Easton: Night-hawk

public · engine · 2026-05-19

Source: Matthew Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary (1897) (Night-hawk) · external_aligned

(Heb. tahmas) occurs only in the list of unclean birds (Lev. 11:16; Deut. 14:15). This was supposed to be the night-jar (Caprimulgus), allied to the swifts. The Hebrew word is derived from a root meaning “to scratch or tear the face,” and may be best rendered, in accordance with the ancient versions, “an owl” (Strix flammea). The Revised Version renders “night-hawk.”

Witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15)

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