Dictionary of Bible Themes » 4000 Creation » 4600 Living beings » 4612 birds
Part of the created world, used for food. In OT times they were also used in sacrifices. In Scripture, birds are used in many metaphors.
Part of creation
Genesis 1:21 See also Genesis 1:20-30; Genesis 2:20; 1 Corinthians 15:39; James 3:7
Cared for by God
Luke 12:24 pp Matthew 6:26 See also Job 38:41; Psalm 50:11; Psalm 147:9
To be cared for by humanity
Deuteronomy 22:6-7
Specific varieties of bird
Raven
Genesis 8:7; 1 Kings 17:4; Songs 5:11
Eagle
Exodus 19:4; Job 39:27; Proverbs 23:5; Isaiah 40:31; Jeremiah 49:16; Ezekiel 17:3; Daniel 4:33; Hosea 8:1
Hen
Matthew 23:37
Cock
Proverbs 30:31; Matthew 26:74
Ostrich
Job 39:13-18; Lamentations 4:3
Owl
Psalm 102:6; Isaiah 34:11,15; Jeremiah 50:39; Micah 1:8; Zephaniah 2:14
Quail
Exodus 16:13; Numbers 11:31-32; Psalm 105:40
Sparrow
Psalm 84:3; Proverbs 26:2; Matthew 10:29-31
Stork
Psalm 104:17; Jeremiah 8:7; Zechariah 5:9
Vulture
Job 15:23; Proverbs 30:17; Micah 1:16; Habakkuk 1:8; Matthew 24:28
Birds of prey
Deuteronomy 28:26; 1 Samuel 17:46; 1 Kings 16:4; Isaiah 18:6; Jeremiah 12:9; Revelation 19:17-18
Protected at the flood
Genesis 6:20 See also Genesis 8:17-19
Used in sacrifice
Genesis 8:20 See also Genesis 15:10; Leviticus 1:14; Leviticus 12:8; Leviticus 14:3-7,49-53; Luke 2:22-24
Used as food
Deuteronomy 14:11 See also Leviticus 17:13-14
Some not to be eaten
Leviticus 20:25 See also Leviticus 11:13-19 pp Deuteronomy 14:12-18
Not to be used as an object of worship
Deuteronomy 4:15-17 See also Romans 1:23
Appearing in dreams and visions
Genesis 40:17; Acts 11:6; Revelation 4:7; Revelation 12:14
Used metaphorically
Of freedom
Psalm 55:6 See also Psalm 11:1
Of isolation
Psalm 102:7
Of powerlessness
Hosea 11:11
Of being trapped
Psalm 124:7 See also Proverbs 6:5; Proverbs 7:23; Jeremiah 5:26; Lamentations 3:52; Ezekiel 13:20; Hosea 7:12; Amos 3:5
Of cruel invaders
Isaiah 46:11 See also Deuteronomy 28:49-50
Of an object of hatred
Jeremiah 12:9
See also
1325 God, the Creator 1330 God, the provider 1409 dream 4603 animals 4627 creatures 4636 dove 4675 nest 4678 pigeon 4690 wings 7340 clean and unclean 7435 sacrifice, in OT 8769 idolatry, in OT