night hawk Summary and Overview

Leviticus 11:16; Deuteronomy 14:15. Tachmas, "the violent one." Rather "the owl." Bochart and Gesenius take it "the male ostrich" and bath hayanah (KJV "owl") "the female ostrich." But the Septuagint and the Vulgate translated it "owl." The Arabic chamash is "to tear a face with claws." The "oriental owl" (Hasselquist), "the nightjar," appearing only in twilight, and passing and repassing round a tree to catch large insects; hence regarded with superstitious awe. The white barn owl (Strix flammea) may be the one meant, since it has gleaming blue eyes, corresponding to the Septuagint Greek glaux, whereas others have yellow or orange-colored eyes.