Bible Dictionary
Night-hawk
Nighthawk is a traditional rendering of the Hebrew name of an unclean bird. The source identifies it generally with some kind of owl, though the species is uncertain.
Definition
The night-hawk is the traditional rendering of the name of a bird listed among the unclean birds. The exact species is uncertain.
Biblical Usage
The night-hawk appears only in the lists of birds forbidden as food under the Law.
Historical Background
It has been identified with the nightjar or with an owl. The Hebrew term is connected in the supplied material with a root meaning to scratch or tear the face, and the Revised Version uses “night-hawk.”
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Heb. tahmas) occurs only in the list of unclean birds (Lev. 11:16; Deut. 14:15). This was supposed to be the night-jar (Caprimulgus), allied to the swifts. The Hebrew word is derived from a root meaning “to scratch or tear the face,” and may be best rendered, in accordance with the ancient versions, “an owl” (Strix flammea). The Revised Version renders “night-hawk.”