Deuteronomy 14:16
Deuteronomy 14:16 in Multiple Translations
the little owl, the great owl, the white owl,
The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,
the little owl, and the great owl, and the horned owl,
The little owl and the great owl and the water-hen;
little owl, eagle owl, barn owl,
Neither the litle owle, nor the great owle, nor the redshanke,
the [little] owl, and the [great] owl, and the swan,
the little owl, the great owl, the horned owl,
The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,
The heron, and the swan, and the stork,
owls, hawks, falcons,
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 14:16
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 14:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֶת
הַ/כּ֥וֹס
וְ/אֶת
הַ/יַּנְשׁ֖וּף
וְ/הַ/תִּנְשָֽׁמֶת
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/כּ֥וֹס
kôwç
H3563
cup
Art | N-ms
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
הַ/יַּנְשׁ֖וּף
yanshûwph
H3244
owl
Art | N-ms
וְ/הַ/תִּנְשָֽׁמֶת
tanshemeth
H8580
chameleon
Conj | Art | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 14:16
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
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/כּ֥וֹס
kôwç
H3563
"cup"
Art | N-ms
In the Bible, this word can mean a cup or a type of owl, possibly due to the owl's unique eye shape. It's often used figuratively, like in Psalm 16:5, where God is the cup that fills our lives. The KJV translates it as 'cup' or 'owl'.
Definition: cup
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: cup, (small) owl. Compare H3599 (כִּיס). See also: Genesis 40:11; Proverbs 23:31; Psalms 11:6.
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/יַּנְשׁ֖וּף
yanshûwph
H3244
"owl"
Art | N-ms
The great owl is an unclean bird in the Bible, possibly a heron. This bird is considered unclean in biblical times.
Definition: 1) great owl, eared owl 1a) an unclean animal
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: (great) owl.s See also: Leviticus 11:17; Deuteronomy 14:16; Isaiah 34:11.
וְ/הַ/תִּנְשָֽׁמֶת
tanshemeth
H8580
"chameleon"
Conj | Art | N-fs
This word refers to an unclean animal, possibly a lizard or bird, and is often translated as 'mole' or 'swan' in the Bible. Its exact meaning is unknown.
Definition: 1) an unclean animal of some kind 1a) an unclean bird 1a1) perhaps the ibis, water-hen, species of owl, barn owl 1b) an unclean lizard 1b1) perhaps the chameleon 1c) perhaps an extinct lizard or bird, exact meaning unknown
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: mole, swan. See also: Leviticus 11:18; Leviticus 11:30; Deuteronomy 14:16.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 14:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Clean and Unclean Animals
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, 18the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, or the bat.Deuteronomy 14:16 Summary
Deuteronomy 14:16 lists different types of owls as unclean animals that the Israelites were not to eat. This verse reminds us that God cares about every detail of our lives, including what we put into our bodies, as seen in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. By following God's commands, we can maintain a close relationship with Him and live a life that is set apart for His purposes, as taught in Romans 12:1-2. Just as the Israelites were to distinguish between clean and unclean animals, we are to seek wisdom and discernment in our daily choices, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of listing different types of owls in Deuteronomy 14:16?
The listing of various owls, such as the little owl, the great owl, and the white owl, serves to emphasize the comprehensive nature of the dietary restrictions given to the Israelites, as seen in Deuteronomy 14:3-21, and is reminiscent of God's attention to detail in creation, as noted in Psalm 104:24-25.
Are owls considered unclean animals in the Bible?
According to Deuteronomy 14:16 and Leviticus 11:13-19, owls are indeed considered unclean and were not to be eaten by the Israelites, highlighting the importance of distinguishing between clean and unclean animals, as taught in Leviticus 11:1-47.
What can we learn from the specific mention of owls in this verse?
The mention of owls, which are nocturnal creatures, may symbolize the spiritual darkness that can result from disobedience to God's commands, as warned in Isaiah 59:9-10, and the importance of seeking spiritual light and guidance, as encouraged in Psalm 119:105.
How does this verse relate to the broader context of Deuteronomy 14?
Deuteronomy 14:16 is part of a larger passage that outlines the dietary laws for the Israelites, emphasizing the importance of separation and holiness, as seen in Deuteronomy 14:1-29, and is connected to the overall theme of Deuteronomy, which is to remind the Israelites of their covenant with God and their responsibility to obey His commands, as stated in Deuteronomy 4:1-40.
Reflection Questions
- What does the detailed listing of unclean animals, including owls, reveal about God's character and His desire for His people to be set apart?
- How can I apply the principle of distinguishing between clean and unclean things in my own life, as taught in Deuteronomy 14:16 and other scriptures?
- What are some modern-day 'unclean' things that I may need to avoid in order to maintain a close relationship with God, and how can I seek His guidance in making these decisions, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6?
- In what ways can I seek spiritual light and guidance, as encouraged in Psalm 119:105, to navigate the challenges and uncertainties of life?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 14:16
[See comments on Deuteronomy 14:12]
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 14:16
The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan, The swan - rather the goose (Michaelis) or the kite (Gesenius).
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 14:16
16. little owl] kτs, LXX, νυκτικόραξ (?), both night-jar and screech-owl. Tristram (93): ‘probably’ the southern little owl, Athene glaux, ‘one of the most universally distributed birds in the Holy Land.’ It inhabits ruins, Psalms 102:6 (7). Arabs call it ‘mother of ruins.’ great owl] yanshuph, LXX, εἶβις. Tristram (93): eagle-owl, bubo ascalaphus, haunting ruins and caverns. horned owl] tinshemeth, A.V. swan. Tristram: probably the glossy ibis. Owls are eaten by one tribe, at least, in Arabia, for which they are derided by other Arabs (Doughty, i. 305). The owl is one of the birds to which most often the Arabs attribute human qualities.