תַּחְמָס
a species of unclean bird (from its violence), perhaps an owl
Definition
תַּחְמָס (tachmâç) refers to an unclean bird prohibited as food in the Mosaic Law, listed among other birds of prey and scavengers. The precise species is uncertain, but it is traditionally understood as a bird of violence, possibly an owl or a night hawk, due to its derivation from the root meaning 'to act violently.' In both biblical occurrences (Leviticus 11:16 and Deuteronomy 14:15), it appears in identical lists of forbidden birds, indicating a consistent classification as ritually unclean. The term does not carry additional symbolic or metaphorical meanings elsewhere in Scripture, remaining strictly a zoological identifier within legal contexts.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the dietary laws of the Torah, specifically in the lists of unclean birds that the Israelites were forbidden to eat. It appears twice in identical contexts: once in Leviticus 11:16 and once in Deuteronomy 14:15. There are no variations in its usage; it simply names one of the prohibited avian species without further description or narrative application. This consistent, legalistic usage underscores its role as a fixed term in Israel's purity regulations.
Etymology
The noun תַּחְמָס derives from the root חָמַס (ḥāmaṣ, H2554), meaning 'to act violently, to wrong, to oppress.' This etymological connection suggests the bird was characterized by violent or predatory behavior. Cognates in other Semitic languages also relate to violence or plunder. The name likely originated from observed traits of the bird, emphasizing its nature as a raptor or aggressive species, which influenced its classification as unclean.
Semantic Range
As an unclean bird, תַּחְמָס contributes to the theological theme of holiness and separation in Israel's covenant life. Its prohibition under the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 11:16, Deuteronomy 14:15) taught Israelites to distinguish between clean and unclean, reflecting God's call to be set apart. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches Bible reading by highlighting how dietary laws symbolized moral and spiritual purity, pointing to the need for holiness in all aspects of life. It also foreshadows the New Testament's teaching on spiritual cleanliness through Christ (e.g., Mark 7:19, Acts 10:9-16).
In ancient Israelite culture, birds like the תַּחְמָס were avoided not only for dietary reasons but also due to their association with violence and scavenging, which were considered ritually defiling. The exact species remains debated among scholars; while traditional translations like the KJV render it 'night hawk,' modern interpretations often suggest an owl or another nocturnal bird of prey. This uncertainty reflects differences between ancient Near Eastern zoological knowledge and modern taxonomy, but the cultural understanding of its unclean nature is clear from its consistent placement among predatory birds in biblical lists.
נֵץ (nēṣ, H5322) — a general term for a hawk or falcon, often used in broader contexts, whereas תַּחְמָס specifies a particular unclean species. יַעֲנָה (yaʿănâ, H3284) — refers to an ostrich or owl, another unclean bird, but distinguished by different behaviors and habitats. עָזְנִיָּה (ʿozniyyâ, H367) — a vulture or eagle, also unclean, but typically larger and more carrion-focused.
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.
Full methodology & sources →