Deuteronomy 14:17
And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant,
Original Language Analysis
וְאֶֽת
H853
וְאֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 5
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָרָחָ֖מָה
and the gier eagle
H7360
הָרָחָ֖מָה
and the gier eagle
Strong's:
H7360
Word #:
3 of 5
a kind of vulture (supposed to be tender towards its young)
Historical Context
Pelicans inhabited desolate places (Psalm 102:6), symbolizing isolation and mourning. Their association with wastelands and their scavenging habits made them ritually impure despite later Christian allegorization.
Questions for Reflection
- What outwardly 'beautiful' religious practices might you maintain while harboring inward uncleanness?
- How does God's rejection of the pelican (despite its later Christian symbolism) warn against imposing meaning on Scripture rather than receiving it?
- In what areas are you tempted to value appearance over heart reality?
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Analysis & Commentary
The pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant—Water birds complete this section: qa'ath (קָאָת, pelican or desert owl), raham (רָחָם, carrion vulture), shalak (שָׁלָךְ, cormorant). Pelicans were thought to feed their young with their own blood (medieval Christian symbolism of Christ), yet here they're unclean—showing even beautiful images can be ritually unfit.
The deeper principle: external appearance doesn't determine holiness. Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). The Pharisees resembled pelicans—outwardly impressive in devotion, yet inwardly unclean. Jesus warned: Ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones (Matthew 23:27).