Topical Bible: Raven: Forbidden As Food

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The raven, a bird of the Corvidae family, is mentioned several times in the Bible, often symbolizing desolation and divine provision. In the context of dietary laws, the raven is explicitly listed among the birds that are forbidden as food for the Israelites.

Biblical References:

1. Leviticus 11:13-15 : "Additionally, you are to detest the following birds, and they must not be eaten because they are detestable: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, the kite, any kind of falcon, every kind of raven." This passage is part of the Levitical dietary laws given to the Israelites, which outline clean and unclean animals. The raven is categorized as unclean, and thus, it is forbidden for consumption.

2. Deuteronomy 14:12-14 : "But these you may not eat: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, the red kite, the falcon, any kind of kite, any kind of raven." This reiteration of the dietary laws in Deuteronomy underscores the prohibition against eating ravens, emphasizing the importance of adhering to God's commandments regarding clean and unclean animals.

Symbolism and Significance:

The raven holds a significant place in biblical narratives beyond dietary restrictions. It is often associated with themes of desolation and divine provision. For instance, in Genesis 8:7, Noah sends out a raven after the flood to see if the waters had receded. The raven "kept flying back and forth until the waters had dried up from the earth," symbolizing the ongoing desolation outside the ark.

In 1 Kings 17:4-6, God uses ravens to provide for the prophet Elijah during a time of drought and famine. The ravens bring him bread and meat, demonstrating God's sovereignty and provision even through creatures deemed unclean.

Cultural and Theological Context:

The prohibition against eating ravens is part of a broader set of dietary laws that served to set the Israelites apart as a holy people dedicated to God. These laws were not only about physical health but also about spiritual obedience and identity. By abstaining from unclean animals, the Israelites demonstrated their commitment to God's covenant and their distinctiveness from surrounding nations.

The raven, as an unclean bird, serves as a reminder of the boundaries set by God for His people. It also highlights the theme of divine provision, as seen in the account of Elijah, where God uses even the unclean to fulfill His purposes. This duality reflects the complexity of God's creation and His ability to work through all aspects of it for the good of His people.

Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 11:15
Every raven after his kind;
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 14:14
And every raven after his kind,
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Library

Letter cvii. To Laeta.
... Those I mean by which the worshippers were initiated as Raven, Bridegroom, Soldier,
Lion ... week is added to week and even oil and apples are forbidden as food. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cvii to laeta.htm

The Story of Noah and the Ark
... had eaten of the tree that God had forbidden them to eat ... put them in their places,
and brought in food enough to ... a window, and let loose a bird called a raven. ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of noah and.htm

Whether There was any Reasonable Cause for the Ceremonial ...
... flies at a great height, pride is forbidden: in the ... or those who lack kindly feelings,
for the raven did not ... The screech-owl, which seeks its food by night but ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there was any reasonable.htm

Psalm CIII.
... It cometh to its food, and everything is restored: it will ... For it is forbidden to
give unto a sinner, and ... off, and in them crieth out the raven's voice, "Cras! ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm ciii.htm

1 Cor. vi. 12
... he speaks thus with regard to things forbidden, such not ... them, saying, (1 Timothy
6:8.) "Having food and covering ... even of the brutes; since the raven, and the ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xvii 1 cor vi.htm

Anxious Care
... used, foresight is commanded, and, therefore, foreboding is forbidden. ... but for heaven;
not for food and raiment ... solitary and hopeless flight"the raven of his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/anxious care.htm

The Survival of the Fittest.
... and bird are taken into the ark to provide food for Noah ... forth a raven and let it
loose, The raven went forth ... in New York, before such work was forbidden by law ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kent/the making of a nation/study iv the survival of.htm

The Fifth Commandment
... Luke 17:7. They should see that the food be wholesome ... The Rechabites were forbidden
by their father to drink wine ... children; and are not like the raven or ostrich ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 5 the fifth commandment.htm

The True Christian's Blessedness
... is no opposition in God's providence; the raven wing of ... on my daily labor, are crying
for food: will this ... my hand to touch that which is forbidden, or allow my ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the true christians blessedness.htm

Holiness Demanded
... there, of the earth, earthy, soon to be food for corruption ... mind to indulge the flesh,
and to enjoy forbidden dainties when ... a lion to a lamb, and a raven to a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 50 1904/holiness demanded.htm