Topical Encyclopedia
The crow, a bird often associated with desolation and uncleanliness, is mentioned in the Bible in various contexts. While the specific term "crow" is not frequently used in most English translations, the bird is often understood to be part of the broader category of unclean birds, which includes ravens and other similar species.
Biblical References and SymbolismIn the Bible, birds like the crow are often used symbolically to represent desolation and judgment. For instance, in
Isaiah 34:11, the prophet speaks of the desolation of Edom, where "the owl and the raven will dwell there." Although the Berean Standard Bible uses "raven," the imagery of a dark, scavenging bird is consistent with the characteristics of a crow. This association with desolation underscores the crow's symbolic role in conveying messages of divine judgment and the consequences of sin.
Dietary LawsAccording to Levitical law, crows, along with other birds of prey and scavengers, are considered unclean and are not to be eaten.
Leviticus 11:13-15 lists various birds that are detestable, including those that are similar to crows. The emphasis on dietary restrictions serves to set the Israelites apart, teaching them to distinguish between the holy and the common, the clean and the unclean.
Noah and the RavenWhile the specific mention of a crow is absent, the account of Noah and the raven in
Genesis 8:7 is relevant. After the flood, Noah sends out a raven to see if the waters had receded. The raven, a bird akin to the crow, "kept flying back and forth until the waters had dried up from the earth" . This narrative highlights the bird's role in the unfolding of God's plan for renewal and restoration after judgment.
Cultural and Theological InsightsIn biblical times, crows and similar birds were often seen as omens or messengers. Their presence in desolate places and their scavenging nature contributed to their reputation as symbols of death and decay. From a theological perspective, the crow's association with uncleanliness and desolation serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments.
Lessons and ApplicationsThe crow, as part of the biblical narrative, invites reflection on themes of purity, judgment, and redemption. It serves as a metaphor for the spiritual desolation that can result from sin and the importance of adhering to God's laws. The crow's presence in Scripture encourages believers to seek spiritual cleanliness and to be vigilant against the desolation that sin can bring into one's life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) To make the shrill sound characteristic of a cock, either in joy, gayety, or defiance.
2. (v. i.) To shout in exultation or defiance; to brag.
3. (v. i.) To utter a sound expressive of joy or pleasure.
4. (n.) A bird, usually black, of the genus Corvus, having a strong conical beak, with projecting bristles. It has a harsh, croaking note. See Caw.
5. (n.) A bar of iron with a beak, crook, or claw; a bar of iron used as a lever; a crowbar.
6. (n.) The cry of the cock. See Crow, v. i., 1.
7. (n.) The mesentery of a beast; -- so called by butchers.
Greek
5455. phoneo -- to call out... to call out. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: phoneo Phonetic Spelling:
(fo-neh'-o) Short Definition: I
crow, shout, summon Definition: I give forth a sound
...2876. korax -- a raven
... korax. 2877 . a raven. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: korax
Phonetic Spelling: (kor'-ax) Short Definition: a raven Definition: a raven,crow...
219. alektorophonia -- the crowing of a rooster
... cockcrowing. From alektor and phone; cock-crow, ie The third night-watch -- cockcrowing.
see GREEK alektor. see GREEK phone. (alektorophonias) -- 1 Occurrence....
4691. spermologos -- a seed picker, fig. one who picks up scraps...
... babbler. From sperma and lego; a seed-picker (as thecrow), ie (figuratively) a
sponger, loafer (specially, a gossip or trifler in talk) -- babbler....
5146. tribolos -- a thistle
... brier, thistle. From treis and belos; properly, acrow-foot (three-pronged obstruction
in war), ie (by analogy) a thorny plant (caltrop) -- brier, thistle....
Library
Hymn at Cock-Crow
... I. HYMN AT COCK-CROW. Awake! the shining day is born! The herald cock proclaims
the morn: And Christ, the soul's Awakener, cries, Bidding us back to life arise....
You Observe How He Treats Ambrose. First, He Calls Him aCrow and...
... First, he calls him acrow and says that he is black all over; then he calls him
a jackdaw who decks himself in other birds' showy feathers; and then he rends...
Of the Proof of their Freedom from any Discrepancies in the...
... Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall notcrow, until thou deniest me
thrice." [1245] John, from whose Gospel I have taken the passage introduced...
John Chapter xiii. 36-38.
... Hear what thou art: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall notcrow, till
thou hast denied me thrice." See, that is how thou wilt speedily become...
Matt. xxvi. 67, 68
... And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the words of Jesus, which
said, before the cockcrow, thou shalt deny me thrice....
On the Animals
... [Ps.101(102):7 Vulgate]. Thecrow is the black of the sinner or of the demons;
in Solomon: the crows tore him from the valleys. The...
A Rash Vow
... Verily, verily I say unto thee, The cock shall notcrow, till thou hast
denied Me thrice.'"John 13:38. In the last sermon I partly...
Christ's Look
... The other Evangelists connect the sudden change in the denier with his hearing the
cockcrow only, but according to Luke there were two causes co-operating to...
Of the Manner in which it Can be Shown that no Discrepancies Exist...
... death. And He said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall notcrow this day,
before that thou shall thrice deny that thou knowest me....
Divers Machinations of the Arians against Athanasius, and his...
... It is reported, that once, as he was passing through the city, acrow was heard
to caw, and that a number of pagans who happened to be on the spot, asked him...
Thesaurus
Crow (9 Occurrences)... 6. (n.) The cry of the cock. See
Crow, vi, 1. 7. (n.) The mesentery of a beast; --
so called by butchers. Multi-Version Concordance
Crow (9 Occurrences).
...Cock-crow (1 Occurrence)
Cock-crow. Cockcrow, Cock-crow. Cockcrowing . Multi-Version
Concordance Cock-crow (1 Occurrence). Mark 13:35 Be wakeful...
Cock (12 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A chief man; a leader or master. 4. (n.) Thecrow of a cock, esp. the
firstcrow in the morning; cockcrow. 5. (n.) A faucet or valve....
Thrice (17 Occurrences)
... Thrice (17 Occurrences). Matthew 26:34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee,
That this night, before the cockcrow, thou shalt deny me thrice....
Wilt (324 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). Matthew 26:34 Jesus said to him, Verily I say to thee, that
this night, before the cock shallcrow, thou wilt deny me thrice. (WBS YLT)....
Cockcrowing (1 Occurrence)
... (n.) The time at which cocks firstcrow; the early morning. Int.... It is derived from
the habit of the cock tocrow especially toward morning. See COCK....
Crew (7 Occurrences)
... 5. (v.) imp. ofCrow. 6. (imp.) ofCrow.... And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus
said unto him, Before the cockcrow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice....
Mayest (240 Occurrences)
... Mark 14:72 and a second time a cock crew, and Peter remembered the saying that Jesus
said to him -- 'Before a cockcrow twice, thou mayest deny me thrice;' and...
Rooster (13 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS NIV). Luke 22:34 He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will by no means
crow today until you deny that you know me three times." (WEB NAS NIV)....
Raven (7 Occurrences)
... that land. Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A large black passerine bird
(Corvus corax), similar to thecrow, but larger. It is...
Resources
What is the significance of the rooster crowing in regards to Peter denying Jesus three times? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the rooster represent in Christianity? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is godly sorrow? | GotQuestions.orgCrow: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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