What Does the Bible Say About Fowls? Unraveling the Mystery

When we think of fowls, we often think of chickens, ducks, and other birds commonly found on farms. But what does the Bible say about fowls? Let's take a closer look.

The Definition of Fowl in the Bible

The word "fowl" appears many times in the Bible, but what does it actually mean? According to Strong's Concordance, the Hebrew word for fowl is "owph," which can refer to any kind of bird, whether it is wild or domesticated.

Fowls in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, fowls are often mentioned in connection with sacrifices. Leviticus 1:14-17 says:

"14 And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the Lord be of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons. 15 And the priest shall bring it unto the altar, and wring off his head, and burn it on the altar; and the blood thereof shall be wrung out at the side of the altar: 16 And he shall pluck away his crop with his feathers, and cast it beside the altar on the east part, by the place of the ashes: 17 And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, but shall not divide it asunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that is upon the fire: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord."

Here we see that fowls were sometimes used as offerings to the Lord, and the priests would sacrifice them on the altar. Turtledoves and young pigeons were the most common fowls used for sacrifice.

The Symbolism of Fowls in the Bible

Fowls are also used as symbolism in the Bible. In Matthew 13:3-8, Jesus tells the parable of the sower:

"3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold."

In this parable, the fowls represent the devil, who comes and takes away the word of God from those who hear it but do not understand it. The stony places and thorns represent the distractions and obstacles in life that keep people from fully accepting and living out the word of God.

Famous Fowls in the Bible

There are also some famous fowls mentioned in the Bible. One of the most well-known is the rooster that crowed three times after Peter denied Jesus three times. Matthew 26:74-75 says:

"74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly."

This rooster is often used as a symbol of Peter's betrayal and repentance.

Conclusion

So what does the Bible say about fowls? Fowls are mentioned many times in the Bible, and can refer to any kind of bird, whether it is wild or domesticated. They were sometimes used as sacrifices, and are also used as symbolism in parables. While they may seem like insignificant creatures, even fowls have a place in the Bible and can teach us important lessons about faith and obedience.