Swan

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

תנשמת , Leviticus 11:18; Deuteronomy 14:16 . The Hebrew word is very ambiguous, for in the first of these places, it is ranked among water-fowls; and by the Vulgate, which our version follows, rendered "swan," and in the thirtieth verse, the same word is rendered "mole," and ranked among reptiles. Some translate it in the former place, "the bat," which they justify by the affinity which there is between the bat and the mole. The LXX in the former verse render it πορφυριωνα , the porphyrion, or "purple bird," probably the "flamingo;" and in the latter, "ibis." Parkhurst shows that the name is given from the creature's breathing in a strong and audible manner; and Michaelis learnedly conjectures, that in verse eighteen, and Deuteronomy 14:16 , it may mean the "goose," which every one knows is remarkable for its manner of "breathing out" or "hissing," when approached.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Swan. (Hebrew, tinshemeth). Thus rendered by the Authorized Version in Leviticus 11:18; Deuteronomy 14:16, where it occurs in the list of unclean birds, but either of the renderings, "porphyrio," (purple water-hen), and "ibis," is more probable.

Neither of these birds occurs elsewhere in the catalogue; both would be familiar to residents in Egypt, and the original seems to point to some water-fowl. The purple water-hen is allied to our corn-crake and water-hen, and is the largest and most beautiful of the family Rallidae. It frequents marshes and the sedge by the banks of rivers in all the countries bordering on the Mediterranean and is abundant in lower Egypt.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

The Hebrew word is tanshemeth, and is mentioned among the unclean birds. The swan has been seen in Palestine, but it is rare, and, as it feeds on vegetation, it is supposed that some other bird is alluded to. The LXX and the Vulgate have the porphyrio and ibis. The R.V. has 'horned owl.' Leviticus 11:18; Deuteronomy 14:16 . Probably some water fowl is referred to, and the purple waterhen, of the Rallidae family, is a bird that would necessarily be condemned as unclean because of its feeding upon reptiles as well as birds: it seizes its prey by its long toes and conveys it to its mouth. It frequents the marshes bordering the Mediterranean.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): (n.) The constellation Cygnus.

(2): (n.) Any one of numerous species of large aquatic birds belonging to Cygnus, Olor, and allied genera of the subfamily Cygninae. They have a large and strong beak and a long neck, and are noted for their graceful movements when swimming. Most of the northern species are white. In literature the swan was fabled to sing a melodious song, especially at the time of its death.

(3): (n.) Fig.: An appellation for a sweet singer, or a poet noted for grace and melody; as Shakespeare is called the swan of Avon.

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

tinshemet . Leviticus 11:18; Deuteronomy 14:16. (See SΕΡΤUΑGΙΝΤ.) Unclean as food. Probably an unclean feeder (which the swan is not, feeding on vegetable foods) is meant; either the "ibis", or also the Ρorphyrio hyacinthinus , the purple gallinule or sultana waterhen, with rich dark blue plumage, and brilliant red beak and legs, and extraordinarily long goes, with which it grasps its food and carries it to its mouth.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

SWAN ( tinshemeth , Leviticus 11:18 , Deuteronomy 14:16 ). Swans have been found in Palestine, but are very rare. The tr. [Note: translate or translation.] of AV [Note: Authorized Version.] cannot be defended. See Owl, 5 .

E. W. G. Masterman.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

This bird is mentioned only in Leviticus 11:18 Deuteronomy 14:16; and it is there quite doubtful whether the Hebrew word means a swan. The Septuagint calls it the ibis, and the purple hen, a waterfowl.

Holman Bible Dictionary

Leviticus 11:18Deuteronomy 14:16BirdsOwl

King James Dictionary

SWAN, n. A large aquatic fowl of the genus Anas, of two varieties, the wild and the tame. The plumage is of a pure white color, and its long arching neck gives it a noble appearance.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Leviticus 11:18Deuteronomy 14:16

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

swon ( תּנשׁמת , tinshemeth , "chameleon," "tree-toad," "water-hen," "owl"; κύκνος , kúknos  ; Latin cygnus  ; Anglo-Saxon: swan and swon ): Mentioned only in old versions and the Revised Version margin in Leviticus 11:18 : "the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle," and in Deuteronomy 14:16 Septuagint πορφυρίων , porphurı́ōn = "water-hen"; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) ibis). In the Revised Version (British and American) this is rightly changed to "the horned owl, and the pelican, and the vulture." A bird of the duck family wrongly placed among the abominations in old versions of the Bible, now changed to horned owl.

White and gray swans spend their winter migratory season on the waters of the Holy Land. They are among the most ancient birds of history; always have been used for food; when young and tender, of fine flesh and delicious flavor; so there is no possibility that they were ever rightfully placed among the birds unsuitable for food. Their feeding habits are aquatic, their food in no way objectionable.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Bibliography InformationMcClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Swan'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/s/swan.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.