Deuteronomy 14:12
But these are they of which ye shall not eat: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,
Original Language Analysis
וְזֶ֕ה
H2088
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 8
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תֹאכְל֖וּ
But these are they of which ye shall not eat
H398
תֹאכְל֖וּ
But these are they of which ye shall not eat
Strong's:
H398
Word #:
4 of 8
to eat (literally or figuratively)
Historical Context
Raptors were associated with Canaanite divination practices (augury—reading omens from bird flight). By forbidding their consumption, God distanced Israel from pagan omen-reading and declared such birds ritually impure, reinforcing monotheistic worship.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern 'carrion' (toxic relationships, media, habits) feeds on your spiritual death rather than life?
- How does categorizing creation morally (not just scientifically) shape a biblical worldview?
- Why does holiness require not just avoiding evil but refusing even proximity to death and corruption?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But these are they of which ye shall not eat—The negative catalogue begins with birds of prey: the eagle (נֶשֶׁר, nesher, possibly vulture), ossifrage (פֶּרֶס, peres, bearded vulture), and ospray (עָזְנִיָּה, ozniyah, black vulture). These carrion-eaters symbolized death and decay, unfit for a people called to life and holiness.
The prohibition's principle extends beyond hygiene to theology: Israel must not internalize death. Just as scavengers feed on corruption, sin feeds on spiritual death. Paul echoes this: Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). The clean/unclean taxonomy trained Israel to see creation through God's moral categories, not merely biological ones.