Leviticus 11:13
New International Version
“’These are the birds you are to regard as unclean and not eat because they are unclean: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture,

New Living Translation
“These are the birds that are detestable to you. You must never eat them: the griffon vulture, the bearded vulture, the black vulture,

English Standard Version
“And these you shall detest among the birds; they shall not be eaten; they are detestable: the eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture,

Berean Standard Bible
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,

King James Bible
And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,

New King James Version
‘And these you shall regard as an abomination among the birds; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, the vulture, the buzzard,

New American Standard Bible
‘Moreover, these you shall detest among the birds; they are detestable, not to be eaten: the eagle, the vulture, and the buzzard,

NASB 1995
‘These, moreover, you shall detest among the birds; they are abhorrent, not to be eaten: the eagle and the vulture and the buzzard,

NASB 1977
‘These, moreover, you shall detest among the birds; they are abhorrent, not to be eaten: the eagle and the vulture and the buzzard,

Legacy Standard Bible
‘These, moreover, you shall detest among the birds; they shall not be eaten; they are detestable: the eagle and the vulture and the buzzard,

Amplified Bible
‘These you shall detest among the birds; they are not to be eaten, for they are hated things: the eagle and the vulture and the buzzard,

Christian Standard Bible
“You are to abhor these birds. They must not be eaten because they are abhorrent: eagles, bearded vultures, Egyptian vultures,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You are to detest these birds. They must not be eaten because they are detestable: the eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture,

American Standard Version
And these ye shall have in abomination among the birds; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the gier-eagle, and the ospray,

English Revised Version
And these ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the gier eagle, and the ospray;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Here are the kinds of birds you must consider disgusting and must not eat. They are eagles, bearded vultures, black vultures,

International Standard Version
"These are detestable things for you among winged creatures that you are not to eat, because they are detestable for you: the eagle, vulture, osprey,

Majority Standard Bible
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,

NET Bible
"'These you are to detest from among the birds--they must not be eaten, because they are detestable: the griffon vulture, the bearded vulture, the black vulture,

New Heart English Bible
"'These you shall detest among the birds; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the vulture, and the black vulture,

Webster's Bible Translation
And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,

World English Bible
“‘You shall detest these among the birds; they shall not be eaten because they are an abomination: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And these you detest of the bird—they are not eaten, they [are] an abomination: the eagle, and the bearded vulture, and the osprey,

Young's Literal Translation
And these ye do abominate of the fowl; they are not eaten, an abomination they are: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,

Smith's Literal Translation
And these ye shall abhor from the birds; they shall not be eaten; they are an abomination: the eagle, the sea eagle, and the osprey.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Of birds these are they which you must not eat, and which are to be avoided by you: The eagle, and the griffon, and the osprey,

Catholic Public Domain Version
These are those things among the birds which you must not eat, and which are to be avoided by you: the eagle, and the griffin, and the osprey,

New American Bible
Of the birds, these you shall loathe; they shall not be eaten, they are loathsome: the griffon vulture, the bearded vulture, the black vulture,

New Revised Standard Version
These you shall regard as detestable among the birds. They shall not be eaten; they are an abomination: the eagle, the vulture, the osprey,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And these you shall abhor among the birds; they shall not be eaten, because they are unclean: the eagle and the vulture

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And reject these things from the birds and they shall not be eaten because they are defiled: the eagle and the vulture,
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And these ye shall have in detestation among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are a detestable thing: the great vulture, and the bearded vulture, and the ospray;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And these are the things which ye shall abhor of birds, and they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle and the ossifrage, and the sea-eagle.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Clean and Unclean Animals
12Everything in the water that does not have fins and scales shall be detestable to you. 13Additionally, 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, 14the kite, any kind of falcon,…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 14:12-18
but these you may not eat: the eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture, / the red kite, the falcon, any kind of kite, / any kind of raven, ...

Isaiah 34:11-15
The desert owl and screech owl will possess it, and the great owl and raven will dwell in it. The LORD will stretch out over Edom a measuring line of chaos and a plumb line of destruction. / No nobles will be left to proclaim a king, and all her princes will come to nothing. / Her towers will be overgrown with thorns, her fortresses with thistles and briers. She will become a haunt for jackals, an abode for ostriches. ...

Job 39:26-30
Does the hawk take flight by your understanding and spread his wings toward the south? / Does the eagle soar at your command and make his nest on high? / He dwells on a cliff and lodges there; his stronghold is on a rocky crag. ...

Ezekiel 39:4
On the mountains of Israel you will fall—you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to every kind of ravenous bird and wild beast.

Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

Luke 13:34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

Revelation 18:2
And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast.

Isaiah 13:21-22
But desert creatures will lie down there, and howling creatures will fill her houses. Ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about. / Hyenas will howl in her fortresses and jackals in her luxurious palaces. Babylon’s time is at hand, and her days will not be prolonged.

Jeremiah 50:39
So the desert creatures and hyenas will live there and ostriches will dwell there. It will never again be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation.

Zephaniah 2:14
Herds will lie down in her midst, creatures of every kind. Both the desert owl and screech owl will roost atop her pillars. Their calls will sound from the window, but desolation will lie on the threshold, for He will expose the beams of cedar.

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

Psalm 102:6
I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins.

Isaiah 14:23
“I will make her a place for owls and for swamplands; I will sweep her away with the broom of destruction,” declares the LORD of Hosts.

Matthew 24:28
Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.

Luke 17:37
“Where, Lord?” they asked. Jesus answered, “Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.”


Treasury of Scripture

And these are they which you shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,

Deuteronomy 14:12-20
But these are they of which ye shall not eat: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray, …

Job 28:7
There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen:

Job 38:41
Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

the ossifrage.

Jump to Previous
Abhorrent Abominate Abomination Bearded Birds Black Buzzard Detest Detestable Detestation Disgusting Eagle Eat Eaten Food Fowl Fowls Gier-Eagle Great Moreover Ospray Osprey Ossifrage Sea-Eagle Used Vulture
Jump to Next
Abhorrent Abominate Abomination Bearded Birds Black Buzzard Detest Detestable Detestation Disgusting Eagle Eat Eaten Food Fowl Fowls Gier-Eagle Great Moreover Ospray Osprey Ossifrage Sea-Eagle Used Vulture
Leviticus 11
1. What animals may be eaten
4. and what may not be eaten
9. What fishes
13. What fowls
29. The creeping things which are unclean














Additionally, you are to detest
The Hebrew word for "detest" is "שָׁקַץ" (shaqats), which conveys a strong sense of abhorrence or loathing. In the context of Levitical law, this term underscores the importance of maintaining ritual purity and holiness. The Israelites were called to be set apart, and this command reflects God's desire for His people to distinguish themselves from surrounding nations through their dietary practices. The use of "detest" emphasizes the seriousness with which these laws were to be observed, serving as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

the following birds
The term "birds" here is translated from the Hebrew word "עוֹף" (oph), which generally refers to flying creatures. In the ancient Near Eastern context, birds often symbolized various spiritual and cultural meanings. However, in Leviticus, the focus is on distinguishing between clean and unclean animals. The specific birds listed are considered unclean, not necessarily due to their nature, but because of the symbolic representation of purity and impurity in the Israelite community. This distinction is part of the broader Levitical code that seeks to instill a sense of holiness in everyday life.

and they must not be eaten
This phrase is a direct command, reflecting the dietary restrictions placed upon the Israelites. The prohibition against eating certain birds is part of the larger framework of the Mosaic Law, which was given to guide the Israelites in living a life that is pleasing to God. The dietary laws served not only as a means of physical health but also as a spiritual discipline, teaching obedience and reverence for God's commandments. By abstaining from these birds, the Israelites demonstrated their commitment to God's covenant and their identity as His chosen people.

because they are detestable
The repetition of the concept of detestability reinforces the gravity of the command. The Hebrew root "שֶׁקֶץ" (sheqets) is used here, which is closely related to "shaqats" and carries a similar connotation of something that is abominable or repulsive. This repetition serves to emphasize the importance of maintaining the boundaries set by God. In a broader theological sense, it reflects the holiness of God and the call for His people to reflect that holiness in their conduct and choices.

the eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture
These specific birds are mentioned as examples of unclean birds. The eagle, known for its strength and majesty, is often seen as a symbol of power in various cultures. However, in the Levitical context, it is deemed unclean, possibly due to its predatory nature. The bearded vulture and the black vulture are scavengers, feeding on carrion, which may symbolize death and impurity. By listing these birds, the text provides clear guidelines for the Israelites, helping them to navigate the complexities of maintaining ritual purity. This list serves as a practical application of the broader principle of holiness, guiding the Israelites in their daily lives and interactions with the natural world.

(13) Ye shall have in abomination among the fowls.--The third of the four great divisions of the animal kingdom--viz., the birds of the air, in accordance with their proper sequence--is discussed in Leviticus 11:13-19. It will be seen that, whilst in the case of the two preceding divisions of the animal kingdom certain signs are given by which to distinguish the clean from the unclean animals, in the division before us a list is simply given of the birds which are unclean and prohibited. This absence of all criteria is all the more remarkable, since after some of the birds mentioned it is added "after his kind," or "after her kind" (see Leviticus 11:14-16; Leviticus 11:19), thus showing that kindred species were included in the prohibition, and that it was left to those who had to administer this law, to lay down some general signs by which the proscribed species are to be known. Hence the following rules obtained during the second Temple. Those birds are unclean (1) which snatch their food in the air, and devour it without first dropping it on the ground; (2) which strike with their talons and press down with their foot the prey to the ground, and then tear off pieces with their beak for consumption; (3) which "divide their feet" when standing on an extended rope or branch, placing two toes on the one side and two on the other, and not three in front and one behind; and (4) whose eggs are equally narrow or equally round at both ends, and have the white in the middle and the yolk around it.

The eagle.--As the king of the birds, the eagle stands first in the list. It denotes here all the species of the eagle proper. Arabian writers, scientific travellers, and the most distinguished naturalists, concur in their testimony that the eagle eats carrion when it is still fresh, thus harmonizing with the description in Job 39:10; Proverbs 30:17; Matthew 24:28, &c. The assertion, therefore, that the bird here meant is the Egyptian vulture, because the eagle disdains dead bodies and feeds only on what it kills itself, is erroneous. Besides the kindred dialects, all the ancient versions and the best Hebrew scholars place it beyond a doubt that Nesher here denotes eagle. Afterwards, however, the carrion-kite and the golden vulture were also reckoned among the different species of eagles. Hence the allusion in Micah 1:16. . . .

Verses 13-19. - The unclean birds are those which are gross feeders, devourers of flesh or offal, and therefore offensive to the taste, beginning with the eagle and vulture tribe. It is probable that the words translated owl (verse 16), night hawk (verse 16), cuckow (verse 16) should be rendered, ostrich, owl, gull, and perhaps for swan (verse 18), heron (verse 19), lapwing (verse 19), should be substituted ibis, great plover, hoopoe. In the case of the bat, we have again phenomenal language used. Being generally regarded as a bird, it is classed with birds.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Additionally,
וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

you are to detest
תְּשַׁקְּצ֣וּ (tə·šaq·qə·ṣū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 8262: To be filthy, to loathe, pollute

the following
אֵ֙לֶּה֙ (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

birds,
הָע֔וֹף (hā·‘ō·wp̄)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5775: Flying creatures

and they must not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be eaten
יֵאָכְל֖וּ (yê·’ā·ḵə·lū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 398: To eat

because they
הֵ֑ם (hêm)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

are detestable:
שֶׁ֣קֶץ (še·qeṣ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8263: Detestation, detestable thing

the eagle,
הַנֶּ֙שֶׁר֙ (han·ne·šer)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5404: The eagle

the bearded vulture,
הַפֶּ֔רֶס (hap·pe·res)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6538: (a bird of prey) perhaps bearded vulture

the black vulture,
הָעָזְנִיָּֽה׃ (hā·‘ā·zə·nî·yāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5822: (a bird of prey) perhaps vulture


Links
Leviticus 11:13 NIV
Leviticus 11:13 NLT
Leviticus 11:13 ESV
Leviticus 11:13 NASB
Leviticus 11:13 KJV

Leviticus 11:13 BibleApps.com
Leviticus 11:13 Biblia Paralela
Leviticus 11:13 Chinese Bible
Leviticus 11:13 French Bible
Leviticus 11:13 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Leviticus 11:13 These you shall detest among the birds (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 11:12
Top of Page
Top of Page