Topical Encyclopedia The term "gier" is found in the context of biblical ornithology, specifically within the Old Testament. It is often associated with certain birds of prey that are mentioned in the dietary laws given to the Israelites. The gier eagle is referenced in the list of unclean birds that the Israelites were forbidden to eat, as outlined in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy.Biblical References: 1. Leviticus 11:13-18 : "These you are to detest among the birds; they must not be eaten because they are detestable: the eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture, the kite, any kind of falcon, every kind of raven, the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat." 2. Deuteronomy 14:12-18 : "But these you may not eat: the eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture, the red kite, the black kite, any kind of falcon, any kind of raven, the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, the little owl, the great owl, the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat." In these passages, the gier eagle is often identified with the bearded vulture or lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus), a large bird of prey known for its distinctive appearance and scavenging habits. The bearded vulture is characterized by its long, narrow wings and wedge-shaped tail, and it is unique among vultures for its diet, which consists mainly of bone marrow. This bird is known to drop bones from great heights to crack them open and access the nutritious marrow inside. Cultural and Symbolic Significance: In the ancient Near Eastern context, birds of prey, including the gier eagle, were often seen as symbols of power and destruction due to their predatory nature. The prohibition against consuming these birds in the Mosaic Law underscores the distinction between clean and unclean animals, a theme that is central to the holiness code in Leviticus. The Israelites were called to be a people set apart, and adherence to dietary laws was a tangible expression of their covenant relationship with God. The gier eagle, as part of the list of unclean birds, serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commandments and the call to holiness. The distinction between clean and unclean animals also foreshadows the New Testament teachings on purity and the ultimate fulfillment of the law in Christ, who declared all foods clean (Mark 7:18-19). Modern Identification and Interpretation: Modern scholars and ornithologists have debated the precise identification of the gier eagle, as the Hebrew term "peres" used in the biblical text is somewhat ambiguous. However, the consensus leans towards the bearded vulture due to its prevalence in the regions surrounding ancient Israel and its distinctive characteristics that align with the descriptions found in biblical and extra-biblical sources. The study of biblical ornithology, including the identification of the gier eagle, provides valuable insights into the cultural and religious practices of ancient Israel. It also enriches our understanding of the symbolic language used in Scripture to convey spiritual truths and moral teachings. Easton's Bible Dictionary Gier eagleHebrews raham = "parental affection," Leviticus 11:18; Deuteronomy 14:17; R.V., "vulture"), a species of vulture living entirely on carrion. "It is about the size of a raven; has an almost triangular, bald, and wrinkled head, a strong pointed beak, black at the tip, large eyes and ears, the latter entirely on the outside, and long feet." It is common in Egypt, where it is popularly called "Pharaoh's chicken" (the Neophron percnopterus), and is found in Palestine only during summer. Tristram thinks that the Hebrew name, which is derived from a root meaning "to love," is given to it from the fact that the male and female bird never part company. Strong's Hebrew 7360. racham -- carrion vulture... gier- eagle. Or (feminine) rachamah {raw-khaw-maw'}; from racham; a kind of vulture (supposed to be tender towards its young) -- gier- eagle. see HEBREW racham. ... /hebrew/7360.htm - 6k Library Song to David Adoration Thesaurus Gier (2 Occurrences)... Easton's Bible Dictionary Gier eagle. ...Gier (2 Occurrences). Leviticus 11:18 And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle, (KJV WBS YLT). ... /g/gier.htm - 7k Gier-eagle (4 Occurrences) Giereagle Bearded (2 Occurrences) Swan (2 Occurrences) Eagle (27 Occurrences) Abomination (78 Occurrences) Zoology Unclean (393 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible ThesuarusConcordance Gier (2 Occurrences)Leviticus 11:18 Deuteronomy 14:17 Subtopics Related Terms |