Raven
“Black”
Summary
The raven is a large black carnivorous bird, used by Noah to explore the receding floodwaters and later employed by God to feed the prophet Elijah at the brook Cherith.
☩Description and Characteristics
The Hebrew word oreb, from a root meaning "black," refers to the raven and related corvid species including crows. The raven (Corvus corax) is a large bird weighing about three pounds, intensely black with iridescent purple and green hues in its plumage. It has greater sagacity than crows, can be taught to articulate words, and exhibits remarkable intelligence. The raven is solitary rather than gregarious, driving away even its own young once they can care for themselves, and is found in nearly every country though never abundant. Several species exist in Palestine.
☩Biblical References
The raven was the first bird Noah sent from the ark, which went "to and fro" feeding on floating carcasses until the waters dried up. It was forbidden as food under the Mosaic law because of its carnivorous and carrion-eating habits. Most remarkably, God commanded ravens to feed Elijah at the brook Cherith, bringing him bread and flesh morning and evening. This demonstrated God's power to override the ravens' naturally voracious and selfish instincts to serve His purposes. The raven's readiness to attack the eye of its prey is alluded to in Proverbs 30:17.
☩Divine Providence
Scripture uses the raven to illustrate God's providential care for His creatures. Job 38:41 and Psalm 147:9 describe God providing for young ravens that cry to Him. Jesus drew on this imagery: "Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?" The raven's restless flying in constant search for food, combined with its reputation as an unclean bird, makes God's care for it a powerful argument that He will surely care for those who trust in Him.
Related Verses11 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Raven," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Raven," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Raven," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Raven," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 5.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Raven," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).