Topical Bible: The Owl: Varieties of

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The owl, a bird often associated with desolation and solitude, is mentioned several times in the Bible, symbolizing desolation and abandonment. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the owl was considered an unclean bird, and its presence often evoked a sense of foreboding or judgment. The Bible references various types of owls, each contributing to the rich tapestry of biblical symbolism and imagery.

1. Desert Owl (Hebrew: יַנְשׁוּף, yanshuph): The desert owl is mentioned in Leviticus 11:17 and Deuteronomy 14:16 as part of the list of unclean birds. "The desert owl, the screech owl, and the gull, any kind of hawk" (Leviticus 11:17). This owl is often associated with desolate places, reflecting its habitat in arid and deserted regions. Its haunting call and nocturnal nature contribute to its symbolic representation of loneliness and desolation.

2. Screech Owl (Hebrew: לִילִית, lilith): The screech owl appears in Isaiah 34:14, where it is associated with the desolation of Edom. "The desert creatures will meet with hyenas, and one wild goat will call to another. There the screech owl will settle and find her place of repose" (Isaiah 34:14). The term "lilith" has been subject to various interpretations, sometimes translated as "night creature" or "night monster," but in this context, it is understood as a type of owl, emphasizing the eerie and unsettling atmosphere of a forsaken land.

3. Great Owl (Hebrew: קִפּוֹז, qippoz): The great owl is listed among the unclean birds in Deuteronomy 14:16. "The little owl, the great owl, the white owl" (Deuteronomy 14:16). This variety of owl is noted for its larger size and is often associated with ruins and abandoned places, reinforcing the theme of desolation and divine judgment.

4. Little Owl (Hebrew: כּוֹס, kos): The little owl is mentioned in Leviticus 11:17 and Deuteronomy 14:16. "The little owl, the cormorant, the great owl" (Deuteronomy 14:16). Known for its small size and elusive nature, the little owl is often found in rocky crevices and ruins, symbolizing the hidden and secretive aspects of desolation.

5. White Owl (Hebrew: תִּנְשֶׁמֶת, tinshemet): The white owl is included in the list of unclean birds in Deuteronomy 14:16. "The great owl, the white owl, the desert owl" (Deuteronomy 14:16). This owl is characterized by its pale plumage, which may contribute to its association with ghostly and desolate imagery.

In biblical literature, the owl serves as a powerful symbol of desolation, judgment, and the presence of the divine in the midst of abandonment. Its nocturnal habits and haunting calls evoke a sense of mystery and foreboding, often used by biblical writers to illustrate the consequences of turning away from God. The various types of owls mentioned in Scripture each add a layer of meaning to the biblical narrative, reflecting the cultural and spiritual significance of these creatures in the ancient world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 11:16,17
And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 14:15,16
And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Two Sons.
... The light is stronger than is comfortable for those owl-eyed Pharisees, who were ...
in as far as their answers were concerned, indicated only varieties of sin. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/x the two sons.htm

Monos
... give chase, I presumed it to be the cry of a bird, possibly a little owl. ... none, not
even the croc-chien, is so ugly a neighbour as certain varieties of black ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter vi monos.htm

St. Gregory the Great.
... The Capitol, on its desolate hill, lifted into the still air its fairy world of
pillars in a grave-like silence, startled only by the owl's night cry. ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter v st gregory the.htm

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

The Pilgrim's Progress
... some Love not their friends, nor their own house or home; Some start at pig, slight
chicken, love not fowl, More than they love a cuckoo, or an owl; Leave such ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm