Ossifrage in Biblical History

Bible History

Schaff's Bible Dictionary

Definitions in Biblical History
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

What is an Ossifrage?
OS'SIFRAGE
(Heb. the breaker). The original word well suits the remarkable habits of the lammergeier, or bearded vulture, known also among the Alps, and one of the most formidable birds of its tribe. It is mentioned with the ospray, as above. The propriety of the name "ossi-frage" - i.e., "bone-breaker" - is seen from the following description: "Marrow- bones are the dainties he (the lammergeyer) loves the best; and when the other vultures have picked the flesh off any animal, he comes in at the end of the feast and swallows the bones, or breaks them and swallows Ossifrage or Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus). the pieces if he cannot get the marrow out otherwise. The bones he cracks by taking them to a great height and letting them fall upon a stone. This is probably the bird that dropped a tortoise on the bald head of poor old AEschylus. Not, however, that he restricts himself, or the huge black infant that he and his mate are bringing up in one of the many holes with which the limestone precipice abounds, to marrow, turtle, bones, and similar delicacies; neither lamb, hare, nor kid comes amiss to him, though, his power of claw and beak being feeble for so large a bird, he cannot tear his meat like other eagles. To make amends for this, his powers of deglutition are enormous." - N. H. Simpson.

Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'ossifrage' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
bible-history.com - Schaff's

Copyright Information
© Schaff's Bible Dictionary

Schaff's Bible Dictionary Home
Bible History Online Home

Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
Online Bible (KJV)
Naves Topical Bible
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Schaff's Bible Dictionary
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Hitchcock's Bible Dictionary

Schaff's Bible Dictionary

Popular in the New Testament

Popular in the
New Testament