Deuteronomy 14:15
Deuteronomy 14:15 in Multiple Translations
the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,
And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,
and the ostrich, and the night-hawk, and the sea-mew, and the hawk after its kind,
And the ostrich and the night-hawk and the sea-hawk and birds of that sort;
tawny owl, long-eared owl, gulls, any kind of hawk,
Nor the ostrich, nor the nightcrow, nor the semeaw, nor the hawke after her kinde,
and the owl, and the night-hawk, and the cuckoo, and the hawk after its kind;
the ostrich, the owl, the seagull, the hawk of any kind,
And the owl, and the night-hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,
And the ostrich, and the owl, and the larus, and the hawk according to its kind:
ostriches, seagulls,
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 14:15
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 14:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אֵת֙
בַּ֣ת
הַֽ/יַּעֲנָ֔ה
וְ/אֶת
הַ/תַּחְמָ֖ס
וְ/אֶת
הַ/שָּׁ֑חַף
וְ/אֶת
הַ/נֵּ֖ץ
לְ/מִינֵֽ/הוּ
וְ/אֵת֙
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
בַּ֣ת
bath
H1323
Bath (Shua)
N-fs
הַֽ/יַּעֲנָ֔ה
yaʻănâh
H3284
ostrich
Art | N-fs
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
הַ/תַּחְמָ֖ס
tachmâç
H8464
ostrich
Art | N-ms
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
הַ/שָּׁ֑חַף
shachaph
H7828
gull
Art | N-ms
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
הַ/נֵּ֖ץ
nêts
H5322
flower
Art | N-ms
לְ/מִינֵֽ/הוּ
mîyn
H4327
kind
Prep | N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 14:15
וְ/אֵת֙
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
בַּ֣ת
bath
H1323
"Bath (Shua)"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')
Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.
הַֽ/יַּעֲנָ֔ה
yaʻănâh
H3284
"ostrich"
Art | N-fs
This word refers to the ostrich or possibly another type of bird, and is considered unclean in the Bible. It is mentioned in Leviticus as an animal not to be eaten, and is also associated with the owl. The exact meaning is not certain.
Definition: 1) an unclean bird 1a) owl, ostrich, literally translated as "daughters of the owl" 1b) perhaps an extinct bird, exact meaning unknown
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] owl. See also: Leviticus 11:16; Isaiah 34:13; Isaiah 13:21.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/תַּחְמָ֖ס
tachmâç
H8464
"ostrich"
Art | N-ms
The ostrich is a type of bird that is considered unclean in the Bible, mentioned in Leviticus as an example of a bird that should not be eaten.
Definition: 1) a ceremonially unclean bird 1a) a name of the male ostrich 1b) (CLBL) probably the great owl 1c) perhaps an extinct bird, exact meaning unknown
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: night hawk. See also: Leviticus 11:16; Deuteronomy 14:15.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/שָּׁ֑חַף
shachaph
H7828
"gull"
Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word for a type of bird, possibly a seagull or cuckoo, considered unclean in biblical times. It appears in Leviticus 11:16 and Deuteronomy 14:15. The exact meaning is unknown.
Definition: 1) a ceremonially unclean bird 1a) cuckow, gull, seagull, sea-mew 1b) maybe an extinct bird, exact meaning unknown
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: cuckoo. See also: Leviticus 11:16; Deuteronomy 14:15.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/נֵּ֖ץ
nêts
H5322
"flower"
Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word for hawk or falcon, also possibly referring to a flower due to its brightness. It describes a bird of prey, but the exact meaning is unknown. The word is used in the Bible to describe a swift and agile creature.
Definition: blossom
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: blossom, hawk. See also: Genesis 40:10; Deuteronomy 14:15; Job 39:26.
לְ/מִינֵֽ/הוּ
mîyn
H4327
"kind"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word min means kind or species, often referring to animals. It is used to describe different types of creatures in the Bible. Min is sometimes translated as kind in the KJV.
Definition: kind, sometimes a species (usually of animals)
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: kind. Compare H4480 (מִן). See also: Genesis 1:11; Leviticus 11:16; Ezekiel 47:10.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 14:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Clean and Unclean Animals
13the red kite, the falcon, any kind of kite,
14any kind of raven,
15the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,
16the little owl, the great owl, the white owl, 17the desert owl, the osprey, the cormorant,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 30:29 | I have become a brother of jackals, a companion of ostriches. |
Deuteronomy 14:15 Summary
Deuteronomy 14:15 lists specific birds that the Israelites were not allowed to eat, including the ostrich, screech owl, and gull. This verse teaches us that God wants His people to be set apart and to trust Him, even in the details of our lives (as seen in Leviticus 11:44-45). By following God's laws and guidelines, we can learn to obey and trust Him, and find freedom in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:2). As we reflect on this verse, we can ask ourselves how we can honor God in our daily choices and be distinct from the world around us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Deuteronomy 14:15 list specific birds as unclean for the Israelites to eat?
The Bible does not explicitly state why these birds are considered unclean, but it may be due to their scavenging nature or association with death, as seen in Leviticus 11:13-19 and Deuteronomy 14:3-21.
What is the significance of the ostrich being listed as unclean in Deuteronomy 14:15?
The ostrich, being a large and powerful bird, may have been considered a desirable food source, but God's laws in Leviticus 11:13-19 and Deuteronomy 14:3-21 set boundaries for the Israelites' diet, teaching them to trust and obey Him.
How does this verse relate to the broader context of Old Testament dietary laws?
Deuteronomy 14:15 is part of a larger section, Deuteronomy 14:3-21, which outlines the dietary laws for the Israelites, distinguishing between clean and unclean animals, and pointing forward to the greater spiritual truths found in the New Testament, such as Romans 14:14 and 1 Corinthians 8:8-9.
What can we learn from the specific birds listed in Deuteronomy 14:15?
The birds listed, such as the screech owl and the gull, may have been known for their aggressive or opportunistic behavior, serving as a reminder that God's people are called to be distinct from the world, as seen in Leviticus 20:26 and 1 Peter 2:9-10.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's character and His desire for His people to be set apart?
- How can I apply the principle of being distinct from the world, as seen in Deuteronomy 14:15, to my own life and choices?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be compromising with the world, and how can I seek to honor God in those areas?
- How does this verse point me to the greater spiritual truths and freedom found in Jesus Christ, as seen in the New Testament?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 14:15
[See comments on Deuteronomy 14:12]
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 14:15
And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind, The owl , [ bat (H1323) haya`ªnaah (H3284)] - daughter of the female ostrich; i:e., the female ostrich herself (Gesenius).
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 14:15
15. ostrich] bath hay-ya‘aneh either daughter of greed or of the plain; Arabs call it father of the plains; they eat the breast (Doughty, i. 132 f.). LXX, στρουθός. night hawk] taḥ ?mas (violence; Ar. zalξm also means both violence and ostrich). Some take it as the male ostrich. Tristram (90): the barn-owl, strix flammea. LXX, γλᾶυξ. seamew] shahaph, LXX, λάρος, cormorant; gull (Post, Hastings’ D.B.); sterna fluviatilis, tern (Tr. 135). hawk] neṣ ?, LXX, ἱέραξ. Tristram (106): generic for all small hawks, such as sparrow-hawk (accipiter nisus, 106), kestrel, etc.