Topical Bible: Vulture: A Carnivorous Bird

◄ Vulture: A Carnivorous Bird ►

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The vulture is a large bird of prey known for its scavenging habits, feeding primarily on carrion. In the Bible, vultures are often mentioned in contexts that highlight their role in the natural order as consumers of dead flesh, symbolizing desolation and divine judgment. The Hebrew word often translated as "vulture" is "da'ah" or "dayyah," though it can also refer to other birds of prey.

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, and any kind of falcon." In the dietary laws given to the Israelites, vultures are listed among the unclean birds, emphasizing their role as scavengers and their association with death and decay.

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." This passage reiterates the prohibition against consuming vultures, reinforcing their status as unclean.

3. Job 28:7 : "No bird of prey knows that path; no falcon’s eye has seen it." While not directly mentioning vultures, this verse alludes to the keen eyesight of birds of prey, including vultures, which are known for their ability to spot carrion from great distances.

4. Isaiah 34:15 : "There the owl will make her nest and lay her eggs; she will hatch and gather her young under her shadow. Even the birds of prey will gather there, each with its mate." This passage describes a scene of desolation where birds of prey, including vultures, inhabit a land laid waste by divine judgment.

5. Matthew 24:28 : "Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather." In this New Testament reference, Jesus uses the imagery of vultures gathering around a carcass to illustrate the inevitability and suddenness of His return, as well as the discernment of signs of the times.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In biblical literature, vultures often symbolize desolation, judgment, and the aftermath of divine retribution. Their presence in prophetic and apocalyptic texts underscores the completeness of God's judgment, as they are depicted as consuming the remains of those who have fallen under divine wrath. The imagery of vultures gathering is used to convey the certainty and thoroughness of God's actions in history.

Cultural and Natural Context:

Vultures are known for their role in the ecosystem as nature's cleanup crew, preventing the spread of disease by consuming dead animals. In the ancient Near East, their presence would have been a common sight, and their behavior would have been well understood by the biblical authors. This natural role is reflected in their symbolic use in Scripture, where they are often associated with death and decay.

Theological Implications:

The mention of vultures in the Bible serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the reality of divine judgment. Their role as unclean animals in the dietary laws of Israel highlights the separation between life and death, purity and impurity. In prophetic literature, vultures are a vivid symbol of the aftermath of God's judgment, serving as a warning to the faithful to remain vigilant and obedient to God's commands.

Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 11:14
And the vulture, and the kite after his kind;
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Deuteronomy 14:13
And the glede, and the kite, and the vulture after his kind,
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Library

The Eagle and Its Brood
... Now, it may come as something of a shock if I say that the bird that is selected
for the comparison is not really the eagle, but one ... the carnivorous vulture. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the eagle and its brood.htm