of uncertain derivation; the hoopoe or else the grouse; lapwing.
Transliteration:dûwkîyphath
Pronunciation:doo-kee-fath'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term דּוּכִיפַת (dûwkîyphath), Strong's number `{{H1744}}`, refers to a specific type of bird. Its precise identification remains somewhat uncertain, with scholarly suggestions ranging primarily between the hoopoe (*Upupa epops*), the lapwing, or a species of grouse. The etymology of the word is also noted as being "of uncertain derivation," meaning its linguistic roots do not provide further insight into its characteristics beyond its classification as an avian species. Regardless of the exact ornithological identification, the consistent context in which it appears in the biblical text firmly places it within the category of birds deemed ritually unclean. The core meaning, therefore, centers on an identifiable bird species that is explicitly forbidden for consumption by the Israelites.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word דּוּכִיפַת (dûwkîyphath) appears in only two passages within the Hebrew Bible, both within the legal corpus concerning dietary laws.
* In [[Leviticus 11:19]], it is listed among a catalog of birds that are explicitly declared "unclean" (טָמֵא, `{{H2931}}`) and therefore an "abomination" (שֶׁקֶץ, `{{H8263}}`) to the Israelites. This verse is part of a broader section detailing which animals are permissible for consumption and which are not, serving to delineate the boundaries of ritual purity for the covenant people.
* Similarly, in [[Deuteronomy 14:18]], the דּוּכִיפַת is again enumerated within a parallel list of birds that the Israelites are forbidden to eat. This passage reiterates the dietary regulations, emphasizing the importance of these distinctions for Israel's unique identity as a people set apart for Yahweh.
In both occurrences, the term is embedded within a legislative context, lacking any narrative or poetic usage. Its sole function is to identify a specific creature that falls under the divine prohibition, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the Mosaic Law regarding food. The consistent placement within lists of unclean birds highlights its status as an animal that, for reasons not explicitly stated, rendered one ritually impure if consumed.
### Related Words & Concepts
The דּוּכִיפַת (dûwkîyphath) is intrinsically linked to several key biblical concepts and other lexical items:
* **Uncleanliness (טָמֵא, `{{H2931}}`):** The most direct association is with the concept of ritual uncleanness, a pervasive theme in the Pentateuch. Its inclusion in the prohibited list signifies its status as part of the "unclean" creation from the perspective of Israelite purity laws.
* **Abomination (שֶׁקֶץ, `{{H8263}}`):** The term is used in [[Leviticus 11:19]] to describe the דּוּכִיפַת, indicating that its consumption is not merely forbidden but is considered detestable in the eyes of God.
* **Dietary Laws (כַּשְׁרוּת):** The דּוּכִיפַת is a specific example within the broader framework of the Mosaic dietary laws, which distinguished between clean and unclean animals (Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14). These laws were foundational to Israel's covenant identity.
* **Other Unclean Birds:** The דּוּכִיפַת is always listed alongside other birds deemed unclean, such as the eagle (נֶשֶׁר, `{{H5404}}`), vulture (עֹזְנִיָּה, `{{H5861}}`), raven (עֹרֵב, `{{H6190}}`), owl (תַּחְמָס, `{{H8464}}`), and bat (עֲטַלֵּף, `{{H5545}}`). This collective listing underscores a category of forbidden avian life.
* **Holiness (קָדֹשׁ, `{{H6918}}`):** The dietary laws, including the prohibition against the דּוּכִיפַת, were given to Israel as a holy nation, to distinguish them from other peoples and to reflect God's own holiness.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of דּוּכִיפַת (dûwkîyphath) does not stem from any inherent symbolic meaning of the bird itself, but rather from its inclusion in the divine legislation concerning purity.
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Command:** The prohibition against eating the דּוּכִיפַת, like all other dietary laws, demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His right to establish boundaries for His people. The reasons for specific prohibitions are often not given, emphasizing that obedience is rooted in divine command rather than human understanding of hygiene or natural properties.
2. **Purity and Separation:** The primary theological function of the dietary laws was to teach Israel about purity and separation. By distinguishing between clean and unclean animals, God instilled in His people a mindset of discernment and the importance of being set apart (holy) from the surrounding nations and their practices. The דּוּכִיפַת, as an unclean bird, served as a tangible reminder of this call to separation.
3. **Reflection of God's Holiness:** The call for Israel to be holy was a reflection of God's own holiness. The laws concerning clean and unclean animals, including the דּוּכִיפַת, provided a practical framework for living out this holiness in daily life, especially concerning the most basic human need: food.
4. **Anticipation of New Covenant Freedom:** While the prohibition against the דּוּכִיפַת was binding under the Old Covenant, its inclusion in the list of unclean animals indirectly points to the broader theological trajectory of redemptive history. In the New Testament, these ceremonial distinctions are superseded by Christ's work, which declares all foods clean and focuses on inward purity (e.g., [[Mark 7:19]], [[Acts 10:15]]). The Old Testament laws, including those concerning the דּוּכִיפַת, served their purpose in preparing a people for the coming of Christ, who would fulfill the law and establish a new covenant of grace.
### Summary
The Hebrew word דּוּכִיפַת (dûwkîyphath), Strong's number `{{H1744}}`, refers to a bird, likely the hoopoe, lapwing, or grouse, whose precise identification is debated. Its sole occurrences in the biblical text are found in [[Leviticus 11:19]] and [[Deuteronomy 14:18]], where it is consistently listed among the animals declared ritually "unclean" and "abominable" for consumption by the Israelites. The significance of the דּוּכִיפַת lies not in its individual characteristics, but in its role within the Mosaic dietary laws. It serves as a concrete example of God's sovereign command, underscoring the divine call for Israel to maintain ritual purity and to live as a people set apart and holy unto Yahweh, distinct from the surrounding nations. Its prohibition was a foundational element in teaching the principles of separation and obedience, which pointed toward the ultimate need for spiritual cleansing and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan in Christ.
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