דָּאָה
the kite (from its rapid flight)
Definition
The Hebrew noun דָּאָה (dâʼâh) refers to a bird of prey, specifically identified as the kite. This bird is characterized by its swift, soaring flight, as suggested by its etymological connection to a verb meaning 'to fly rapidly' or 'to dart.' In the Bible, it appears exclusively in the list of unclean birds in Leviticus 11:14 and its parallel in Deuteronomy 14:13, where it is prohibited as food. The KJV translates it as 'vulture,' reflecting a broader ancient categorization of large, scavenging birds, but modern translations and ornithological study typically identify it more precisely as a kite, a member of the hawk family.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only in the context of the Mosaic Law's dietary regulations. It appears in the lists of birds that the Israelites were forbidden to eat, found in Leviticus 11:14 and Deuteronomy 14:13. There is no narrative or poetic usage; its sole function is taxonomic within the legal code defining ceremonial cleanness and uncleanness.
Etymology
Derived from the root דָּאָה (H1675), a verb meaning 'to fly swiftly' or 'to dart.' The noun form thus denotes 'the darting one,' a fitting description for the kite's agile flight. It is a cognate with other Semitic words for birds of prey, emphasizing speed and movement.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is a simple noun, its inclusion in the Levitical food laws connects it to the broader biblical themes of holiness and separation. The classification of the kite as 'unclean' (Leviticus 11:13-14) taught Israel to make distinctions in all areas of life, reflecting their call to be a holy people set apart for God. Understanding this specific term enriches the reading of these laws by highlighting the precision and intentionality behind God's instructions for His people's conduct.
In the ancient Near East, birds of prey like the kite were often associated with scavenging and death, as they fed on carrion. Their inclusion on the unclean list likely stemmed from this association with impurity and corruption, aligning with the cultural understanding that what one consumed had spiritual and symbolic significance. The modern reader might simply see a bird, but the original audience would have perceived a creature linked to realms of death and defilement.
עַיִט (ʿayiṭ, H5861) — a general term for bird of prey or ravenous bird. נֶשֶׁר (nesher, H5404) — typically the eagle or vulture, a large raptor. רָאָה (rāʾâ, H7201) — the griffon-vulture, also listed as unclean in the same passage (Leviticus 11:13).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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