Deuteronomy 14:15
Deuteronomy 14:15 Meaning and Explanation
“And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Owls, nighthawks, cuckoos, and all hawks are unclean.
The Context of Deuteronomy 14:15
Unclean birds continue: owls, hawks, and related species.
What Does Deuteronomy 14:15 Mean?
This verse groups nocturnal hunters (owl, night hawk) with the cuckoo and hawks. Most are predatory, though the cuckoo is a parasitic bird-nester rather than a direct predator.
The pattern across the unclean bird list emphasizes predatory nature, carrion-eating, and scavenging behavior as the markers of ritual uncleanness in birds.
Deuteronomy 14:15 in the Original Language
night hawk (טַחְמָס, tachmass) — likely a nocturnal bird of prey or nightjar.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 14:15
What does Deuteronomy 14:15 mean?
Owls, nighthawks, cuckoos, and all hawks are unclean.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 14:15?
Unclean birds continue: owls, hawks, and related species.