Partridge
“Caller (named for its distinctive call)”
Summary
The partridge is a game bird mentioned in Scripture in connection with David's flight from Saul and as an illustration of unjust gain.
☩Biblical References
David compared his persecution by Saul to hunting a partridge on the mountains, illustrating how he was being relentlessly pursued. The partridge frequents rocky, brushwood-covered ground and when hunted is chased from place to place until fatigued, then knocked down with throwing sticks. This comparison aptly described Saul's repeated attempts to surprise and capture David in the wilderness.
☩Proverb of Jeremiah
Jeremiah used the partridge as an illustration of one who gains riches unjustly: 'As the partridge that sitteth on eggs and hatcheth them not, so is he that getteth riches, and not by right.' The image likely refers to how partridge nests on the ground are vulnerable to being disturbed or robbed, rendering the bird's brooding efforts fruitless.
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Partridge," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Partridge," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Partridge," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Partridge," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).