Bible Dictionary
Gier eagle
The gier eagle, or Egyptian vulture, was an unclean carrion-eating bird listed in Israel’s dietary laws. It is characterized by a bald, wrinkled head and is found in Egypt and Palestine.
Definition
The gier eagle was a species of vulture, identified with the Egyptian vulture. It lived entirely on carrion and had a bald, wrinkled, nearly triangular head, a strong beak, and long feet.
Biblical Usage
The gier eagle was listed among the unclean birds and therefore was forbidden as food under Israel’s dietary law.
Historical Background
It was common in Egypt, where it was called Pharaoh’s chicken, and was found in Palestine during the summer. The Hebrew name may have been connected with affection because the male and female were thought never to part.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Heb. raham = “parental affection,” Lev. 11:18; Deut. 14:17; R.V., “vulture”), a species of vulture living entirely on carrion. “It is about the size of a raven; has an almost triangular, bald, and wrinkled head, a strong pointed beak, black at the tip, large eyes and ears, the latter entirely on the outside, and long feet.” It is common in Egypt, where it is popularly called “Pharaoh’s chicken” (the Neophron percnopterus), and is found in Palestine only during summer. Tristram thinks that the Hebrew name, which is derived from a root meaning “to love,” is given to it from the fact that the male and female bird never part company.