swan Summary and Overview

mentioned in the list of unclean birds (Lev. 11:18; Deut. 14:16), is sometimes met with in the Jordan and the Sea of Galilee.

(Heb. tinshemeth), thus rendered by the Authorized Version in #Le 11:18; De 14:16| where it occurs in the list of unclean birds Rut either of the renderings "porphyrio" (purple water-hen) and "ibis" is more probable. Neither of these birds occurs elsewhere in the catalogue; both would be familiar to residents in Egypt, and the original seems to point to some water-fowl. The purple water-hen is allied to our corn-crake and water-hen, and is the largest and most beautiful of the family Rallidae. It frequents marshes and the sedge by the banks of rivers in all the countries bordering on the Mediterranean and is abundant in lower Egypt.

SWAN . This bird is mentioned only in Lev 11:18; Deut 14:16, and there as unclean. The swan is very rare in the Levant, while there seems to be no reason why it should not be eaten. It is possible that the sacred ibis, once abundant in Egypt may be meant, or the purple gallinule. Either of these birds might naturally be forbidden as food, from its unclean diet, and the former, also, as connected with idolatry. SWEAR Ps 15:4. See Oath.

tinshemet. Leviticus 11:18; Deuteronomy 14:16. (See SEPTUAGINT.) Unclean as food. Probably an unclean feeder (which the swan is not, feeding on vegetable foods) is meant; either the "ibis", or also the Porphyrio hyacinthinus, the purple gallinule or sultana waterhen, with rich dark blue plumage, and brilliant red beak and legs, and extraordinarily long goes, with which it grasps its food and carries it to its mouth.