Ibis
NatureWhat is the meaning of Ibis in the Bible?
The sacred ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus) is identified in Isaiah 34:11 through the Hebrew term yanshoph, traditionally translated as 'owl' but subject to scholarly debate regarding its zoological classification, with the Septuagint and Vulgate rendering it as 'ibis' and the Revised Version suggesting 'bittern'.
SIGNIFICANCE
Examining the translation of yanshoph in Isaiah 34:11 clarifies the specific environmental desolation described in the prophecy, as the presence of ibises or bitterns indicates marshy, ruined landscapes rather than dry, barren wastelands.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Ibis in this passage?
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.