And the pellicane, and the Geer-eagle, and the cormorant, Deuteronomy 14:17 (KJV)
Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Old Testament, records Moses’ final speeches to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. In these speeches Moses repeatedly stresses the importance of obeying God’s commandments and living in covenant fidelity.
The verse in question belongs to a passage that enumerates birds deemed unclean or detestable for the Israelites to eat. While the traditional King James Version renders Deuteronomy 14:17 as “And the stork, and the night‑hawk, and the raven,” some modern translations identify the Hebrew terms as a pelican, a gier eagle, and a cormorant. Thus the specific list of “pelican, gier eagle, and cormorant” reflects a particular translation choice rather than the wording of the KJV.
The Pelican: The Hebrew word for this bird is “ka’ath.” The pelican is a large water bird with a long beak and a prominent throat pouch, commonly found in coastal and aquatic environments. In the Israelite dietary code the pelican was classified as unclean and therefore forbidden for consumption.
The Gier Eagle (often identified as a vulture): The Hebrew term is “ra’ah.” Scholars differ on the exact species, suggesting possibilities such as the Egyptian vulture or the bearded vulture. Like the pelican, this large bird of prey was considered unclean and prohibited as food.
The Cormorant: Rendered in Hebrew as “shalak,” the cormorant is a diving bird that catches fish underwater and inhabits coastal regions. It too was listed among the birds that the Israelites were not to eat.
The significance of these dietary laws was multifaceted. They distinguished Israel from surrounding nations, promoted health and cleanliness, and reinforced obedience to God’s commandments. By refraining from certain foods, the people were reminded of their covenant identity and dedication to God.
Beyond practical concerns, the restrictions carried symbolic meaning. In the New Testament Jesus taught that it is not what enters the mouth that defiles a person, but what proceeds from the heart (Mark 7:15). This underscores a shift from external ritual purity toward inner righteousness.
For Christians today, the ceremonial food laws of the Old Testament are not binding. The apostle Paul affirms that all foods are clean for those who belong to Christ (Romans 14:14; 1 Timothy 4:4‑5). Nevertheless, believers can still draw spiritual lessons from these passages, such as the call to holiness and separation from worldly practices.
In summary, Deuteronomy 14:17 mentions birds—pelican, gier eagle, and cormorant—that were regarded as unclean and forbidden for consumption by the Israelites. While the specific list varies with translation, the underlying purpose of the law was to set Israel apart and to teach principles of obedience and inner purity that continue to speak to believers today.
