Kites are mentioned in the Bible as part of the avian fauna of the ancient Near East. These birds of prey are known for their keen eyesight and ability to soar gracefully in the sky. In the biblical context, kites are often associated with unclean animals, as outlined in the dietary laws given to the Israelites.

Biblical References:

1. Leviticus 11:13-14 : "Additionally, you are to detest the following birds, and they must not be eaten because they are detestable: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, the kite, any kind of falcon." In this passage, kites are listed among the birds that are considered unclean and are not to be consumed by the Israelites. This prohibition is part of the broader Levitical dietary laws that distinguish between clean and unclean animals.

2. Deuteronomy 14:12-13 : "But these you may not eat: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, the red kite, the black kite, and any kind of falcon." Here, the kite is again mentioned in the context of dietary restrictions. The repetition of these laws in Deuteronomy underscores their importance in maintaining the holiness and distinctiveness of the Israelite community.

Characteristics and Symbolism:

Kites are medium-sized birds of prey, known for their forked tails and long wings. They are often seen gliding effortlessly in the sky, using thermal currents to stay aloft with minimal effort. In the biblical world, kites would have been a common sight, especially in open areas where they could hunt for small mammals, insects, and carrion.

The inclusion of kites in the list of unclean birds may be attributed to their scavenging habits, as they often feed on carrion, which is associated with death and impurity in the biblical tradition. The dietary laws served not only as a means of physical health but also as a spiritual discipline, reminding the Israelites of their covenant relationship with God and their call to be a holy nation.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, birds of prey like kites were often seen as symbols of power and might due to their hunting prowess and dominance in the sky. However, in the biblical context, the focus is on their role within the created order and the specific instructions given to the Israelites regarding their consumption.

The prohibition against eating kites and other unclean birds reflects a broader theological theme in the Bible: the call to discernment and obedience to God's commandments. By adhering to these dietary laws, the Israelites demonstrated their commitment to living according to God's will and maintaining their distinct identity among the nations.

Conclusion:

The mention of kites in the Bible, though brief, provides insight into the complex relationship between the Israelites and the natural world. It highlights the importance of obedience to divine commandments and the symbolic role of animals in conveying spiritual truths.

The Very Names of Father and Son Prove the Personal Distinction of ...
... But we must inquire whether He has really done it. God could, if He had liked, have
furnished man with wings to fly with, just as He gave wings to kites. ...
/.../tertullian/against praxeas/chapter x the very names of.htm

Preface
... GRENVILLE KLEISER. NEW YORK CITY, MAY, 1916. Boys flying kites haul in their
white-wing'd birds: You can't do that way when you're flying words. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/preface.htm

Life from the Dead
... different. The dead that lie on the battle-field, torn of dogs or kites,
rotting, corrupting in the sun, what a horrible sight! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/life from the dead.htm

Argument: He Briefly Shows, Moreover, what Ridiculous, Obscene ...
... Mice, swallows, kites, know that they have no feeling: they gnaw them, they trample
on them, they sit upon them; and unless you drive them off, they build ...
/.../felix/the octavius of minucius felix/chapter xxiv argument he briefly shows.htm

Isaiah's Discourse
... There shall the arrowsnake make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her
shadow: yea, there shall the kites be gathered, every one with her mate. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/v isaiahs discourse.htm

The Fiercest Thing in the Bible
... Isaac could not give it to Esau, because it had passed beyond his control. "Boys
flying kites, haul in their white-winged birds; You can't do that way when you ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/the fiercest thing in the.htm

The Judicial Retribution of These Migrations Refuted with Raillery ...
... the most splendid dishes of a Sylla, finds its obsequies in a banquet, is devoured
by respectable (mouths) on a par with itself, rather than by kites and wolves ...
/.../a treatise on the soul/chapter xxxiii the judicial retribution of.htm

Ambassadors for Christ
... 19. A common object of hatred cements antagonists into strange alliance.
Hawks and kites join in assailing a dove. Pharisees and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/ambassadors for christ.htm

The Sheltering Wing
... are guarded. Whatever kites may be in the sky, whatever stoats and weasels
may be in the hedges, the brood are safe there. The image ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the sheltering wing.htm

Letter Lxviii. To Castrutius.
... of heathens, Jews, heretics and men of various opinions rolling in the mire of lust,
bathed in blood, surpassing wolves in ferocity and kites in rapacity, and ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxviii to castrutius.htm

Kites (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Kites (1 Occurrence). ... Yes, the kites will be gathered
there, every one with her mate. (WEB JPS ASV RSV). ...
/k/kites.htm - 6k

Kite (3 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) The brill. 8. (vi) To raise money by kites; as, kiting transactions. See
Kite, 6. 9. (n.) The belly. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. KITE. ...
/k/kite.htm - 9k

Serpent (40 Occurrences)
... owl," only in Isaiah 34:15, "There shall the dart-snake make her nest, and lay,
and hatch, and gather under her shade; yea, there shall the kites be gathered ...
/s/serpent.htm - 46k

Kithlish (1 Occurrence)

/k/kithlish.htm - 7k

Dart-snake (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 34:15 There shall the dart-snake make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather
under her shade; yea, there shall the kites be gathered, every one with ...
/d/dart-snake.htm - 7k

Mate (9 Occurrences)
... gather under her shade. Yes, the kites will be gathered there, every one
with her mate. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV NIV). Isaiah 34:16 ...
/m/mate.htm - 10k

Satyr
... there shall the kites (dayyoth) be gathered, every one with her mate." The question
is whether sa`ir and se`irim in these passages stand for real or for ...
/s/satyr.htm - 12k

Eagle (27 Occurrences)
... Of perhaps a half-dozen, they recognized three eagles, they knew three vultures,
four or five falcons, and several kites; but almost every Biblical reference ...
/e/eagle.htm - 28k

Brood (19 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 34:15 There shall the dart-snake make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather
under her shade; yea, there shall the kites be gathered, every one with ...
/b/brood.htm - 13k

Arrow (34 Occurrences)
... gather under her shade. Yes, the kites will be gathered there, every one
with her mate. (WEB JPS BBE DBY). Isaiah 37:33 Therefore ...
/a/arrow.htm - 17k

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