Deuteronomy 14:15

KJV

And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,

KJV (with Strong's)

And the owl {H1323}{H3284}, and the night hawk {H8464}, and the cuckow {H7828}, and the hawk {H5322} after his kind {H4327},

Complete Jewish Bible

ostriches, screech-owls, seagulls, any kind of hawk,

Berean Standard Bible

the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk,

American Standard Version

and the ostrich, and the night-hawk, and the sea-mew, and the hawk after its kind,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 14:15 is an integral part of the Mosaic dietary laws, specifically enumerating certain birds that the Israelites were forbidden to eat, thereby designating them as unclean. This verse meticulously lists "the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind," underscoring God's precise instructions for maintaining ritual purity and distinctiveness among His covenant people. These prohibitions were not merely arbitrary rules but served as tangible expressions of Israel's unique relationship with Yahweh and their call to holiness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 14:15 is situated within a broader section (Deuteronomy 14:3-20) that meticulously details the dietary regulations concerning clean and unclean animals. This chapter opens with a foundational declaration that Israel is a "holy people" to the Lord, chosen by Him out of all the peoples on the face of the earth ([Deuteronomy 14:2](/deuteronomy/14-2 "Israel as a Holy People")). The preceding verses (Deuteronomy 14:4-8) outline the clean animals, distinguishing between those that chew the cud and have cloven hooves, and those that do not. Following this, the text addresses clean and unclean sea creatures (Deuteronomy 14:9-10). Verses 11-20 then provide an extensive list of birds deemed unclean, with Deuteronomy 14:15 being one specific enumeration within this larger category. The immediate verses (Deuteronomy 14:12-18) list twenty specific birds that are prohibited, indicating a comprehensive and detailed approach to dietary purity, distinguishing Israel from the surrounding nations.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The giving of the Law in Deuteronomy occurs as Israel stands on the plains of Moab, poised to enter the Promised Land. Moses is reiterating and expounding upon the covenant stipulations given at Sinai, preparing the new generation for life in Canaan. Dietary laws, like those in [Deuteronomy 14](/deuteronomy/14 "Clean and Unclean Animals, Tithes"), were not unique to Israel; many ancient Near Eastern cultures had their own food taboos and purity codes. However, Israel's laws were distinct in their divine origin and their explicit connection to the concept of holiness and separation unto Yahweh. These regulations served to create a visible boundary between Israel and the pagan nations, whose religious practices often involved consuming animals that Israel was forbidden to eat. Avoiding certain animals, particularly predatory or scavenging birds, also had practical implications, potentially minimizing exposure to disease, though the primary rationale was theological: to mark Israel as a people set apart for God.

* **Key Themes:** The dietary laws in Deuteronomy 14, including the prohibitions in this verse, are deeply interwoven with several overarching themes in the book of Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. The most prominent theme is **Holiness and Separation**, emphasizing Israel's unique status as God's chosen people, called to reflect His character in all areas of life, including their diet. This is explicitly stated in [Deuteronomy 14:2](/deuteronomy/14-2 "Israel as a Holy People") and echoed throughout the Law, such as the command to "be holy, for I am holy" found in [Leviticus 11:45](/leviticus/11-45 "Be Holy, For I Am Holy"). Another crucial theme is **Obedience to God's Commands**, as these detailed regulations tested Israel's willingness to submit to divine authority, even when the rationale was not immediately apparent. Such obedience was foundational to their covenant relationship and their prosperity in the land ([Deuteronomy 11:26-28](/deuteronomy/11-26 "Blessings and Curses")). Finally, the **Symbolism of Unclean Animals** is significant; many of the forbidden birds are birds of prey or scavengers, often associated with death, decay, or violence. Avoiding such creatures symbolically reinforced a separation from practices and associations deemed spiritually defiling, encouraging a life aligned with purity and life-giving principles.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"hawk after his kind" (Hebrew, _l'minehu_):** This phrase, literally "according to its kind," is highly significant. It echoes the language of creation in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "The Creation Account"), where living creatures are repeatedly described as reproducing "according to their kinds" ([Genesis 1:24](/genesis/1-24 "Creation of Animals According to Their Kinds")). In the context of dietary laws, its inclusion here for the hawk (and implied for other birds in the broader list) indicates that the prohibition extends beyond the specific named species to include all variations, sub-species, or closely related birds within that family or genus. This prevents loopholes and ensures a comprehensive application of the law, emphasizing the categorical nature of the prohibition rather than merely individual instances.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the owl,"**: This refers to a nocturnal bird, often associated with darkness, desolation, and sometimes evil in ancient cultures. Its inclusion as unclean aligns with a general pattern of prohibiting birds of prey or those that consume carrion.
* **"and the night hawk,"**: Another nocturnal bird, likely a type of swift or swallow, also often associated with hunting insects in the twilight or darkness. Its designation as unclean reinforces the pattern of avoiding birds that operate in the shadows or are not typically consumed as food.
* **"and the cuckow,"**: This bird, known for its parasitic nesting habits in some species, is also listed as unclean. While not a bird of prey, its inclusion broadens the category of prohibited birds beyond just raptors, possibly due to its diet or other perceived characteristics.
* **"and the hawk after his kind,"**: This specifies the hawk, a well-known bird of prey, and crucially extends the prohibition to all similar species within the hawk family. This phrase ensures that the entire category of predatory birds, known for their carnivorous diet and often for scavenging, is deemed unclean.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 14:15, as part of a larger list, primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Categorization**. The specific naming of "the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk" is a clear example of enumeration, providing a precise list of prohibited items. This detailed listing serves to remove ambiguity and ensure strict adherence to the law. The phrase "after his kind" functions as a form of **Categorization**, indicating that the prohibition applies not just to the named species but to entire families or genera of birds. This broadens the scope of the individual prohibitions into larger, definable groups. The repetitive use of "and the..." also creates a sense of **Rhythm** and **Emphasis**, highlighting each distinct forbidden item within the comprehensive list.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 14:15, with its specific prohibitions, powerfully reinforces the overarching biblical theme of God's desire for His people to be holy and distinct. These dietary laws were not arbitrary, but served as a tangible, daily reminder of Israel's unique covenant relationship with Yahweh, setting them apart from the surrounding pagan nations. By observing these commands, Israel visually and practically demonstrated their commitment to God's standards of purity, reflecting His own holiness in their lives. While the specific dietary restrictions of the Old Covenant are not binding on New Testament believers, the underlying principle of living a life set apart for God, characterized by purity and discernment, remains profoundly relevant. This verse, therefore, points to a deeper call to spiritual separation and purity that transcends the specifics of ancient dietary laws.

* [Leviticus 11:13-19](/leviticus/11-13 "Unclean Birds List")
* [Acts 10:10-15](/acts/10-10 "Peter's Vision of Unclean Animals")
* [2 Corinthians 6:17-18](/2_corinthians/6-17 "Come Out From Them and Be Separate")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 14:15, though part of an ancient legal code, offers timeless principles for contemporary believers. It calls us to consider how we, as God's people, are to live lives that reflect His holiness and distinctiveness in a world often at odds with His values. While we are no longer bound by these specific dietary laws (as affirmed in the New Testament), the spirit of the law compels us to exercise spiritual discernment in all areas of our lives. Just as Israel was to avoid what was ritually unclean, we are called to avoid what is spiritually defiling—be it harmful influences, ungodly practices, or attitudes that compromise our walk with Christ. This verse reminds us that true holiness is not just about outward conformity but about an inward commitment to be set apart for God, choosing what is wholesome and life-giving, and rejecting what might hinder our spiritual growth or obscure our witness to the world. Our choices, even seemingly small ones, can be acts of worship and obedience, demonstrating our unique relationship with our holy God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways does God call believers today to be "set apart" or "holy" from the world, even if not through dietary laws?**
* **How can we apply the principle of "discernment" from this passage to our daily choices regarding media, relationships, or lifestyle?**
* **What "unclean" habits or influences might be hindering my spiritual walk, and how can I seek to separate myself from them?**
* **How does my obedience to God's Word, even in seemingly minor areas, demonstrate my love and trust in Him?**

### FAQ
**Why did God declare certain animals, like those in Deuteronomy 14:15, "unclean" for the Israelites?**

Answer: The designation of certain animals as "unclean" served multiple interconnected purposes for the Israelites. Primarily, it was a practical means of establishing and reinforcing their identity as a [holy people](/deuteronomy/14-2 "Israel as a Holy People") set apart for Yahweh. By adhering to these dietary laws, Israel visibly distinguished itself from the surrounding pagan nations, whose religious practices often involved consuming animals that were prohibited to Israel. The laws also carried symbolic weight; many unclean animals, especially birds like those listed in [Deuteronomy 14:15](/deuteronomy/14-15 "Unclean Birds"), were predators or scavengers, associated with death, decay, or violence. Avoiding them could symbolize a separation from such defiling associations and a commitment to life and purity. While some scholars suggest potential health benefits (e.g., avoiding carrion-eaters), the primary biblical emphasis is theological: these laws were a test of [obedience to God's commands](/deuteronomy/11-26 "Blessings and Curses") and a constant reminder of Israel's unique covenant relationship with a holy God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Deuteronomy 14:15, with its specific dietary prohibitions, belongs to the Old Covenant's ceremonial law, its underlying principles find profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. Jesus, through His life, death, and resurrection, inaugurated a new covenant that transcends the ritualistic distinctions of clean and unclean foods. In [Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Jesus Declares All Foods Clean"), Jesus explicitly "declared all foods clean," dismantling the literal dietary regulations. Furthermore, Peter's vision in [Acts 10:15](/acts/10-15 "Peter's Vision and Cleanliness") powerfully illustrates this shift, revealing that God no longer distinguishes between clean and unclean animals, symbolizing the breaking down of barriers between Jew and Gentile. The true "uncleanliness" that defiles a person, as Jesus taught, comes not from what goes into the mouth, but from what comes out of the heart ([Matthew 15:18-19](/matthew/15-18 "What Defiles a Person")). Therefore, the call to holiness, once expressed through dietary separation, is now fulfilled in Christ by a radical transformation of the heart and a life lived in spiritual purity and devotion to God. Believers are called to be set apart, not by external rules concerning food, but by the indwelling Holy Spirit, living as new creations in Christ ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "New Creation in Christ")), discerning what is spiritually wholesome and rejecting what defiles their relationship with God and others ([Romans 12:2](/romans/12-2 "Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Job 30:29

I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls.