20:25
You are therefore to distinguish between clean and unclean animals and birds. Do not become contaminated by any animal or bird, or by anything that crawls on the ground; I have set these apart as unclean for you.

Ezekiel 22:26
Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things. They make no distinction between the holy and the common, and they fail to distinguish between the clean and the unclean. They disregard My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.

Isaiah 66:17
“Those who consecrate and purify themselves to enter the groves—to follow one in the center of those who eat the flesh of swine and vermin and rats—will perish together,” declares the LORD.

Mark 7:18-19
“Are you still so dull?” He asked. “Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, / because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.)

Matthew 15:11
A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”

Romans 14:14
I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.

1 Timothy 4:4-5
For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, / because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Colossians 2:16-17
Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. / These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.

Genesis 1:21
So God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters teemed according to their kinds, and every winged bird after its kind. And God saw that it was good.

Genesis 8:19
Every living creature, every creeping thing, and every bird—everything that moves upon the earth—came out of the ark, kind by kind.

1 Corinthians 10:25-26
Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, / for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”

Acts 15:28-29
It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements: / You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.


Treasury of Scripture

And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.

Jump to Previous
Bat Birds Heron Hoopoe Kind Kinds Lapwing Sort Stork
Jump to Next
Bat Birds Heron Hoopoe Kind Kinds Lapwing Sort Stork
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 stork
The stork is mentioned in the context of dietary laws given to the Israelites. Storks are large, migratory birds known for their long legs and necks. In biblical times, they were common in the regions of the Middle East. The stork is often associated with themes of care and nurturing, as seen in Job 39:13-18, where the stork is noted for its devotion to its young. However, in the context of Deuteronomy 14:18, the stork is classified as unclean, likely due to its diet, which includes carrion and other unclean animals. This classification underscores the importance of distinguishing between clean and unclean as a means of maintaining holiness and separation from pagan practices.

any kind of heron
The heron is another bird listed as unclean. Herons are wading birds found in marshes and wetlands, and they feed on fish and small aquatic creatures. The inclusion of "any kind of heron" suggests a broad category, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the dietary laws. The heron's habitat and feeding habits may have contributed to its unclean status, as it often dwells in environments considered impure. This reflects the broader biblical principle of avoiding contamination, both physically and spiritually, as seen in Leviticus 11, where similar dietary laws are outlined.

the hoopoe
The hoopoe is a distinctive bird known for its striking appearance and unique call. It is characterized by a crown of feathers and is found in the Middle East and Africa. The hoopoe's diet includes insects and larvae, which may have influenced its classification as unclean. The bird's behavior and habitat could symbolize the need for the Israelites to avoid practices and environments that lead to spiritual impurity. The hoopoe's mention in this list highlights the detailed nature of the dietary laws, which served to set Israel apart from other nations.

or the bat
The bat is the only mammal included in this list of unclean birds, highlighting the unique nature of biblical taxonomy. Bats are nocturnal and often associated with darkness, which can symbolize spiritual impurity or evil in biblical literature. The bat's inclusion underscores the importance of avoiding creatures that dwell in darkness, aligning with the biblical theme of light versus darkness, as seen in John 1:5. The classification of the bat as unclean serves as a reminder of the call to live in the light and avoid associations with spiritual darkness.

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 dietary laws.

3. Promised Land
The land of Canaan, where the Israelites are headed and where these laws will be observed.

4. Mount Sinai
The place where Moses received the Law from God, which includes dietary instructions.

5. Wilderness Journey
The context in which these laws were given, as the Israelites journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land.
Teaching Points
Understanding Holiness
The dietary laws were a means to set Israel apart as a holy nation. As Christians, we are called to live distinct lives that reflect God's holiness.

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 vital aspect of our faith journey.

Symbolism of Purity
The distinction between clean and unclean animals symbolizes the need for spiritual purity. We are called to examine our hearts and lives for anything that may defile us spiritually.

Cultural Context
Understanding the cultural and historical context of these laws helps us appreciate their significance and how they pointed to a greater spiritual truth fulfilled in Christ.

Freedom in Christ
While the dietary laws were specific to Israel, in Christ, we have freedom. However, this freedom should be exercised with love and consideration for others.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
the stork,
וְהַ֣חֲסִידָ֔ה (wə·ha·ḥă·sî·ḏāh)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2624: The kind, bird, a stork

any kind
לְמִינָ֑הּ (lə·mî·nāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4327: A sort, species

of heron,
וְהָאֲנָפָ֖ה (wə·hā·’ă·nā·p̄āh)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 601: An unclean bird, the parrot

the hoopoe,
וְהַדּוּכִיפַ֖ת (wə·had·dū·ḵî·p̄aṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1744: Perhaps hoopoe (a ceremonially unclean bird)

or the bat.
וְהָעֲטַלֵּֽף׃ (wə·hā·‘ă·ṭal·lêp̄)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5847: A bat


Links
Deuteronomy 14:18 NIV
Deuteronomy 14:18 NLT
Deuteronomy 14:18 ESV
Deuteronomy 14:18 NASB
Deuteronomy 14:18 KJV

Deuteronomy 14:18 BibleApps.com
Deuteronomy 14:18 Biblia Paralela
Deuteronomy 14:18 Chinese Bible
Deuteronomy 14:18 French Bible
Deuteronomy 14:18 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Deuteronomy 14:18 And the stork and the heron after (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 14:17
Top of Page
Top of Page