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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Leviticus 11:16 the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/leviticus/11-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/03_Lev_11_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Leviticus 11:16 - Clean and Unclean Animals" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk," /><script type="application/javascript" 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frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/leviticus/11-15.htm" title="Leviticus 11:15">◄</a> Leviticus 11:16 <a href="/leviticus/11-17.htm" title="Leviticus 11:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/leviticus/11.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/leviticus/11.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/leviticus/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />the eagle owl, the short-eared owl, the seagull, hawks of all kinds,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/leviticus/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />the ostrich, the nighthawk, the sea gull, the hawk of any kind,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/leviticus/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/leviticus/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />the ostrich, the short-eared owl, the sea gull, and the hawk after its kind;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/leviticus/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />the ostrich, the owl, the seagull, and the hawk in its kind,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/leviticus/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and the ostrich and the owl and the sea gull and the hawk in its kind,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/leviticus/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and the ostrich and the owl and the sea gull and the hawk in its kind,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/leviticus/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and the ostrich and the owl and the gull and the hawk in its kind,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/leviticus/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />the ostrich, the nighthawk, the sea gull, every species of hawk,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/leviticus/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />ostriches, short-eared owls, gulls, any kind of hawk,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/leviticus/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />the ostrich, the short-eared owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/leviticus/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and the ostrich, and the night-hawk, and the sea-mew, and the hawk after its kind,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/leviticus/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and the ostrich, and the night hawk, and the seamew, and the hawk after its kind;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/leviticus/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />ostriches, nighthawks, seagulls, all types of falcons,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/leviticus/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />ostrich, nighthawk, seagull, hawks of every kind, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/leviticus/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/leviticus/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />the eagle owl, the short-eared owl, the long-eared owl, the hawk of any kind,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/leviticus/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />the horned owl, the screech owl, and the gull, any kind of hawk,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/leviticus/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the owl, and the night-hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/leviticus/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/leviticus/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and the ostrich, and the nightjar [[or male ostrich]], and the seagull, and the hawk after its kind,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/leviticus/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the owl, and the night-hawk, and the cuckoo, and the hawk after its kind,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/leviticus/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the daughter of the ostrich, and the night-hawk, and the seagull, and the hawk according to its kind;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/leviticus/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The ostrich, and the owl, and the larus, and the hawk according to its kind. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/leviticus/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />the ostrich, and the owl, and the gull, and the hawk, according to its kind,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/leviticus/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />the eagle owl, the kestrel, the long-eared owl, the various species of hawks,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/leviticus/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />the ostrich, the nighthawk, the sea gull, the hawk of any kind;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/leviticus/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the little owl and the pelican, the great owl, the cuckoo, and the hawk after its kind;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/leviticus/11.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the little owl, the heron and the crow,<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/leviticus/11.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />and the ostrich, and the night-hawk, and the sea-mew, and the hawk after its kinds;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/leviticus/11.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and every raven, and the birds like it, and the hawk and his like,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/leviticus/11-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NWs_V1RyMFo?start=2510" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/11.htm">Clean and Unclean Animals</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>any kind of raven, <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’êṯ (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1323.htm" title="1323: baṯ (N-fsc) -- Daughter. From banah; a daughter."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3284.htm" title="3284: hay·ya·‘ă·nāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Perhaps greed. Feminine of ya'en, and meaning the same.">the ostrich,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8464.htm" title="8464: hat·taḥ·mās (Art:: N-ms) -- Male ostrich. From chamac; a species of unclean bird, perhaps an owl.">the screech owl,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7828.htm" title="7828: haš·šā·ḥap̄ (Art:: N-ms) -- A sea mew, gull. From an unused root meaning to peel, i.e. Emaciate; the gull.">the gull,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4327.htm" title="4327: lə·mî·nê·hū (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Kind, species. From an unused root meaning to portion out; a sort, i.e. Species.">any kind</a> <a href="/hebrew/5322.htm" title="5322: han·nêṣ (Art:: N-ms) -- A flower, a hawk. From natsats; a flower; also a hawk.">of hawk,</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/14-15.htm">Deuteronomy 14:15</a></span><br />the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/34-11.htm">Isaiah 34:11</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/30-29.htm">Job 30:29</a></span><br />I have become a brother of jackals, a companion of ostriches.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-39.htm">Jeremiah 50:39</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/13-21.htm">Isaiah 13:21</a></span><br />But desert creatures will lie down there, and howling creatures will fill her houses. Ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/43-20.htm">Isaiah 43:20</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zephaniah/2-14.htm">Zephaniah 2:14</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/102-6.htm">Psalm 102:6</a></span><br />I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-23.htm">Isaiah 14:23</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/1-8.htm">Micah 1:8</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a></span><br />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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/13-34.htm">Luke 13:34</a></span><br />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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-2.htm">Revelation 18:2</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-16.htm">Matthew 10:16</a></span><br />Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-24.htm">Luke 12:24</a></span><br />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!</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/14-15.htm">Deuteronomy 14:15-18</a></b></br> And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/102-6.htm">Psalm 102:6</a></b></br> I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/13-21.htm">Isaiah 13:21,22</a></b></br> 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… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/leviticus/11-15.htm">Birds</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-15.htm">Cuckoo</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-15.htm">Cuckow</a> <a href="/leviticus/5-6.htm">Female</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-15.htm">Gull</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-11.htm">Hawk</a> <a href="/genesis/49-17.htm">Horned</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-15.htm">Kind</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-15.htm">Kinds</a> <a href="/leviticus/9-4.htm">Male</a> <a href="/leviticus/8-35.htm">Night</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-15.htm">Nighthawk</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-15.htm">Night-Hawk</a> <a href="/micah/1-8.htm">Ostrich</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-15.htm">Owl</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-14.htm">Screech</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-10.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-15.htm">Sea-Hawk</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-15.htm">Sea-Mew</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-15.htm">Sort</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/11-19.htm">Birds</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-15.htm">Cuckoo</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-15.htm">Cuckow</a> <a href="/leviticus/12-5.htm">Female</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-15.htm">Gull</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-15.htm">Hawk</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-18.htm">Horned</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-19.htm">Kind</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-19.htm">Kinds</a> <a href="/leviticus/12-2.htm">Male</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-13.htm">Night</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-15.htm">Nighthawk</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-15.htm">Night-Hawk</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-15.htm">Ostrich</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-17.htm">Owl</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-15.htm">Screech</a> <a href="/numbers/4-6.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-15.htm">Sea-Hawk</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/14-15.htm">Sea-Mew</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-19.htm">Sort</a><div class="vheading2">Leviticus 11</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/11-1.htm">What animals may be eaten</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/11-4.htm">and what may not be eaten</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/11-9.htm">What fishes</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/11-13.htm">What fowls</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/11-29.htm">The creeping things which are unclean</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/leviticus/11.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>the ostrich</b><br />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.<p><b>the owl</b><br />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.<p><b>the gull</b><br />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.<p><b>any kind of hawk</b><br />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.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/leviticus/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">And the owl.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">and the ostrich, </span>as the Authorised Version rightly renders it in the margin in three out of the eight passages in which it occurs, viz., <a href="/job/30-29.htm" title="I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls.">Job 30:29</a>, <a href="/isaiah/34-13.htm" title="And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be an habitation of dragons, and a court for owls.">Isaiah 34:13</a>; <a href="/isaiah/43-20.htm" title="The beast of the field shall honor me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.">Isaiah 43:20</a>; literally, <span class= "ital">the daughter </span>or <span class= "ital">inhabitant of the desert. </span>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 (<a href="/isaiah/13-21.htm" title="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.">Isaiah 13:21</a>; <a href="/isaiah/34-13.htm" title="And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be an habitation of dragons, and a court for owls.">Isaiah 34:13</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/50-39.htm" title="Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the islands shall dwell there, and the owls shall dwell therein: and it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelled in from generation to generation.">Jeremiah 50:39</a>), fills the air with its doleful and hideous wails (<a href="/micah/1-8.htm" title="Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls.">Micah 1:8</a>) and cruelly neglects its eggs to be hatched by the sun or trodden down under foot (<a href="/lamentations/4-3.htm" title="Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.">Lamentations 4:3</a>; <a href="/context/job/39-17.htm" title="Because God has deprived her of wisdom, neither has he imparted to her understanding.">Job 39:17-18</a>). 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 (<a href="/isaiah/43-20.htm" title="The beast of the field shall honor me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.">Isaiah 43:20</a>). 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. . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/leviticus/11-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">the ostrich,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(baṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1323.htm">Strong's 1323: </a> </span><span class="str2">A daughter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the night hawk,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַתַּחְמָ֖ס</span> <span class="translit">(hat·taḥ·mās)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8464.htm">Strong's 8464: </a> </span><span class="str2">A species of unclean bird, an owl</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the gull,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשָּׁ֑חַף</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šā·ḥap̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7828.htm">Strong's 7828: </a> </span><span class="str2">A sea mew, gull</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">any kind</span><br /><span class="heb">לְמִינֵֽהוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·mî·nê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4327.htm">Strong's 4327: </a> </span><span class="str2">A sort, species</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of hawk;</span><br /><span class="heb">הַנֵּ֖ץ</span> <span class="translit">(han·nêṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5322.htm">Strong's 5322: </a> </span><span class="str2">A flower, a hawk</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/leviticus/11-16.htm">Leviticus 11:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/leviticus/11-16.htm">Leviticus 11:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/leviticus/11-16.htm">Leviticus 11:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/leviticus/11-16.htm">Leviticus 11:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/leviticus/11-16.htm">Leviticus 11:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/leviticus/11-16.htm">Leviticus 11:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/leviticus/11-16.htm">Leviticus 11:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/leviticus/11-16.htm">Leviticus 11:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/leviticus/11-16.htm">Leviticus 11:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/leviticus/11-16.htm">Leviticus 11:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/leviticus/11-16.htm">OT Law: Leviticus 11:16 The horned owl the screech owl (Le Lv Lev.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/leviticus/11-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Leviticus 11:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Leviticus 11:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/leviticus/11-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Leviticus 11:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Leviticus 11:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>