Leviticus 11:16
New International Version
the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,

New Living Translation
the eagle owl, the short-eared owl, the seagull, hawks of all kinds,

English Standard Version
the ostrich, the nighthawk, the sea gull, the hawk of any kind,

Berean Standard Bible
the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,

King James Bible
And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,

New King James Version
the ostrich, the short-eared owl, the sea gull, and the hawk after its kind;

New American Standard Bible
the ostrich, the owl, the seagull, and the hawk in its kind,

NASB 1995
and the ostrich and the owl and the sea gull and the hawk in its kind,

NASB 1977
and the ostrich and the owl and the sea gull and the hawk in its kind,

Legacy Standard Bible
and the ostrich and the owl and the gull and the hawk in its kind,

Amplified Bible
the ostrich, the nighthawk, the sea gull, every species of hawk,

Christian Standard Bible
ostriches, short-eared owls, gulls, any kind of hawk,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
the ostrich, the short-eared owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,

American Standard Version
and the ostrich, and the night-hawk, and the sea-mew, and the hawk after its kind,

English Revised Version
and the ostrich, and the night hawk, and the seamew, and the hawk after its kind;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
ostriches, nighthawks, seagulls, all types of falcons,

International Standard Version
ostrich, nighthawk, seagull, hawks of every kind,

Majority Standard Bible
the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,

NET Bible
the eagle owl, the short-eared owl, the long-eared owl, the hawk of any kind,

New Heart English Bible
the horned owl, the screech owl, and the gull, any kind of hawk,

Webster's Bible Translation
And the owl, and the night-hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,

World English Bible
the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the ostrich, and the nightjar [[or male ostrich]], and the seagull, and the hawk after its kind,

Young's Literal Translation
and the owl, and the night-hawk, and the cuckoo, and the hawk after its kind,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the daughter of the ostrich, and the night-hawk, and the seagull, and the hawk according to its kind;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The ostrich, and the owl, and the larus, and the hawk according to its kind.

Catholic Public Domain Version
the ostrich, and the owl, and the gull, and the hawk, according to its kind,

New American Bible
the eagle owl, the kestrel, the long-eared owl, the various species of hawks,

New Revised Standard Version
the ostrich, the nighthawk, the sea gull, the hawk of any kind;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the little owl and the pelican, the great owl, the cuckoo, and the hawk after its kind;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the little owl, the heron and the crow,
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and the ostrich, and the night-hawk, and the sea-mew, and the hawk after its kinds;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and every raven, and the birds like it, and the hawk and his like,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Clean and Unclean Animals
15any kind of raven, 16 the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, 17the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl,…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 14:15
the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,

Isaiah 34:11
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.

Job 30:29
I have become a brother of jackals, a companion of ostriches.

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.

Isaiah 13:21
But desert creatures will lie down there, and howling creatures will fill her houses. Ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about.

Isaiah 43:20
The beasts of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I provide water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people.

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.

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.

Micah 1:8
Because of this I will lament and wail; I will walk barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and mourn like an ostrich.

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.

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Luke 12:24
Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds!


Treasury of Scripture

And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,

Deuteronomy 14:15-18
And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind, …

Psalm 102:6
I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.

Isaiah 13:21,22
But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there…

Jump to Previous
Birds Cuckoo Cuckow Female Gull Hawk Horned Kind Kinds Male Night Nighthawk Night-Hawk Ostrich Owl Screech Sea Sea-Hawk Sea-Mew Sort
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Birds Cuckoo Cuckow Female Gull Hawk Horned Kind Kinds Male Night Nighthawk Night-Hawk Ostrich Owl Screech Sea Sea-Hawk Sea-Mew Sort
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














the ostrich
The Hebrew word for "ostrich" is "יַעֲנָה" (ya'anah), which is derived from a root meaning "to cry out" or "to lament," reflecting the bird's mournful call. In the ancient Near East, the ostrich was known for its speed and its ability to survive in harsh desert conditions. Its inclusion in the list of unclean birds may symbolize the separation from the wild and untamed aspects of creation that are not aligned with the holiness God desires for His people. The ostrich's inability to fly, despite its bird classification, can also serve as a metaphor for those who are grounded in worldly concerns rather than soaring in spiritual pursuits.

the owl
The Hebrew term "תִּנְשֶׁמֶת" (tinshemet) is often translated as "owl," though its exact identification is uncertain. Owls are typically associated with desolation and ruin in biblical literature, often inhabiting abandoned places. This bird's nocturnal nature and haunting call may symbolize spiritual darkness or the absence of divine light. In a broader sense, the owl's presence in the list of unclean animals serves as a reminder to avoid spiritual desolation and to seek the light of God's presence.

the gull
The word "שַׁחַף" (shachaf) is translated as "gull," a bird commonly found near water bodies. Gulls are scavengers, often feeding on carrion and refuse, which may contribute to their classification as unclean. This characteristic can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual impurity, where one feeds on the refuse of sin rather than the nourishing word of God. The gull's adaptability and opportunistic nature might also serve as a caution against spiritual complacency and the temptation to compromise one's faith for worldly gain.

any kind of hawk
The phrase "any kind of hawk" translates the Hebrew "לְמִינֵהוּ" (leminahu), indicating various species within the hawk family. Hawks are birds of prey, known for their keen eyesight and hunting prowess. In the biblical context, birds of prey often symbolize destruction and judgment. Their inclusion in the list of unclean animals may serve as a warning against predatory behavior and the pursuit of power at the expense of others. Spiritually, it calls believers to cultivate gentleness and humility, aligning with the character of Christ rather than the aggressive nature of a hawk.

(16) And the owl.--Better, and the ostrich, as the Authorised Version rightly renders it in the margin in three out of the eight passages in which it occurs, viz., Job 30:29, Isaiah 34:13; Isaiah 43:20; literally, the daughter or inhabitant of the desert. The ostrich, which is the largest bird and the swiftest of all cursorial animals, was associated by the Hebrews with the terrors of the wilderness, and was regarded by the ancients as an unnatural hybrid, as a kind of half bird and half quadruped. It dwells amongst desolated places (Isaiah 13:21; Isaiah 34:13; Jeremiah 50:39), fills the air with its doleful and hideous wails (Micah 1:8) and cruelly neglects its eggs to be hatched by the sun or trodden down under foot (Lamentations 4:3; Job 39:17-18). Owing to its proverbial stupidity, this hybrid is selected with another monster to illustrate the abundant goodness of the Lord, by showing that even this creature will become sensible of gratitude and break forth into thanksgiving and praise (Isaiah 43:20). The flesh of the ostrich was eaten by the ancient Ethiopians, Indians, and other nations. The Romans regarded ostrich brains as a great delicacy. The ostrich occasionally devours fowls and other small vertebrates like a bird of prey, and tradition assures us that ostriches consumed the body of Agag. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
the ostrich,
בַּ֣ת (baṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

the night hawk,
הַתַּחְמָ֖ס (hat·taḥ·mās)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8464: A species of unclean bird, an owl

the gull,
הַשָּׁ֑חַף (haš·šā·ḥap̄)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7828: A sea mew, gull

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

any kind
לְמִינֵֽהוּ׃ (lə·mî·nê·hū)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4327: A sort, species

of hawk;
הַנֵּ֖ץ (han·nêṣ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5322: A flower, a hawk


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OT Law: Leviticus 11:16 The horned owl the screech owl (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 11:15
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