The owl is a bird mentioned several times in the Bible, often symbolizing desolation and loneliness. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the owl was associated with ruins and deserted places, reflecting its nocturnal and solitary nature. The Hebrew words often translated as "owl" in the Bible include "yanshuph" and "qippoz," though the exact species these terms refer to can be uncertain.

Biblical References:

1. Leviticus 11:16-17 · In the context of dietary laws, the owl is listed among the unclean birds that the Israelites were forbidden to eat: "the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl."

2. Deuteronomy 14:15-16 · Similar to Leviticus, this passage reiterates the prohibition against consuming owls: "the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, the little owl, the great owl, the white owl."

3. Job 30:29 · Here, Job laments his condition, comparing himself to an owl: "I have become a brother of jackals, a companion of ostriches." The imagery suggests isolation and mourning, as owls were often associated with desolate places.

4. Psalm 102:6 · The psalmist uses the owl to express feelings of loneliness and abandonment: "I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins." This verse highlights the owl's symbolic connection to desolation.

5. Isaiah 13:21 · In a prophecy against Babylon, owls are mentioned as inhabitants of the desolate city: "But desert creatures will lie down there, and their houses will be full of owls; ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about."

6. Isaiah 34:11 · In the prophecy against Edom, the owl is again depicted as a resident of desolation: "The desert owl and screech owl will possess it; the great owl and the raven will dwell in it. The LORD will stretch out over Edom the measuring line of chaos and the plumb line of desolation."

7. Zephaniah 2:14 · The owl is mentioned in the context of judgment against Nineveh: "Flocks and herds will lie down in her midst, creatures of every kind. The desert owl and the screech owl will roost on her columns. Their calls will echo through the windows; rubble will be in the doorways, and the beams of cedar will be exposed."

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In biblical literature, the owl often symbolizes desolation, judgment, and mourning. Its presence in prophetic texts underscores the theme of divine judgment leading to ruin and abandonment. The owl's nocturnal habits and haunting calls contribute to its association with solitude and desolation.

The owl's role as an unclean bird in the dietary laws further emphasizes its symbolic representation of things to be avoided or shunned. In the broader biblical narrative, the owl serves as a powerful image of the consequences of turning away from God, leading to spiritual and physical desolation.