In the biblical context, the swan is mentioned in the dietary laws given to the Israelites, where it is classified among the birds that are considered unclean and therefore forbidden as food. The specific prohibition against eating the swan is found in the Old Testament, within the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, which outline the dietary restrictions for the people of Israel.

Biblical References:

1. Leviticus 11:18 : "the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat." While the Berean Standard Bible does not explicitly mention the swan in this verse, the King James Version includes the term "swan" in its list of unclean birds. The Hebrew word translated as "swan" in some versions is "tinshemeth," which has been subject to various interpretations, leading to differences in translation.

2. Deuteronomy 14:16 : "the little owl, the great owl, the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, the cormorant, the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat." Similar to Leviticus, the Berean Standard Bible does not list the swan explicitly, but the King James Version includes it, reflecting the translation of "tinshemeth" as "swan."

Interpretation and Context:

The dietary laws in Leviticus and Deuteronomy serve as a means of setting the Israelites apart from other nations, emphasizing holiness and obedience to God's commandments. The classification of certain animals as unclean is part of a broader system of ritual purity that governed various aspects of daily life for the Israelites.

The identification of the swan as an unclean bird in some translations highlights the challenges of translating ancient Hebrew terms, which may not correspond directly to modern species. The term "tinshemeth" has been variously interpreted as referring to different types of birds, including the swan, owl, or other waterfowl, depending on the translation and scholarly interpretation.

Cultural and Religious Significance:

In the ancient Near Eastern context, dietary laws were not merely about health or nutrition but were deeply intertwined with religious identity and covenantal faithfulness. By adhering to these laws, the Israelites demonstrated their commitment to God and distinguished themselves from surrounding cultures.

The prohibition against eating certain birds, including those identified as swans in some translations, reflects a broader principle of separation from practices deemed impure or inappropriate for God's chosen people. These laws served as a constant reminder of the Israelites' unique relationship with God and their calling to live according to His statutes.

Modern Considerations:

While the specific dietary laws of the Old Testament are not typically observed by Christians today, who believe that Christ's fulfillment of the law has rendered such regulations non-binding (see Acts 10:9-16; Colossians 2:16-17), the principles underlying these laws continue to hold spiritual significance. They remind believers of the importance of holiness, obedience, and the distinctiveness of a life dedicated to God.

In summary, the swan, as mentioned in some translations of the Bible, is part of the broader category of unclean birds forbidden as food under the Mosaic Law. This prohibition reflects the theological and cultural context of ancient Israel and serves as a testament to the enduring principles of holiness and separation that characterize the biblical narrative.Leviticus 11:18
And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle,
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 14:16
The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,
Nave's Topical Index

Whether There was any Reasonable Cause for the Ceremonial ...
... which flies at a great height, pride is forbidden: in the ... The screech-owl, which
seeks its food by night but hides ... The swan is bright in color, and by the aid ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there was any reasonable.htm

The Creation of Fowl and Water Animals.
... Listen, Christians, you to whom it is forbidden to "recompense ... to fly, she follows
them, gives them food, and for ... Notice how the swan plunges his neck into the ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily viii the creation of.htm

The Bishop Elect and Consecrate
... But in his last Easter the swan seemed ill and sullen ... the news, for the Conqueror
long ago had forbidden unauthorised anathemas ... him, to get or to ask for food.{5 ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter iv the bishop elect.htm

Letter Lii. To Nepotian.
... at the approach of death sang each of them a swan song sweeter ... [1343] Having food
and raiment ... wine are both condemned by the apostle [1378] and forbidden by the ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lii to nepotian.htm

Epilogue: a victim of Divine Love
... that all unnecessary conversation was forbidden, and therefore ... her altogether of
this Heavenly Food, Our Lord ... in raptured ecstasies"like the swan, whose song ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/epilogue a victim of divine.htm

A Canticle of Love
... that all unnecessary conversation was forbidden, and therefore ... her altogether of
this Heavenly Food, Our Lord ... in raptured ecstasies"like the swan, whose song ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/martin/the story of a soul/chapter xi a canticle of.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
Gregory of Nyssa: Dogmatic Treatises, Etc. <. ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... he was traveling in the dark; for having been preserved in sickness; and also for
providential goodness that such a sinner was sustained with food and raiment ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

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