Birds

Part of the created world, used for food. In OT times they were also used in sacrifices. In Scripture, birds are used in many metaphors.

Part of creation

Genesis 1:21 See also Genesis 1:20–30, Genesis 2:20; 1 Corinthians 15:39; James 3:7

So God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters teemed according to their kinds, and every winged bird after its kind. And God saw that it was good.

Cared for by God

Luke 12:24 parallel Matthew 6:26 See also Job 38:41; Psalm 50:11, Psalm 147:9

Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds!

To be cared for by humanity

Deuteronomy 22:6–7

Specific varieties of bird

Raven

Genesis 8:7; 1 Kings 17:4; Song of Solomon 5:11

Eagle

Exodus 19:4; Job 39:27; Proverbs 23:5; Isaiah 40:31; Jeremiah 49:16; Ezekiel 17:3; Daniel 4:33; Hosea 8:1

Hen

Matthew 23:37

Cock

Proverbs 30:31; Matthew 26:74

Ostrich

Job 39:13–18; Lamentations 4:3

Owl

Psalm 102:6; Isaiah 34:11, Isaiah 34:15; Jeremiah 50:39; Micah 1:8; Zephaniah 2:14

Quail

Exodus 16:13; Numbers 11:31–32; Psalm 105:40

Sparrow

Psalm 84:3; Proverbs 26:2; Matthew 10:29–31

Stork

Psalm 104:17; Jeremiah 8:7; Zechariah 5:9

Vulture

Job 15:23; Proverbs 30:17; Micah 1:16; Habakkuk 1:8; Matthew 24:28

Birds of prey

Deuteronomy 28:26; 1 Samuel 17:46; 1 Kings 16:4; Isaiah 18:6; Jeremiah 12:9; Revelation 19:17–18

Protected at the flood

Genesis 6:20 See also Genesis 8:17–19

Two of every kind of bird and animal and crawling creature will come to you to be kept alive.

Used in sacrifice

Genesis 8:20 See also Genesis 15:10; Leviticus 1:14, Leviticus 12:8, Leviticus 14:3–7, Leviticus 14:49–53; Luke 2:22–24

Then Noah built an altar to the LORD. And taking from every kind of clean animal and clean bird, he offered burnt offerings on the altar.

Used as food

Deuteronomy 14:11 See also Leviticus 17:13–14

You may eat any clean bird,

Some not to be eaten

Leviticus 20:25 See also Leviticus 11:13–19 parallel Deuteronomy 14:12–18

You are therefore to distinguish between clean and unclean animals and birds. Do not become contaminated by any animal or bird, or by anything that crawls on the ground; I have set these apart as unclean for you.

Not to be used as an object of worship

Deuteronomy 4:15–17 See also Romans 1:23

So since you saw no form of any kind on the day the LORD spoke to you out of the fire at Horeb, be careful that you do not act corruptly and make an idol for yourselves of any form or shape, whether in the likeness of a male or female, of any beast that is on the earth or bird that flies in the air,

Appearing in dreams and visions

Genesis 40:17; Acts 11:6; Revelation 4:7, Revelation 12:14

Used metaphorically

Of freedom

Psalm 55:6 See also Psalm 11:1

I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest.

Of isolation

Psalm 102:7

I lie awake; I am like a lone bird on a housetop.

Of powerlessness

Hosea 11:11

They will come trembling like birds from Egypt and like doves from the land of Assyria. Then I will settle them in their homes, declares the LORD.

Of being trapped

Psalm 124:7 See also Proverbs 6:5, Proverbs 7:23; Jeremiah 5:26; Lamentations 3:52; Ezekiel 13:20; Hosea 7:12; Amos 3:5

We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; the net is torn, and we have slipped away.

Of cruel invaders

Isaiah 46:11 See also Deuteronomy 28:49–50

I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it.

Of an object of hatred

Jeremiah 12:9

Is not My inheritance to Me like a speckled bird of prey with other birds of prey circling against her? Go, gather all the beasts of the field; bring them to devour her.