Topical Encyclopedia In the Bible, the ostrich and the owl are both mentioned as creatures of the wilderness, often symbolizing desolation and abandonment. These birds are referenced in various contexts, highlighting their unique characteristics and the symbolic meanings they convey within the biblical narrative.Ostriches The ostrich is noted for its remarkable speed and its seemingly neglectful behavior towards its young. In the Book of Job, the ostrich is described in a passage that emphasizes its lack of wisdom and understanding, yet also its unmatched swiftness: "The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, but cannot compare with the pinions and feathers of the stork. She lays her eggs on the ground and lets them warm in the sand, unmindful that a foot may crush them, that some wild animal may trample them. She treats her young harshly, as if they were not hers; she cares not that her labor was in vain, for God did not endow her with wisdom or give her a share of understanding. Yet when she spreads her feathers to run, she laughs at horse and rider" (Job 39:13-18). This passage highlights the ostrich's lack of maternal instinct, which is contrasted with its ability to outrun many threats. The ostrich's behavior serves as a metaphor for folly and neglect, yet it also demonstrates the diversity of God's creation, where each creature has its own strengths and weaknesses. In the prophetic literature, the ostrich is often associated with desolation. Isaiah speaks of the desolation of Edom, where "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. There the owl will nest and lay eggs, hatch them, and care for her young under the shadow of her wings; there too the falcons will gather, each with its mate" (Isaiah 34:14-15). Here, the presence of the ostrich in a desolate land underscores the complete abandonment and ruin that has befallen the area. Owl The owl is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of loneliness and desolation. In the Psalms, the psalmist laments, "I am like an owl of the wilderness, like a little owl of the wasteland" (Psalm 102:6). This imagery conveys a sense of isolation and sorrow, as the owl is depicted as dwelling in deserted places, far from human habitation. The owl's association with desolation is further emphasized in the prophetic books. In Isaiah's prophecy against Babylon, the owl is listed among the creatures that will inhabit the ruins: "But desert creatures will lie down there, and their houses will be full of owls; ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about" (Isaiah 13:21). Similarly, in the judgment against Edom, the owl is again mentioned as a resident of the desolate land (Isaiah 34:11). In Levitical law, the owl is classified among the unclean birds that the Israelites were forbidden to eat: "These are the birds you are to detest and not eat because they are detestable: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, the red kite, any kind of black kite, any kind of raven, the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk" (Leviticus 11:13-16). This classification underscores the owl's role as a creature of the night and its association with uncleanliness in the cultural context of ancient Israel. Overall, the biblical references to ostriches and owls serve to illustrate themes of desolation, folly, and the diversity of God's creation. These birds, with their unique characteristics and habitats, are woven into the biblical narrative to convey deeper spiritual truths and moral lessons. Nave's Topical Index Leviticus 11:16And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind, Nave's Topical Index Deuteronomy 14:15 Job 30:29 Isaiah 43:20 Jeremiah 50:39 Micah 1:8 Strong's Hebrew 3284. yaanah -- perhaps greed... of yaen Definition perhaps greed NASB Word Usage ostrich (2), ostriches (5), ostriches* (1). owl. Feminine of ya'en, and meaning the same -- + owl. ... /hebrew/3284.htm - 6k 1323. bath -- daughter Library Statement of the Reasons Wherefore the Matters, Treated of Shortly ... Isaiah's Discourse Answer to Eunomius' Second Book . Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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