Deuteronomy 14 16

Deuteronomy 14:16 kjv

The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,

Deuteronomy 14:16 nkjv

the little owl, the screech owl, the white owl,

Deuteronomy 14:16 niv

the little owl, the great owl, the white owl,

Deuteronomy 14:16 esv

the little owl and the short-eared owl, the barn owl

Deuteronomy 14:16 nlt

the little owl, the great owl, the barn owl,

Deuteronomy 14 verses

Deuteronomy 14 16 Meaning

Deuteronomy 14:16 lists three specific types of birds – the great owl, the screech owl, and the cormorant – which the Israelites were forbidden to eat. This prohibition is part of a larger set of dietary laws designed to distinguish Israel as a holy people set apart for God. By refraining from these, among other designated animals, they were to embody a lifestyle of separation and dedication to the Lord, reflecting His holiness in their daily lives.

Deuteronomy 14 16 Context

Deuteronomy 14:16 is part of a detailed exposition of dietary laws for Israel, found within Moses' farewell discourse to the new generation poised to enter the Promised Land. The preceding verses (Deut 14:3-10) outline the categories of clean animals, birds, and fish permissible for consumption, while verses 11-19 list specific birds that are considered "unclean" and forbidden. This specific verse continues that list of prohibited birds. The broader context of Deuteronomy emphasizes Israel's unique identity as a "holy people" to the Lord (Deut 14:2) and their calling to obey God's statutes wholeheartedly to thrive in the land He is giving them. Historically, these laws served to distinctively mark Israel apart from the Canaanite nations they were to dispossess, whose dietary practices and worship often included elements tied to "unclean" animals or practices associated with pagan cults, magic, and death.

Deuteronomy 14 16 Word analysis

• וְאֶת- (ve'et-): "and the"
  • This is a connective conjunction and a direct object marker. Its repeated use throughout the list (e.g., in this verse for each bird) serves to distinctly enumerate each forbidden item, emphasizing their individual prohibition and the comprehensive nature of the law. It underscores that each listed bird, regardless of its characteristics, is definitively included in the prohibition.
• הַכּוֹס (hakkōs): "the great owl" or "the little owl"
  • Original Language: kōs (Strong's H3564). This Hebrew term commonly refers to the "little owl" (Athene noctua).
  • Significance: This nocturnal bird often inhabits desolate, ruined places. In the ancient Near East, owls were sometimes associated with darkness, wilderness, death, or superstitious omens. Its inclusion in the forbidden list signifies a rejection of anything potentially associated with such dark or chaotic elements, promoting instead ritual purity and distinction from the practices of surrounding pagan cultures. It appears in the parallel list in Lev 11:16.
• וְאֶת- (ve'et-): "and the"
  • Again, this connective particle clearly adds another distinct item to the list, maintaining a meticulous and exhaustive inventory of forbidden foods.
• הַיַּנְשׁוּף (hayyanshûph): "the screech owl" or "the great owl"
  • Original Language: yanshûph (Strong's H3449). This term generally points to a large owl, possibly the "eagle owl" (Bubo bubo). Its root might relate to "twilight" or "darkness."
  • Significance: Like the kōs, this bird is nocturnal and often found in desolate locations (Isa 34:11; Zep 2:14), further reinforcing the symbolic separation from wild, untamed, or "impure" elements. The prohibition on consuming such birds would serve as a constant reminder of Israel's call to order and holiness, distinguishing them from the spiritual wilderness represented by foreign nations and their deities. It is also listed in Lev 11:17.
• וְאֶת- (ve'et-): "and the"
  • This final instance of the connective serves to conclude the specific sequence within this verse, linking the last item to the preceding ones.
• הַתִּנְשָׁמֶת (hattinshāmeth): "the cormorant" or "the (white) owl / (desert) owl"
  • Original Language: tinshāmeth (Strong's H8580). This term has proven difficult for precise identification by scholars. While often translated "cormorant" (a water bird, which makes it distinct from the previous nocturnal birds), some translations and ancient versions (like the Septuagint) identify it as a "water hen," "pelican," or even an owl (like the barn owl or an Egyptian desert owl). The root seems related to "breathing heavily" or "gasping," perhaps describing the bird's hunting or vocalization. In Lev 11:30, the identical term is used for a type of lizard, making the identification even more ambiguous; however, in the context of birds (Lev 11:18, Deut 14:16), it strongly points to an avian species.
  • Significance: Regardless of the exact zoological species, its inclusion firmly places another specific creature into the forbidden category. If a cormorant, it's a bird that consumes fish and dives. If an owl, it fits the nocturnal, predatory pattern. Its status as "unclean" solidifies the comprehensive nature of God's directive, encompassing a variety of characteristics that marked animals as unsuitable for consumption for God's holy people, often due to their association with impurity, waste, or being detestable in their habits.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "and the great owl, and the screech owl, and the cormorant": This sequence of prohibitions forms a continuous segment within the list of unclean birds (Deut 14:11-18). The meticulous naming of each distinct species highlights the specific and detailed nature of God's law for Israel. This legislative specificity underscores the seriousness of adhering to these distinctions, as it directly impacts their holiness. The cumulative effect of these repeated prohibitions establishes clear boundaries, teaching the Israelites practical discipline in daily living and constantly reminding them of their sacred identity and purpose as God’s peculiar people, separate from other nations and their practices.

Deuteronomy 14 16 Bonus section

• The selection of animals as clean or unclean often appears to relate to their categorization (land, air, water), movement, and habits (predatory, scavenging, clean feeders). Birds that scavenged or preyed, especially nocturnally, tended to be deemed unclean, contributing to Israel's clear separation from what was perceived as wildness, disorder, or decay.
• These detailed laws, though abrogated in the New Covenant concerning physical food, serve as a historical testament to the thoroughness of God's design for holiness. They teach us that true faith impacts every area of life, even seemingly mundane acts like eating, thereby reinforcing one's identity as a covenant child of God.
• While health benefits were likely incidental, the primary reason for these laws was ritual purity and symbolic distinction, creating a unique social and religious identity for Israel, ensuring they lived as a holy nation reflecting their holy God.

Deuteronomy 14 16 Commentary

Deuteronomy 14:16, alongside the broader dietary laws in chapters like Leviticus 11, profoundly illustrates God's principle of holiness for His covenant people. These prohibitions were not merely arbitrary health regulations or reflections of primitive food taboos. Instead, they were integral to Israel's national identity and spiritual formation. By declaring certain animals, particularly those like the owls (associated with darkness, death, and desolation) and potentially the cormorant (often consuming carcasses or dwelling in unclean habits), as detestable, God set apart Israel from surrounding pagan cultures who might have consumed or even venerated such creatures. The meticulous list ensured a daily, tangible reminder for every Israelite that they were different, consecrated to a holy God. This separation from the 'unclean' fostered ritual purity, a reflection of their inward dedication to Yahweh. The focus shifted from physical prohibitions in the New Covenant, with Christ declaring all foods clean (Mk 7:19), but the underlying call to live a life set apart and holy for God remains paramount for believers today (2 Cor 6:17; 1 Pet 1:16), emphasizing spiritual purity and ethical conduct over mere dietary restrictions.