In the context of the Bible, the term "beak" is not frequently mentioned, but it is associated with birds, which are often used symbolically throughout Scripture. The beak, or bill, is the hard, pointed part of a bird's mouth, used for eating, grooming, and other functions. Birds, including those with notable beaks, are mentioned in various passages, often to illustrate spiritual truths or to convey God's provision and care.

Symbolism and Significance

Birds are often used in the Bible to symbolize freedom, provision, and the care of God. For instance, in Matthew 6:26 , Jesus uses birds to teach about God's provision: "Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" While the beak itself is not explicitly mentioned, it is an integral part of the bird's ability to gather food, underscoring the theme of divine provision.

Birds in Sacrificial Law

In the Old Testament, birds such as doves and pigeons, which have distinct beaks, were used in sacrificial offerings. Leviticus 1:14 states, "If, however, one’s offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, he is to present a turtledove or a young pigeon." The beak, while not directly mentioned, is part of the bird's identity and role in these offerings, symbolizing purity and innocence.

Metaphorical Use

The beak can also be seen metaphorically in descriptions of strength and power. In Deuteronomy 14:12-18, various birds are listed as unclean, including the eagle, which is known for its powerful beak. The eagle's beak is a symbol of its predatory nature and strength, reflecting the characteristics that made certain birds unclean under Mosaic Law.

Creation and Diversity

The diversity of birds and their beaks is a testament to God's creativity in creation. Genesis 1:21 declares, "So God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters teemed, according to their kinds, and every bird of flight after its kind. And God saw that it was good." The variety of beaks among birds reflects the intricate design and purpose imbued by the Creator.

Lessons from Nature

The beak, as part of the bird's anatomy, serves as a reminder of the lessons that can be learned from nature. Proverbs 30:17 warns, "As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and the young vultures eat it." Here, the imagery of birds with strong beaks serves as a vivid illustration of the consequences of disobedience and disrespect.

In summary, while the beak itself is not a focal point in biblical texts, it is an essential feature of birds, which are used throughout Scripture to convey spiritual truths, divine provision, and the majesty of God's creation.1. (n.) The bill or nib of a bird, consisting of a horny sheath, covering the jaws. The form varied much according to the food and habits of the bird, and is largely used in the classification of birds.

2. (n.) A similar bill in other animals, as the turtles.

3. (n.) The long projecting sucking mouth of some insects, and other invertebrates, as in the Hemiptera.

4. (n.) The upper or projecting part of the shell, near the hinge of a bivalve.

5. (n.) The prolongation of certain univalve shells containing the canal.

6. (n.) Anything projecting or ending in a point, like a beak, as a promontory of land.

7. (n.) A beam, shod or armed at the end with a metal head or point, and projecting from the prow of an ancient galley, in order to pierce the vessel of an enemy; a beakhead.

8. (n.) That part of a ship, before the forecastle, which is fastened to the stem, and supported by the main knee.

9. (n.) A continuous slight projection ending in an arris or narrow fillet; that part of a drip from which the water is thrown off.

10. (n.) Any process somewhat like the beak of a bird, terminating the fruit or other parts of a plant.

11. (n.) A toe clip. See Clip, n. (Far.).

12. (n.) A magistrate or policeman.

6310. peh -- mouth
... root Definition mouth NASB Word Usage accord (1), accordance (1), accordance* (1),
accorded (1), according (9), according* (2), apt (1), beak (2), boast* (1 ...
/hebrew/6310.htm - 7k

The Eagle and Its Brood
... What he brings into view are the characteristics common to the eagle and the vulture;
superb strength in beak and claw, keenness of vision almost incredible ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the eagle and its brood.htm

Psalm CIII.
... The eagle is said, after it becometh overpowered with bodily age, to be incapable
of taking food from the immoderate length of its beak, which is always ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm ciii.htm

The Adventures of Saint James of Spain.
... No sooner did the monster see him than, darting down, it attacked him with its
red-hot beak, for having dared thus to enter its dominions. ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter six the adventures of.htm

The Phoenix
... from above. She gleams resplendent with a mingling of the green emerald,
and a shining beak [2055] of pure horn opens itself. Her ...
/.../lactantius/of the manner in which the persecutors died/the phoenix.htm

Whether There was any Reasonable Cause for the Ceremonial ...
... The ibis is an African bird with a long beak, and feeds on snakes; and perhaps it
is the same as the stork: it signifies the envious man, who refreshes himself ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there was any reasonable.htm

The Creation of Fowl and Water Animals.
... Thus the species of carnivora is of one sort and of one constitution which suits
their manner of living, sharp talons, curved beak, swift wings, allowing them ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily viii the creation of.htm

Chapter viii
... again another seven days and again sent forth a dove from the ark; and the dove
came back to him at evening, and, lo, there was a fresh olive leaf in her beak. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter viii.htm

The Origin of Species.
... as tumblers, pouters, carriers, and fantails; birds which not only differ most
singularly in size, colour, and habits, but in the form of the beak and of the ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/xii the origin of species.htm

Ancient Chaldaea
... Some of them had the beak of an eagle or a hawk; others, four wings and two faces;
others, the legs and horns of a goat; others, again, the hind quarters of a ...
/.../chapter iancient chaldaea.htm

The Philosophers
... reach.". 343. The beak of the parrot, which it wipes, although it is clean.
344. Instinct and reason, marks of two natures. 345. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section vi the philosophers.htm

Beak (2 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Anything projecting or ending in a point, like a beak, as a promontory
of land. ... Multi-Version Concordance Beak (2 Occurrences). ...
/b/beak.htm - 8k

Peck (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A great deal; a large or excessive quantity. 3. (v.) To strike with
the beak; to thrust the beak into; as, a bird pecks a tree. ...
/p/peck.htm - 8k

Rostrum (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) The beak or head of a ship. ... of the head of an animal, as the beak of
birds. 5. (n.) The beak, or sucking mouth parts, of Hemiptera. ...
/r/rostrum.htm - 7k

Ram (96 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) A heavy steel or iron beak attached to the prow of a steam war vessel for
piercing or cutting down the vessel of an enemy; also, a vessel carrying such ...
/r/ram.htm - 41k

Eagle (27 Occurrences)
... nesher; properly the griffon vulture or great vulture, so called from its tearing
its prey with its beak), referred to for its swiftness of flight (Deuteronomy ...
/e/eagle.htm - 28k

Pelican (5 Occurrences)
... In the performance of this act it pressed the large beak, in the white species,
tipped with red, against the crop and slightly lifted the wings. ...
/p/pelican.htm - 11k

Crow (9 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A bird, usually black, of the genus Corvus, having a strong conical beak,
with projecting bristles. It has a harsh, croaking note. See Caw. ...
/c/crow.htm - 9k

Horn (108 Occurrences)
... Any natural projection or excrescence from an animal, resembling or thought to resemble
a horn in substance or form; esp.: (a) A projection from the beak of a ...
/h/horn.htm - 49k

Nightmonster
... Its habit was to lie on its back and fight with beak and claw with such ferocity
that it seemed very possible that it would "tear and scratch the face." Some ...
/n/nightmonster.htm - 17k

Nail (9 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The basal thickened portion of the anterior wings of certain hemiptera.
3. (n.) The terminal horny plate on the beak of ducks, and other allied birds. ...
/n/nail.htm - 14k

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