Woodstorks on top of tree at Circle B by Lee
In our study on the Birds of the Bible, it has been mentioned whether a bird is “clean” or “unclean.” As I have prepared the blogs, I have been considering why a bird is on the clean or unclean list. I had been saving this blog for later, but due to unexpected travel, I’ll do it now.
In Genesis 9:3 it is stated that “every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you.” So, of course, the birds would be included in this as well. In Deuteronomy 14:11-20, a list of birds is given to signify which birds are unclean and not eaten; basically, all the rest can be consumed. But why are some birds unclean: Looking at the list, the eagle, ossifrage, kite, glede, vulture, and the hawk are known to eat dead animals (carrion). It would not be very healthy to eat them. The other birds on the list are all meat eaters, and maybe that has something to do with their being placed on the unclean list. Are the birds bad because of what they eat? No. Each one was created exactly for the purpose God intended. The carrion eaters help keep the land clean. Another passage mentions the list of unclean birds in Lev 11:13-20.
Some of the other birds on the list are a mystery to me. For instance the Cormorant, Swan, Pelican, Heron, and the Stork are birds I watch here in Florida, and they all seem to be fish eaters. One article mentions that the Heron used to be eaten, but they were fishy tasting and they stopped eating them. Why is it that no matter how many things we are given with only a few put off limits, that someone always has to try the few. Does that not sound like what happened in the garden of Eden when Eve just had to try the tree of knowledge of good and evil. When God puts something off-limits or says it is “unclean,” there is a good reason for it. Most times it is for our benefit because God loves us and doesn’t want us harmed. The “clean” birds mostly have a diet of grain, fruits, and vegetation. Could that be why they are okay to eat? With all the good birds available like chicken, turkey, quail, duck, etc., I’d much rather sit down to a Thanksgiving meal of turkey than vulture.
The birds used for the sacrifices were all clean birds.
Then the #1 reason to eat or not eat a bird according to the list is: AND GOD SAID
Lee
Val Lee
GuestWriter
a j mithra
Ian
Great post! What a blessing.
Yes, Lee is blessed because she knows this stuff.
What a wonderful site!! I teach a small youth sunday school class and we are going to be studying birds in the bible. I was doing some research and found your site.
I know God led me here I found some wonderful material for the class thank You
Cheryl,
You’re welcome to use any material. Lord bless you with your Sunday School class. Check back soon. I am getting ready to post some bird study references.
Lee
i like the explanations. iwant more on the bird families and the types that creep with four legs[feet]
The types that creep with four legs and the bat are in the next category. The verses are all together, but does not indicate they are birds
If the eagle is portrayed in the bible as an unclean bird, why does God compare Himself to an eagle rather to a bird which has been portrayed as clean? Deut 32:11
In Acts 10 Peter did not want to eat any animal which the bible considered unclean yet was told to eat it because God cleansed it.
“And the voice [spake] unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, [that] call not thou common. ”
The OT says do not eat anything unclean because God said so. The NT says you can eat it because God cleansed it.
You have to look at Acts chapter 10 in context. Peter was a Jew and at that time the message was only going out to the Jewish people. If you keep reading you will see what the vision was in reference to. It was a vision to show that the Gentiles were now going to receive the good news which is the gospel. Read the whole chapter and you will see. By the way Peter did not eat anything in that vision and he was not punished for disobeying. The vision had nothing to do with food. Hope that helped :)
Thanks, Claudia,
I’ll check into it, I have missed other points before.
Thanks God this good site because at times as a pastor people asked these things. I’m Pastor Sarwar from Pakistan we need your prayers and also tell that we have face a lot of financial problems. we are running Sunday schools, Bible study groups and Bible schools, house prayer meetings and house churches. Please I am not saying “help us”, but tell those in ur fellowship there is a ministering in Pakistan. God bless you.
Thanks, Pastor Sarwar. We are rejoicing to hear about all your labor in Pakistan and will be praying for you and those there. Praise the Lord that we can help with some of your answers.
tanks i cam 2 e net 2 search if e duck is clean or unclean n why, n i jest found a few abt it
Thanks for stopping by and glad you found some info. The duck is a clean animal.