THE OWL IN SCRIPTURE
(Hebrew: Tachmas)

Types of Owl

There are several species of owl listed as "unclean" in the Mosaic laws in Lev. 11.13, 16-17 and Deut. 14.15-17. Their descriptions vary in different translations. Comparing the translations it becomes evident that some of the owls listed may be a different type of bird altogether. For example "the White Owl" (Deut. 14.16 NKJ and NIV) probably refers to a swan or goose. Likewise Deut. 14.17 in these translations has "Fisher Owl" or "Desert Owl". Although the Barn Owl and Tawny Owl do include fish in their diet, it is more likely that the bird described here is the Pelican.

Another point worth bearing in mind is that the Short-eared Owl listed in Lev.11.16 and Deut. 14.15, NKJ does not nest in or stay in the Middle East region. So the description possibly refers to the Little Owl'' (kowc), which is about 10 inches in' length and is one of the most widely distributed owls in Palestine. It is to be found in thickets, olive groves and desolate ruins.

By contrast, the Long-eared or Homed Owl is about 15 inches in length and is also possibly one of the creatures depicted as inhabiting the ruins of Edom (Isa.34.11), as this bird frequents wooded and desolate areas. The ear-like erectile tufts on the side of its broad head (sometimes referred to as horns) earned this species its name.

Birds in general do not have outside ears like humans and mammals do. The nearest equivalent is a flap of skin covered with feathers cupping the front edge of the ear opening in owls. The Long-eared Owl has ears placed asymmetrically in its head, increasing the time lag between the arrival at each ear of the same sound, so allowing the bird to pinpoint the source of the sound.

The Egyptian ("Dark Desert") Eagle Owl is the largest and most powerful of the owls found in the region. It has a loud, prolonged, powerful hoot, which has influenced some to assume it to be the bird intended in Isa. 13.21. However, this is by no means certain as the marginal note has both "Daughters of Owls" and "Ostriches". The cries of owls range from a small screech to a booming, hooting sound.

Hunting and Feeding

Generally owls are night birds of prey. The Little Owl is a twilight hunter, while the Short-eared Owl is the real exception, being a daytime hunter. Like hawks, owls seize their prey with talons, using sheer speed to fly their prey down. Like other birds of prey, owls tear up the prey when their young are small, and feed them morsels, unlike other types of birds which bring items in their bill and push them more or less intact into the wide open gapes of the nestlings.

Special Design Features

  1. The owl has an astonishingly 'flexible neck, allowing it to turn its head almost full circle, so that its face can be kept towards anything moving around it.
  2. The Owl has a reversible toe on each foot, so that while the other toes point forward, this outer toe can be turned outward
    or even backward, thereby enabling the bird to get a firm grip on a variety of objects.
  3. The owl's wings are ultrasonically quiet; the soft down on the upper surfaces and the feathery fringes on the leading and trailing edges of the wings apparently serve to reduce the turbulence of the air flow. The owl noiselessly swoops through the darkness and silently drops down on its unsuspecting prey.
  4. In the tubular eyes of owls, the pupil and lens are greatly enlarged, increasing the light-gathering power of the eye, and the large almost spherical lens throws a small bright image on the retina. The retina of an owl also contains a high proportion of cells with poor visual acuity and no colour perception, but great sensitivity to light. The result is a gain in light-gathering efficiency, so great that the Long-eared and Bam Owls can see in light up to 100 times poorer than the minimum needed by a human.

The eyes are situated more to the front of their heads for keeping their prey in view. This also allows them to judge distance accurately.

Reflecting upon these special design features of the owl, we surely are full of wonder and praise for the wisdom of the living God who created this beautiful bird (Psalm 148.1,10). Perhaps we can learn a lesson from the owl and be wise pilgrims in this spiritually darkened world. Let us endeavour to concentrate on light-gathering knowledge of Scripture, enabling us to keep the Kingdom clearly in view ahead, not distracted by the attractive colours and movements of those around us (Matt.6.33, Phil. 3.14, John 8.12).

D.A.P .