What the study found
Owl imagery in the Bible is rare, elusive, and often uncertain in meaning. The article says owl references appear in a few biblical contexts, including Torah food regulations, Psalm 102:7, and prophetic oracles in Isaiah and Zephaniah.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors suggest that examining these passages can help clarify what owls may have symbolized in the biblical world. They also conclude that drawing on the history of human-owl interactions and Critical Animal Studies may offer a deeper understanding of biblical texts.
What the researchers tested
The article examines biblical passages where owls are thought to appear, especially Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14, Psalm 102:7, Isaiah 13 and 34, and Zephaniah 2. It also explores the cultural symbolism of owls in the ancient world and considers insights from fields associated with Critical Animal Studies.
What worked and what didn't
The abstract says the terms that modern scholars think refer to owls are still debated and uncertain. It also states that owls are alleged to appear in three contexts in the Bible, but it does not provide the article's detailed conclusions about each passage in the abstract.
What to keep in mind
The available summary does not give detailed findings for each biblical text. It also does not describe limitations beyond noting uncertainty in identifying the owl terms.
Key points
- The article describes owl imagery in the Bible as rare, elusive, and uncertain.
- Possible owl references are discussed in Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14, Psalm 102:7, Isaiah 13 and 34, and Zephaniah 2.
- The authors suggest that owl symbolism in the ancient world is worth examining for biblical interpretation.
- The abstract notes that modern scholarly identifications of owl terms remain debated.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Isaiah’s owl imagery remains uncertain and context-dependent
- Authors:
- Phillip Michael Sherman
- Institutions:
- Maryville College
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-08
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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