Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

OWL

A nocturnal bird of prey of the order Strigiformes, listed among birds forbidden to eat (Lev. 11:17; Deut. 14:16). The owl is characterized by exceptionally large eyes that are directed forward rather than to the sides. The feathers around the eyes radiate from a common center and enhance the apparent size of the eyes. Yet, in spite of this, owls trust their ears far more often than their eyes in their search for prey. They fly extremely quietly, though slowly, and surprise their prey by descending from above. Their sharp talons and short, hooked beak are extremely powerful and make escape difficult.

A number of Hebrew terms (kôs, qāʾaṯ, yanšûp, qipôḏ) are variously translated by the NRSV as “owl,” “screech owl,” and “desert owl” (Zeph. 2:14) and “little owl” and “great owl” (Lev. 11:17; Deut. 14:16). Attempts to associate Hebrew terms with particular species are extremely problematic and may never be accomplished. From this list it is quite obvious that translations vary due to the necessity to distinguish between different Hebrew words for owls, not between different species.

Jesper Svartvik

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

OWL

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)