The term "glede" appears in the context of biblical zoology and is referenced in the Old Testament. It is generally understood to refer to a type of bird, specifically a bird of prey. The Hebrew word often translated as "glede" is "דָּאָה" (da'ah), which is associated with birds that are unclean according to the dietary laws given to the Israelites.

Biblical References:

The primary reference to the glede is found in Deuteronomy 14:13, where it is listed among the birds that the Israelites are forbidden to eat:

"And the red kite, the falcon, and any kind of kite." (Deuteronomy 14:13)

In this passage, the term "red kite" is often associated with the Hebrew word "da'ah," which some translations render as "glede." The context of this verse is a list of unclean animals that the Israelites are instructed to avoid consuming, as part of the dietary laws that distinguish clean from unclean animals.

Characteristics and Identification:

The glede is typically identified with the red kite (Milvus milvus), a bird of prey known for its distinctive forked tail and graceful flight. The red kite is native to parts of Europe and the Middle East, including the region of ancient Israel. It is a scavenger, feeding on carrion as well as small mammals and birds, which aligns with the characteristics of unclean animals in the biblical context.

Cultural and Religious Significance:

In the biblical worldview, the classification of animals into clean and unclean categories served both practical and symbolic purposes. Practically, it helped maintain dietary health and hygiene. Symbolically, it reinforced the concept of holiness and separation, as the Israelites were called to be distinct from the surrounding nations. The prohibition against eating birds like the glede underscores the importance of obedience to God's commandments and the maintenance of ritual purity.

Theological Implications:

The mention of the glede in the dietary laws reflects the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over creation and His authority to define the boundaries of holiness. By adhering to these laws, the Israelites demonstrated their commitment to living according to God's standards. The unclean status of the glede and similar birds serves as a reminder of the fallen state of the world and the need for redemption and restoration, themes that are central to the biblical narrative.

Conclusion:

The glede, as referenced in the Bible, is a symbol of the intricate laws that governed the daily lives of the Israelites. Its inclusion in the list of unclean birds highlights the importance of distinguishing between the holy and the common, a principle that resonates throughout Scripture.Glede

the old name for the common kite (Milvus ater), occurs only in (14:13) among the unclean birds of prey.

Glede

A kind of hawk or kite, De 14:13. The same Hebrew word is translated vulture in Le 11:14.

An Old English name for the common kite, mentioned only in Deuteronomy 14:13 (Hebrews ra'ah), the Milvus ater or black kite. The Hebrew word does not occur in the parallel passage in Leviticus (11:14, da'ah, rendered "vulture;" in R.V., "kite"). It was an unclean bird. The Hebrew name is from a root meaning "to see," "to look," thus designating a bird with a keen sight. The bird intended is probably the buzzard, of which there are three species found in Palestine. (see VULTURE.) 1. (n.) The common European kite (Milvus ictinus). This name is also sometimes applied to the buzzard.

2. (n.) A live coal.

GLEDE

gled (ra`ah; gups): A member of the hawk species. It is given among the list of abominations in Deuteronomy 14:13, but not in the Leviticus list (Leviticus 11:14). The kite is substituted. The Arabs might have called one of the buzzards the glede. In England, where specimens of most of these birds appear in migration, the glede is synonymous with kite, and was given the name from glide, to emphasize a gliding motion in flight. See illustration, p. 1235.

7201. raah -- glede
... 7200, 7201. raah. 7202 . glede. Transliteration: raah Phonetic Spelling:
(raw-aw') Short Definition: glede. Word Origin scribal error for daah, qv. glede ...
/hebrew/7201.htm - 6k

Song to David
... Strong is the horse upon his speed; Strong in pursuit the rapid glede [180] ,.
Which makes at once his game: ... Footnotes: [180] glede, hawk. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cciv song to david.htm

The Swan-Neck
... lived in wealth and glee Then ye scorned to look on me; God hath brought the proud
ones low After me afoot to go.' Rousing erne and sallow glede, Rousing gray ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the swan-neck.htm

Adoration
... Strong is the horse upon his speed; Strong in pursuit the rapid glede, Which makes
at once his game: Strong the tall ostrich on the ground; Strong through the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/wells/bible stories and religious classics/adoration.htm

The First Discovery of America
... High feast that day held the birds of the air and the beasts of the field,
White-tailed erne and sallow glede, Dusky raven, with horny neb, And the gray deer ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/the first discovery of america.htm

The First Discovery of America.
... High feast that day held the birds of the air and the beasts of the field,
White-tailed erne and sallow glede, Dusky raven, with horny neb, And the grey deer ...
/.../lectures delivered in america in 1874/lecture iii the first discovery.htm

Glede (1 Occurrence)
...GLEDE. gled (ra`ah; gups): A member of the hawk species. ... The kite is substituted.
The Arabs might have called one of the buzzards the glede. ...
/g/glede.htm - 8k

Vulture (16 Occurrences)
... In the parallel passage (Deuteronomy 14:13) the Hebrew word used is ra'ah, rendered
"glede;" LXX., "gups;" Vulg., "milvus." A species of ravenous bird ...
/v/vulture.htm - 14k

Unclean (393 Occurrences)
... In the American Standard Revised Version it is translated "kite" in Leviticus, while
in Deuteronomy it is translated "glede." The additional one in Deuteronomy ...
/u/unclean.htm - 39k

Hawk (6 Occurrences)
... These large hawks and the glede are of eagle-like nature, nesting on Carmel and
on the hills of Galilee, in large trees and on mountain crags. ...
/h/hawk.htm - 14k

Birds (125 Occurrences)
... owl, and the pelican, and the vulture, and the stork, the heron after its kind,
and the hoopoe, and the bat." Deuteronomy 14:12-18 gives the glede in addition. ...
/b/birds.htm - 62k

Abomination (78 Occurrences)
... owl, and the pelican, and the vulture, and the stork, the heron after its kind,
and the hoopoe, and the bat." Deuteronomy 14:12-18 gives the glede in addition. ...
/a/abomination.htm - 55k

Vultur (2 Occurrences)
... kind; (Root in KJV WBS YLT). Deuteronomy 14:13 And the glede, and the kite,
and the vulture after his kind, (Root in KJV WBS YLT). ...
/v/vultur.htm - 6k

Zoology
... Sparrow, Swallow, Raven, Hoopoe, Night Hawk RAPTORES: Great Owl, Little Owl, Horned
Owl, Eagle, Vulture, Gier-Eagle, Osprey, Kite, Glede, Hawk, Falcon COLUMBAE ...
/z/zoology.htm - 18k

Gleans (1 Occurrence)

/g/gleans.htm - 6k

Glide (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The glede or kite. 2. (vi) To move gently
and smoothly; to pass along without noise, violence, or ...
/g/glide.htm - 8k

Glede: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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