Deuteronomy 14:18 Meaning and Explanation
“And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The stork, herons, lapwing, and bat are unclean.
The Context of Deuteronomy 14:18
Conclusion of unclean birds: wading birds, lapwing, and bat.
What Does Deuteronomy 14:18 Mean?
Storks and herons are wading birds; the lapwing is a smaller shorebird; the bat, though technically a mammal, is grouped with birds here. The list concludes with these water-adjacent and unusual creatures.
The bat's appearance here is striking—it demonstrates that the law groups creatures by behavior and ecological niche as much as taxonomy. The bat's nocturnal flight makes it bird-like in function.
Deuteronomy 14:18 in the Original Language
bat (עַטַלֵּף, atalef) — a nocturnal flying mammal, classified here with birds because it flies and hunts at night.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 14:18
What does Deuteronomy 14:18 mean?
The stork, herons, lapwing, and bat are unclean.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 14:18?
Conclusion of unclean birds: wading birds, lapwing, and bat.