Falcon
“A bird of prey, possibly falcon or kite”
Summary
A bird of prey from the hawk family, known for its keen eyesight and hunting ability, listed among the unclean birds in the Mosaic law and still used for hunting in the East.
☩Biblical References
The falcon is mentioned among the unclean birds in Levitical law (Leviticus 11:14, Deuteronomy 14:13), though the exact identification of Hebrew bird names is sometimes uncertain. In Job 28:7, the falcon's renowned keen eyesight is referenced: 'That path no bird of prey knoweth, neither hath the falcon's eye seen it'—implying that if even the sharp-eyed falcon cannot find the hidden path to wisdom's mine, it is truly concealed.
☩Falconry in the East
The falcon has been trained for hunting in the East since ancient times and remains so today. In Palestine, large falcons are kept for hunting partridges, with the bird launching from the hunter's wrist to swoop down upon its prey. After striking its quarry, the falcon is rewarded by being allowed to drink the blood. Smaller falcons are used to catch quail, and near Aleppo, falcons assist in capturing gazelles by fastening on their foreheads and blinding them. Though there is no certain evidence Jews practiced falconry, the sport was well known in their region.
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Falcon," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Falcon," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).