ὄρνεον

a bird

Definition

The Greek word ὄρνεον is a neuter noun meaning 'bird' or 'fowl.' In the New Testament, it consistently refers to birds in a general sense, without distinguishing between specific types. All three of its occurrences are found in the book of Revelation, where it describes scavenging birds gathered for a gruesome feast. In Revelation 18:2, it is part of the imagery depicting Babylon as a desolate haunt for unclean creatures. In Revelation 19:17-18 and 19:21, an angel summons the birds to eat the flesh of the defeated armies gathered against God, a powerful image of divine judgment.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in the book of Revelation. Its usage is highly thematic and symbolic, rather than descriptive of everyday birds. In all three instances (Revelation 18:2, 19:17, 19:21), ὄρνεον appears in contexts of desolation, judgment, and carnage. The birds are summoned as scavengers to consume the remains of God's enemies after a great battle, emphasizing the totality and finality of divine judgment.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek root ὄρνις (ornis, G3733), which also means 'bird' or 'hen.' Ὄρνεον is a related noun form, essentially functioning as a synonym. The root is ancient and common in Indo-European languages, connected to words for bird in other languages, reflecting a basic, long-standing lexical category.

Semantic Range

In Revelation, ὄρνεον is not a mundane term but a potent symbol within apocalyptic literature. The summoning of birds to feast on the slain (Revelation 19:17-18) echoes Old Testament prophecies of judgment (e.g., Ezekiel 39:17-20). This imagery underscores themes of God's ultimate victory over evil, the horrific consequences of rebellion, and the completeness of His judgment. Understanding this symbolic use enriches the reading of Revelation's vivid and terrifying visions.

In the ancient Mediterranean world, birds of prey and scavengers were common sights on battlefields and in desolate places. Their presence was a stark sign of death, decay, and divine curse (as seen in prophecies against Edom in Isaiah 34:11-15). The original audience of Revelation would have immediately associated the gathering of ὄρνεα with utter destruction and divine retribution, a meaning more visceral than the modern, often neutral, concept of 'bird.'

πετεινόν (peteinon, G4071) — A more common New Testament word for 'bird,' often used in general statements or parables (e.g., Matthew 6:26). Ὄρνεον in Revelation carries a more specific, ominous, and symbolic connotation.

Word Details

Scripture References