Pelican

קָאָת/PEL-ih-kuhn/

“To vomit (referring to how it feeds its young)”

Summary

The pelican was a large water bird listed among the unclean animals and used in Scripture as a symbol of desolation and loneliness.

☩Unclean Bird

The pelican was included among the birds forbidden as food under the Mosaic law. Two species existed in Palestine: the white pelican and the brownish-gray pelican, both large birds with wingspans over twelve feet.

Key verses:Leviticus 11:18Deuteronomy 14:17

☩Symbol of Desolation

The Psalmist compared his pitiable condition to 'a pelican of the wilderness,' referencing the bird's melancholy appearance as it sits in solitary silence. The pelican was also used as a symbol of the desolation coming upon Edom and Nineveh.

Key verses:Psalm 102:6Isaiah 34:11Zephaniah 2:14

☩Characteristics

The Hebrew name comes from a word meaning 'to vomit,' referring to the pelican's habit of disgorging fish from its large throat pouch to feed its young. This behavior gave rise to the ancient legend that the pelican fed its young with its own blood.

Key verses:Psalm 102:6

Related Verses3 mentions

Leviticus· 1 verse

11:18

Deuteronomy· 1 verse

14:17

Psalms· 1 verse

102:6

References

1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Pelican," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
2.James Orr (ed.), "Pelican," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
3.George Morrish, "Pelican," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Pelican," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).