Gier Eagle

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

דהם ,  Leviticus 11:18;  Deuteronomy 14:17 . As the root of this word signifies tenderness and affection, it is supposed to refer to some bird remarkable for its attachment to its young; hence some have thought that the pelican is to be understood; and Bochart endeavours to prove that the golden vulture is meant; but there can be no doubt that it is the perenopterus of the ancients, the ach-bobba of the Arabians, particularly described by Bruce under the name of rachamah. He says, "We know from Horus Apollo, that the rachma, or she vulture, was sacred to Isis, and adorned the statue of the goddess; that it was the emblem of parental affection; and that it was the hieroglyphic for an affectionate mother." He farther says, that "this female vulture, having hatched her young ones, continues with them one hundred and twenty days, providing them with all necessaries; and, when the stock of food fails them, she tears off the fleshy part of her thigh, and feeds them with that and the blood which flows from the wound."

Hasselquist thus describes the Egyptian vulture: "The appearance of the bird is as horrid as can well be imagined. The face is naked and wrinkled, the eyes are large and black, the beak black and crooked, the talons large, and extended ready for prey, and the whole body polluted with filth. These are qualities enough to make the beholder shudder with horror. Notwithstanding this, the inhabitants of Egypt cannot be enough thankful to Providence for this bird. All the places round Cairo are filled with the dead bodies of asses and camels; and thousands of these birds fly about and devour the carcasses, before they putrify and fill the air with noxious exhalations." No wonder that such an animal should be deemed unclean.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

GIER Eagle (‘gier’ is the same as the German Geier , ‘vulture,’ ‘hawk,’) is tr. [Note: translate or translation.] in AV [Note: Authorized Version.] of râchâm in   Leviticus 11:16 and   Deuteronomy 14:17 , in both of which passages RV [Note: Revised Version.] has ‘ vulture .’ RV [Note: Revised Version.] gives ‘gier eagle’ also as tr. [Note: translate or translation.] of peres in   Deuteronomy 14:12 , where AV [Note: Authorized Version.] has ‘ossifrage’ (lit. ‘bone-breaker’). The peres is the bearded vulture or Lämmergeier , ‘the largest and most magnificent of the vulture tribe.’ The adult râchâm has the front of the head and the upper part of the throat and cere naked, and of a bright lemon-yellow. The plumage is of a dirty white, except the quill feathers, which are of a greyish black. Its appearance when soaring is very striking and beautiful. It is the universal scavenger of Egyptian cities. It is found in great abundance also in Palestine and Syria.

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

racham "unclean" ( Leviticus 11:18;  Deuteronomy 14:17). The Egyptian vulture (Bruce), Νeophron perenopterus; "Pharaoh's chicken," sacred to Isis, and noted for parental affection, which the Hebrew name, still applied commonly, ra chamah , means. Its usefulness as the scavenger of cities has secured for it legal protection, so that it is penal to kill it. It feeds on carrion, lizards, etc. Unprepossessing in look; disgusting in habits.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

racham, rachamah. The name occurs only in the list of birds not to be eaten. Being classed with the swan and the pelican, it has been thought to be some water-fowl; but it is more generally considered to be the Egyptian Vulture. It visits Palestine only in the summer. It eats any carrion, and is highly respected in the East.  Leviticus 11:18;  Deuteronomy 14:17 .

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Leviticus 11:18 Deuteronomy 14:17