Deuteronomy 14:16

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

The little owl {H3563}, and the great owl {H3244}, and the swan {H8580},

Complete Jewish Bible

little owls, great owls, horned owls,

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

the little owl, and the great owl, and the horned owl,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 14:16, part of a comprehensive list of unclean birds, specifies the "little owl, and the great owl, and the swan" as forbidden for consumption by the Israelites. This verse underscores God's meticulous instructions for His covenant people, reinforcing their distinct identity and call to holiness through adherence to dietary laws that set them apart from surrounding nations and served as a tangible expression of their covenant relationship with the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 14:16 is situated within a detailed exposition of dietary laws, specifically from [Deuteronomy 14:3-20](/deuteronomy/14-3 "Deuteronomy 14:3-20 - Clean and Unclean Animals"), which lists animals, birds, and sea creatures permissible or forbidden for consumption. This section directly follows the broader command for Israel to be a holy people, set apart for the Lord ([Deuteronomy 14:1-2](/deuteronomy/14-1 "Deuteronomy 14:1-2 - Israel, a Holy People")). The list of unclean birds, beginning in [Deuteronomy 14:11](/deuteronomy/14-11 "Deuteronomy 14:11 - Clean Birds") and continuing through [Deuteronomy 14:18](/deuteronomy/14-18 "Deuteronomy 14:18 - More Unclean Birds"), largely parallels the earlier and more extensive list found in [Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Dietary Laws"). This repetition emphasizes the importance of these laws for the new generation entering the Promised Land, serving as a foundational aspect of their covenant responsibilities and national identity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The dietary laws in Deuteronomy were given to ancient Israel as they stood on the brink of entering Canaan, a land inhabited by various pagan peoples with diverse religious and culinary practices. In the Ancient Near East, many cultures engaged in practices involving divination, cultic prostitution, and the consumption of animals associated with their deities or used in ritualistic meals. By prohibiting certain animals, particularly those often linked with scavenging, predation, or nocturnal habits, God was not only promoting a measure of public health but, more importantly, establishing clear boundaries that distinguished Israel from their neighbors. These prohibitions served as a constant, daily reminder of Israel's unique covenant relationship with Yahweh, emphasizing their separation from the defiling practices and idolatry of the surrounding cultures, thus safeguarding their spiritual purity and identity as a "peculiar people" ([Deuteronomy 14:2](/deuteronomy/14-2 "Deuteronomy 14:2 - Israel, God's Chosen People")).
* **Key Themes:** The listing of unclean birds in [Deuteronomy 14](/deuteronomy/14 "Deuteronomy 14 - Laws of Purity and Tithes") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. Primarily, it reinforces the theme of **holiness and distinction**, underscoring Israel's call to be a nation "holy unto the Lord" ([Deuteronomy 14:2](/deuteronomy/14-2 "Deuteronomy 14:2 - Israel, a Holy People")). These laws provided a tangible framework for living out this spiritual separation in daily life. Secondly, they highlight **divine authority and obedience**, demonstrating God's sovereign right to command every aspect of His people's lives, from their worship to their diet. Adherence to these commands was a direct act of faithfulness to the covenant. Finally, an underlying theme of **purity and order** is evident; the categorization of animals into clean and unclean reflected a broader theological understanding of order in creation and the avoidance of things associated with chaos, death, or defilement, which often included predatory or scavenging animals.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **little owl (Hebrew, _kos_):** This term generally refers to a small owl, likely the Little Owl (_Athene nocturna_), common in the Middle East. Owls, being nocturnal birds of prey and often associated with desolate places or darkness, were consistently listed as unclean. Their predatory nature and consumption of carrion or other small creatures would have rendered them ritually impure in the Israelite understanding of holiness.
* **great owl (Hebrew, _yanshûph_):** This word likely denotes a larger species of owl, possibly the Long-eared Owl or Eagle Owl, or potentially an ibis, depending on the specific ancient understanding. Like the _kos_, its predatory and nocturnal habits, or its association with swamps and scavenging, would have contributed to its inclusion in the list of forbidden birds. The consistent prohibition of various owls underscores a broader principle concerning birds of prey and those associated with darkness or death.
* **swan (Hebrew, _tinšemeth_):** The translation of _tinšemeth_ as "swan" is highly debated among scholars. While the KJV renders it as "swan" here and in [Leviticus 11:18](/leviticus/11-18 "Leviticus 11:18 - Unclean Birds"), the same Hebrew word is translated as "mole" or "chameleon" when listed among creeping things in [Leviticus 11:30](/leviticus/11-30 "Leviticus 11:30 - Unclean Creeping Things"). This ambiguity suggests the word might refer to a creature that "breathes heavily" or "snorts," or perhaps a type of large, possibly aquatic, or scavenging bird that was considered impure due to its habits or diet, rather than the elegant modern swan, which is primarily herbivorous. Given its context among other birds of prey and scavengers, it's more likely to be a bird with less "clean" habits.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The little owl,"**: This phrase introduces the first of three specific birds prohibited for consumption. The "little owl" (_kos_) was likely a common sight in ancient Israel, known for its nocturnal hunting and association with desolate places. Its inclusion signifies that even smaller predatory birds were considered unclean, reinforcing the comprehensive nature of God's dietary laws.
* **"and the great owl,"**: Following the "little owl," the "great owl" (_yanshûph_) further expands the category of forbidden predatory or nocturnal birds. This suggests a broader prohibition against various species of owls, emphasizing that their characteristics (predation, scavenging, association with darkness) rendered them ritually impure and unsuitable for a people called to holiness and light.
* **"and the swan,"**: The final bird listed in this verse, the "swan" (_tinšemeth_), represents a more ambiguous prohibition due to the uncertain translation of the Hebrew term. Regardless of its precise identification, its placement alongside owls strongly implies it was a bird considered unclean due to its habits (e.g., scavenging, association with water or decay) or its perceived nature, further reinforcing the principle that God's people were to abstain from creatures deemed impure or defiling.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 14:16 primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Categorization**. The verse is part of a longer, detailed list of prohibited birds, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of God's commands. This **Enumeration** serves to leave no ambiguity regarding what was forbidden, providing clear, practical boundaries for the Israelites' daily lives. By listing specific species, the text moves from general principles of holiness to concrete applications. Furthermore, the selection of these birds (owls, and the debated "swan") points to an underlying **Symbolism** or typological understanding. Owls, being nocturnal predators and scavengers, were often associated with darkness, desolation, and death in the ancient world. Their prohibition thus symbolically reinforces the call for Israel to be a people of light, life, and purity, set apart from anything that might represent defilement or the chaotic forces of the world. The act of abstaining from these creatures was a tangible, daily reminder of their covenant identity and God's desire for an ordered, holy existence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The dietary laws, including the prohibition of specific birds in Deuteronomy 14:16, are not arbitrary rules but deeply theological statements about God's character and His relationship with His people. They underscore the concept of **holiness** as a defining attribute of God and a calling for Israel. By distinguishing between clean and unclean, God taught Israel about the nature of purity, separation, and obedience. These laws served as a constant, tangible reminder that Israel was set apart for God's purposes, reflecting His purity in their daily lives. The act of discerning what was permissible and what was not cultivated a mindset of careful obedience and a deep awareness of God's sovereignty over all creation, including the most mundane aspects of life. While the New Covenant liberates believers from these specific ceremonial laws, the underlying principles of spiritual purity, discernment, and living a life set apart for God remain eternally relevant.

* [Leviticus 11:13-19](/leviticus/11-13 "Leviticus 11:13-19 - List of Unclean Birds")
* [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy in All Your Conduct")
* [2 Corinthians 6:17](/2_corinthians/6-17 "2 Corinthians 6:17 - Come Out From Among Them")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 14:16, though rooted in ancient dietary laws, offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. While the New Covenant has fulfilled and transformed the ceremonial aspects of the law, the underlying call to holiness and discernment remains paramount. Just as Israel was to be distinct from the nations around them, believers are called to live lives that reflect Christ's purity in a world often characterized by spiritual defilement. This means exercising spiritual discernment in our choices – what we consume mentally, emotionally, and spiritually – and avoiding anything that would compromise our walk with God or hinder our witness. Our "diet" today is not about food, but about the influences we allow into our lives, the values we uphold, and the company we keep. We are to be set apart, not by external rituals, but by an internal transformation that manifests in righteous character and conduct, demonstrating our allegiance to God in every sphere of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Old Testament emphasis on external purity (like dietary laws) foreshadow the New Testament emphasis on internal purity?**
* **In what ways might we, as believers today, unintentionally "consume" things that are spiritually "unclean" or defiling?**
* **What practical steps can we take to cultivate greater spiritual discernment in our daily lives, distinguishing between what honors God and what does not?**
* **How does our commitment to holiness in everyday choices serve as a witness to the world around us?**

### FAQ

**Why were these specific birds considered unclean, and what was the general principle behind such prohibitions?**

Answer: The birds listed in Deuteronomy 14:16—the little owl, great owl, and the debated "swan"—were considered unclean primarily due to their nature as predators, scavengers, or nocturnal creatures. The general principle behind these prohibitions was multi-faceted. Theologically, they served to distinguish Israel as a holy people set apart for God, reinforcing their unique covenant relationship. Ritually, animals associated with death, decay, or practices of pagan worship (e.g., divination, cultic use) were deemed impure. Practically, while not the primary reason, many unclean animals were indeed scavengers or carriers of disease, suggesting an underlying principle of public health. Ultimately, the laws underscored God's sovereignty and Israel's call to reflect His purity and order in all aspects of life, including their diet.

**Are Christians still bound by the dietary laws found in Deuteronomy 14, including the prohibition of these birds?**

Answer: No, Christians are not bound by the literal dietary laws of the Old Testament. The New Testament clearly teaches that all foods are clean for consumption, provided they are received with thanksgiving. Jesus declared all foods clean in [Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean"), emphasizing that defilement comes from within a person, not from external food. Peter's vision in [Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9 "Acts 10:9-16 - Peter's Vision of the Sheet") further clarified that God has cleansed what was once considered unclean, paving the way for the gospel to be preached to Gentiles. Paul also affirmed this freedom in [Romans 14:14-17](/romans/14-14 "Romans 14:14-17 - Do Not Destroy the Work of God for Food"), teaching that the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. While the literal laws are superseded, the underlying spiritual principles of holiness, discernment, and living a life set apart for God remain highly relevant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dietary laws of Deuteronomy, including the prohibition of unclean birds like the owl and the "swan," find their ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. These Old Testament regulations served as a shadow, pointing to a deeper spiritual reality that Christ embodies and inaugurates. The distinction between clean and unclean animals highlighted humanity's fallen state and the need for purification, a need perfectly met in the person and work of Jesus. He is the spotless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") whose sacrifice cleanses us not from external defilement, but from the sin that truly pollutes the heart ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience")). Christ's teaching in [Mark 7:15-23](/mark/7-15 "Mark 7:15-23 - What Defiles a Person") radically shifts the focus from external dietary rules to the internal state of the heart, declaring that "nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them; rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them." Through faith in Him, believers are declared righteous and holy, not by adhering to a list of foods, but by being united with the One who is perfectly pure. The Holy Spirit now empowers us to live out this new, internal holiness, enabling us to discern what truly honors God and to live as a people set apart for His glory, reflecting the purity of Christ in a world still marked by spiritual defilement ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen People")).

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.