Lexical Summary anaphah: Heron Original Word: אֲנָפָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance heron From 'anaph; an unclean bird, perhaps the parrot (from its irascibility) -- heron. see HEBREW 'anaph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom anaph Definition a ceremonially unclean bird NASB Translation heron (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֲנָפָה noun feminine an unclean bird (compare Assyrian anpatu DlHA 33; meaning quite dubious; on conjectures see Di Leviticus 11:19) Leviticus 11:19; Deuteronomy 14:8. Topical Lexicon Definition and General Profile אֲנָפָה designates a long-legged, long-necked wading bird placed by most English versions under “heron.” Living along marshes and riverbanks, the creature is noted for slow, deliberate movement, keen eyesight, and a solitary hunting posture. Its presence along Israel’s coastal plain, the Jordan Valley, and the Huleh wetlands makes it a familiar feature of the land’s fauna. Scriptural Occurrences 1. Leviticus 11:19 places the heron among creatures Israel was forbidden to eat. In both texts the heron is grouped with the stork, hoopoe, and bat—animals that either feed on carrion, inhabit desolate places, or manifest behaviors that set them apart from ordinary domestic fowl. The repetition in Deuteronomy confirms that the regulation was meant to endure beyond the wilderness years and into settled life in Canaan. Natural History and Identification Resident and migratory herons common to the Levant include the Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea), the Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea), the Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), and the Little Egret (Egretta garzetta). Any or all of these could fit the biblical term. Their diet of fish, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals would have placed them in potential contact with carcasses and dead matter near the water’s edge—conditions that harmonize with the Levitical emphasis on avoiding possible sources of defilement. Role in Israel’s Dietary Code The food laws in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 separate the holy nation from surrounding cultures (Leviticus 11:44-45). The heron’s exclusion teaches that the covenant community must exercise discernment even in mundane choices like diet. While the rationale is not exhaustively explained, two observations emerge: • Habitat and scavenging habits carry ceremonial risk. Cultural and Symbolic Significance Ancient Near Eastern art occasionally depicts herons as marsh deities’ attendants, but Scripture strips the bird of any religious prestige by assigning it to the “do not eat” list. Its watchful stillness nevertheless offers a vivid contrast to the biblical ideal of vigilant waiting upon the Lord (Isaiah 40:31). Where the heron waits for prey, the believer is called to wait for God’s provision. Comparative Insight with Other Birds Unlike the stork—celebrated for parental care in Job 39:13 and Jeremiah 8:7—the heron receives neither commendation nor censure outside the dietary code. The absence of additional references underlines the principle that not every creature must carry heavy symbolic weight; some simply model God’s diverse creation, destined for roles suited to their nature. Theological and Ministry Implications 1. Holiness and Everyday Choices: The mention of herons in dietary law underscores that spiritual obedience extends into ordinary routines. Practical Reflections • Outdoor ministries and nature studies can use the heron to illustrate how Scripture speaks to ecology, diet, and holiness simultaneously. Conclusion Though mentioned only twice, אֲנָפָה invites reflection on purity, discernment, and the intricate relationship between Creator, creature, and covenant people. The heron’s silent vigil along Israel’s waters continues to point readers to the God who orders both the wetlands and the worship of His people. Forms and Transliterations הָאֲנָפָ֖ה האנפה וְהָאֲנָפָ֖ה והאנפה hā’ănāp̄āh hā·’ă·nā·p̄āh haanaFah vehaanaFah wə·hā·’ă·nā·p̄āh wəhā’ănāp̄āhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 11:19 HEB: וְאֵת֙ הַחֲסִידָ֔ה הָאֲנָפָ֖ה לְמִינָ֑הּ וְאֶת־ NAS: and the stork, the heron in its kinds, KJV: And the stork, the heron after her kind, INT: and the stork the heron kinds and the hoopoe Deuteronomy 14:18 2 Occurrences |
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