Bible Dictionary
Fowl
“Fowl” is an older biblical term for birds of various kinds, including birds used as food and birds of prey. Birds appear in laws concerning clean and unclean animals and in Jesus’ illustrations of God’s providential care.
Biblical Usage
The law distinguished clean and unclean birds. Birds appear as examples of God’s providential care, as illustrations of seed being removed or the kingdom providing shelter, and as symbols of destruction. Jesus also used a hen’s protective care to express His desire to shelter Jerusalem.
Scripture References