Swan
Summary
A bird mentioned in older Bible translations among the unclean birds, though modern translations often substitute 'horned owl' or another water bird.
☩Identification Difficulty
The Hebrew word tinshemeth appears in the lists of unclean birds, but its identification is uncertain. The King James Version renders it 'swan,' but this is unlikely since swans feed on vegetation and would not typically be classified as unclean. Modern translations often substitute 'horned owl' or 'water hen.' The Septuagint renders it as porphyrion (purple water-hen) or ibis, either of which better fits the context of unclean birds.
☩Alternative Identifications
The purple water-hen (Porphyrio) is a likely candidate, as it frequents marshes around the Mediterranean and feeds on reptiles and small birds, making it ritually unclean. The ibis, sacred to the Egyptians, is another possibility. Both birds were known to residents of Egypt and would naturally be marked as unclean if associated with pagan worship.
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Swan," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Swan," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.George Morrish, "Swan," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).