Leviticus 11:13-19 · Bible study
Leviticus 11:13-19 Commentary: Prohibited Birds
Hebrew · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore the list of unclean birds in Leviticus 11:13-19. What principles guided Israel's diet, and what does it teach about holiness?
Research Summary
- Meaning: The list of birds Israel must not eat because they are detestable, primarily scavengers and predators.
- Key words: “detest” (shiqets, to regard as filthy); “abomination” (sheqets, a detestable thing).
- Main debate: Whether the principle rests on predation, pagan worship associations, or general repulsiveness.
- Theological theme: Holiness requires separation from what is unclean, even in ordinary life.
- Best use: Teaching on covenant identity, discernment, and the call to be distinct as God’s people.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
13Additionally, you are to detest the following birds, and they must not be eaten because they are detestable: the eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture,
14the kite, any kind of falcon,
15any kind of raven,
16the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,
17the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl,
18the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey,
19the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat.
WEB World English Bible 2000
13“‘You shall detest these among the birds; they shall not be eaten because they are an abomination: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture,
14the red kite, any kind of black kite,
15any kind of raven,
16the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,
17the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl,
18the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey,
19the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat.
KJV King James Version 1769
13And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,
14And the vulture, and the kite after his kind;
15Every raven after his kind;
16And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,
17And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl,
18And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle,
19And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
13And these ye shall have in abomination among the birds; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the gier-eagle, and the ospray,
14and the kite, and the falcon after its kind,
15every raven after its kind,
16and the ostrich, and the night-hawk, and the sea-mew, and the hawk after its kind,
17and the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl,
18and the horned owl, and the pelican, and the vulture,
19and the stork, the heron after its kind, and the hoopoe, and the bat.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
13`And these ye do abominate of the fowl; they are not eaten, an abomination they are : the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,
14and the vulture, and the kite after its kind,
15every raven after its kind,
16and the owl, and the night-hawk, and the cuckoo, and the hawk after its kind,
17and the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl,
18and the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle,
19and the stork, the heron after its kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
13And these shall ye have in abomination of the fowls; they shall not be eaten; an abomination shall they be: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the sea-eagle,
14and the falcon, and the kite, after its kind;
15every raven after its kind;
16and the female ostrich and the male ostrich, and the sea-gull, and the hawk, after its kind;
17and the owl, and the gannet, and the ibis,
18and the swan, and the pelican, and the carrion vulture,
19and the stork; the heron after its kind, and the hoopoe, and the bat.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
13Of birds these are they which you must not eat, and which are to be avoided by you: The eagle, and the griffon, and the osprey.
14And the kite, and the vulture, according to their kind.
15And all that is of the raven kind, according to their likeness.
16The ostrich, and the owl, and the larus, and the hawk according to its kind.
17The screech owl, and the cormorant, and the ibis.
18And the swan, and the bittern, and the porphyrion.
19The heron, and the charadroin according to its kind, the houp also, and the bat.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Leviticus 11:13
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that the birds listed in Leviticus 11:13-19 are predominantly species that prey on other animals or scavenge carrion. Barnes notes that these are “such as live upon animal food.” Keil and Delitzsch observe that the list contains almost exclusively birds of prey or carrion-eaters, though they add that no single common mark is given, unlike the rules for land animals and fish. Adam Clarke describes the eagle as “a most rapacious bird of prey,” and most of the other birds share this characteristic. The inclusion of the bat, a flying mammal, suggests the list extends beyond strict biological categories to include creatures associated with darkness or unclean habits. While exact identification of many species is uncertain, the principle is clear: the Israelites were to detest these birds because they represent predatory and unclean behaviors that are incompatible with the holiness God requires.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Predation/scavenger principle: Nearly all listed birds are raptors, carrion‑eaters, or creatures that feed on unclean animals, supported by Barnes, Keil & Delitzsch, and Adam Clarke.
- Pagan worship association: Several forbidden birds (e.g., ibis, Egyptian vulture) were venerated in Egypt; Cambridge Bible notes this as a likely factor (citing Bertholet).
- Repulsive appearance or habits: Birds like the bat, hoopoe, and certain owls were considered unsightly or associated with darkness and death; Wesley mentions this as part of the rationale.
What is clear: The birds listed are prohibited for Israel to eat or even touch when dead, and the overall message is that God’s people must maintain holiness by avoiding what He designates as unclean.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Identification of species | Most translators and commentators agree the list refers to birds of prey, scavengers, and some water birds. | The exact identity of several Hebrew names (e.g., tinshemet, ka’at) is uncertain; translations vary between 'swan,' 'ibis,' 'pelican,' 'barn owl.' |
| Purpose of the prohibition | The list marks these birds as unclean for Israel, contributing to ritual purity. | Some see the basis as sanitary (avoiding carrion‑eaters); others emphasize symbolic association with pagan worship; still others point to the birds’ predatory nature as morally instructive. |
| Application for Christians | The New Testament declares all foods clean (Mark 7:19, Acts 10), so the dietary law does not bind Christians. | Some Christians read the passage as purely historical; others find abiding principles about moral purity and separation from sin in the symbolic meaning of the birds. |
| Meaning of 'after his kind' | The phrase indicates that the whole family or genus of the bird is included. | Scholars debate the precise range of species covered, e.g., whether 'every raven after his kind' includes crows, jackdaws, and magpies beyond the common raven. |
| Inclusion of the bat | The bat is listed among the forbidden birds, showing the category includes flying mammals. | Some argue this demonstrates the list is based on observable habits (nocturnal, dark‑dwelling), while others see it as a generic grouping by flight. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The dietary laws in Leviticus 11 function as part of Israel's covenant identity, marking them as a people set apart for God. In the ancient Near East, many of the birds listed were venerated by surrounding nations. The Cambridge Bible notes that animals “which were recognised as in any way objects of worship by heathen neighbours” were considered unclean. For example, the ibis (possibly tinshemet in v. 18) was sacred in Egypt, and the Egyptian vulture was protected as a useful scavenger. The list also reflects practical observation: birds that feed on carrion, like the raven and vulture, can transmit disease, and their eating habits were repulsive to a culture that prized cleanliness. The stork, though admired for its care of its young, is included because it feeds on snakes and reptiles, an unclean diet. The bat, a nocturnal creature, dove and lived in dark places, adding to its detestable status. These prohibitions were not arbitrary; they formed a daily reminder that Israel’s God is holy and that His people must reflect that holiness in every area of life, including what they ate. The lack of a general rule for birds (unlike fish or land animals) emphasizes that the list itself is the boundary: the community is to avoid these specific birds and trust God’s wisdom in their designation.
Textual Notes
The list of prohibited birds in Leviticus 11:13-19 closely parallels Deuteronomy 14:12-18, though the order and some species names vary slightly (e.g., in Deuteronomy the “kite” (da’ah) appears earlier, and the “hoopoe” is rendered differently). No significant textual variants in the Hebrew of Leviticus 11 itself are noted in the consulted commentaries. The ancient translations (Septuagint, Vulgate) show differences in identification, reflecting the uncertainty of certain bird names even in the early centuries.
Reception History
In Jewish tradition, these verses were received as binding law, and the Mishnah and Talmud developed extensive rules for determining clean and unclean birds. Early Christian writers like Barnabas and Clement of Alexandria often allegorized the forbidden birds, interpreting them as types of sinful behaviors (e.g., the eagle representing pride, the raven representing greed). Origen and later medieval commentators followed this allegorical approach, seeing the dietary laws as prefiguring moral discernment. During the Reformation, Calvin and Matthew Henry emphasized the pedagogical purpose: the laws taught Israel to abhor what is unclean and to pursue holiness. Modern scholarship focuses on the historical context, including the birds’ roles in ancient Egyptian and Canaanite religion, and the probable sanitary reasons for the prohibitions. Across traditions, the passage is seen as a concrete expression of God’s call to be a distinct people.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Principle: God’s people are called to discernment in what they consume. The passage frames the prohibition with the verbs “detest” and “abomination,” showing that diet is not neutral but connected to covenant faithfulness.
- The List: Specific birds represent qualities to avoid. Birds of prey, scavengers, and creatures of darkness form the list. They embody predatory violence, uncleanness, and association with death.
- The Purpose: Holiness and separation from pagan practices. These laws distinguished Israel from neighboring nations, many of which revered some of these same birds. Obedience cultivated a distinctive identity.
Five-point outline
- The Context: Leviticus 11 is part of the purity code, teaching Israel how to live in God’s presence.
- The Absence of a General Rule: Unlike land animals (chewing cud, split hoof) and fish (fins and scales), birds are listed by name. The list itself is the rule.
- The Character of the Prohibited Birds: They are predators, carrion-eaters, or nocturnal. The stork and heron, though not typical raptors, feed on unclean creatures, widening the principle to include dietary habits.
- The Connection to Holiness: “You shall be holy, for I am holy” frames the entire section (Lev 11:44). Avoiding these birds taught Israel to abhor what God abhors.
- The Fulfillment in Christ: Christians understand that Christ fulfilled the ceremonial law (Mark 7:19; Acts 10:15). The passage still teaches the importance of moral purity and separation from sin.
Illustration hooks
- Choosing food at a market: Every culture has foods that are considered desirable or disgusting. The dietary laws shaped Israel’s sense of what is fitting for God’s people.
- Screen time habits: Just as Israel was told to avoid certain birds, believers today consider what influences they allow into their minds. The principle is about guarding what enters the heart.
- Eating with friends: The struggle to keep kosher when invited to a pagan feast is a real scenario. It tested loyalty and identity.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why did God care what birds they ate? Isn’t that a minor detail?
- Does this list have any meaning for Christians today, or is it obsolete?
- How do we determine what is “clean” in our own lives without falling into legalism?
Leading a Discussion
This passage invites us to consider how God’s call to holiness touches even the ordinary parts of life, like eating. The Israelites received a detailed list of birds to avoid, teaching them that their relationship with God shaped their daily choices. As you discuss, think about how boundaries can protect and define a community’s identity.
Discussion questions
- Read Leviticus 11:13-19 aloud. What stands out to you about the list? Which birds are familiar, and which are surprising?
- The passage uses strong language: “detest,” “abomination.” Why do you think God uses such blunt terms for food?
- What do these prohibited birds have in common? How might their habits illustrate something about sin or impurity?
- Compare this list with the rules for land animals (vv. 2-8) and fish (vv. 9-12). Why do you think birds are treated differently, with a specific list rather than a general rule?
- In what ways did these dietary laws set Israel apart from the nations around them? Why was that separation important?
- How does the New Testament’s teaching that all foods are clean (Mark 7:19) affect how we read this passage? Does it mean the principle is irrelevant?
- What “birds of prey” might believers today need to avoid in their spiritual lives? How can we develop discernment about what we consume (media, relationships, ideas)?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Deuteronomy 14:12 | But these are they of which you shall not eat: the eagle, the vulture, the osprey, |
| Deuteronomy 14:20 | Of all clean birds you may eat. |
| Job 28:7 | That path no bird of prey knows, neither has the falcon’s eye seen it. |
| Job 38:41 | Who provides for the raven his prey, when his young ones cry to God, and wander for lack of food? |
| Job 39:27 | Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up, and makes his nest on high? |
| Job 39:30 | His young ones also suck up blood. Where the slain are, there he is.” |
| Jeremiah 4:13 | Behold, he will come up as clouds, and his chariots will be as the whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us! For we are ruined. |
| Jeremiah 4:22 | “For my people are foolish. They don’t know me. They are foolish children, and they have no understanding. They are skillful in doing evil, but they don’t know how to do good.” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke explains each unclean bird's Hebrew name to uncover its character, from the eagle's tearing beak to the pelican's pouch. He argues the dietary laws are grounded in observable traits like ravenousness, cruelty, or filthiness, showing the prohibitions are rational rather than arbitrary.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes explains that the birds listed as unclean are all meat-eaters. He suggests they were chosen because the Israelites would be tempted to eat them, either because they were easy to catch or because neighboring nations ate them. These specific birds serve as representatives for the entire category of prohibited birds.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin argues that the seemingly excessive rules about unclean animals were not arbitrary burdens but acts of discipline. Through these minor restrictions, God trained His people to value purity and restrained them from the intemperance that would lead to corruption like the surrounding nations.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentary notes that the phrase "all fowls that creep" in the King James Version obscures the fact that these are flying insects. The description of these insects as going on "all four" is popular, not scientific, since they actually have six feet.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes present a detailed list of forbidden birds, each named individually to leave no doubt about which are unclean. The repeated declaration that these birds "are an abomination" underscores that the prohibition is absolute and not open to interpretation.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that Christians are not bound by these Old Testament dietary laws, so it does not matter whether we can identify the exact birds listed. The difficulty in matching ancient Hebrew names to modern species is a concern only for Jews who still observe these regulations.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB focuses on the natural history and habits of each prohibited bird, showing that nearly all are predators or scavengers feeding on flesh or carrion. He notes that some identifications remain uncertain, but the ban likely also targeted birds held sacred by the Egyptians, reinforcing Israel's separation from pagan practices.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry observes that the ancients regarded fish as the most delicate food, so God placed only a light restriction on them. He notes that God allows his servants not just necessities but also delights. The repeated word "abomination" means Israel was to keep a clean distance from forbidden creatures.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley sees the loss of exact Hebrew names for the forbidden birds as providential, making the ceremonial law's precise observance impossible after Christ. For him the prohibitions teach a lasting moral point: to detest cruelty, darkness, and impurity, which these birds symbolise.