Easton's Bible Dictionary (1.) Hebrews da'ah (Leviticus 11:14). In the parallel passage (Deuteronomy 14:13) the Hebrew word used is ra'ah, rendered "glede;" LXX., "gups;" Vulg., "milvus." A species of ravenous bird, distinguished for its rapid flight. "When used without the epithet `red,' the name is commonly confined to the black kite. The habits of the bird bear out the allusion in Isaiah 34:15, for it is, excepting during the winter three months, so numerous everywhere in Palestine as to be almost gregarious." (see EAGLE.) (2.) In Job 28:7 the Hebrews `ayyah is thus rendered. The word denotes a clamorous and a keen-sighted bird of prey. In Leviticus 11:14 and Deuteronomy 14:13 it is rendered "kite" (q.v.). Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Any one of numerous species of rapacious birds belonging to Vultur, Cathartes, Catharista, and various other genera of the family Vulturidae. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia VULTURE vul'-tur (da'ah; Septuagint gups, and iktinos; Latin Vulturidae): Any member of a family of large birds that subsist wholly or in part on carrion. The largest vulture of Palestine was the Lammer-geier. This bird waited until smaller vultures, eagles and hawks stripped a carcass to the bone, then carried the skeleton aloft and dashed it on the rocks until the marrow could be secured. This was a favorite delicacy. This bird was fond of tortoise also, and is said to have dropped the one that struck the bald head of Aeschylus, which the bird mistook for a stone, so causing the death of the poet. Several smaller species, including "Pharaoh's chickens," flocked all over Palestine. These were protected by a death penalty for their value as scavengers in cities. They fed on carcasses of animals that killed each other, ate putrid fish under the nests of pelican and cormorant, followed caravans across the desert, and were ready for offal thrown from animals dressed for feasting. They flocked over the altars for the entrails from sacrifice, and devoured scraps cast aside by tent-dwellers and residents of cities. They paired with affectionate courting and nested in crevices, in walls, hollow trees and on cliffs. They raised only one pair of young to the season, as the nestlings were over two months old before they took wing. The young were white at first, then black feathers enveloped them. On account of their steady diet of carrion, no one ever has been able to use their flesh for food, although some daring ornithologists have tried. For this reason the vulture was placed among the abominations and should by right have headed the lists (Leviticus 11:18 Deuteronomy 14:13). The other references that used to be translated "vulture" in the King James Version, the Septuagint elaphos, Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) correctly milous) are changed to "falcon" and "kite." Isaiah 34:15 changes "vulture" to "kite." Job 28:7 changes "vulture" to "falcon." Gene Stratton-Porter

Multi-Version Concordance Vulture (16 Occurrences) Leviticus 11:13 "'These you shall detest among the birds; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the vulture, and the black vulture, (WEB JPS NAS RSV NIV) Leviticus 11:14 And the vulture, and the kite after his kind; (KJV YLT) Leviticus 11:18 and the horned owl, and the pelican, and the vulture, (See JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS RSV) Deuteronomy 14:12 But these are they of which you shall not eat: the eagle, and the vulture, and the osprey, (WEB JPS NAS RSV NIV) Deuteronomy 14:13 And the glede, and the kite, and the vulture after his kind, (KJV YLT) Deuteronomy 14:17 and the pelican, and the vulture, and the cormorant, (WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS RSV) Deuteronomy 28:49 Jehovah will bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; (See JPS) Job 9:26 They are passed away as the swift ships; As the eagle that swoopeth on the prey. (See JPS) Job 39:27 Is it at thy command that the eagle mounteth up, And maketh her nest on high? (See JPS) Psalms 102:6 I am like a pelican of the wilderness. I have become as an owl of the waste places. (See RSV) Jeremiah 48:40 For thus saith Jehovah: Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread out his wings against Moab. (See JPS) Jeremiah 49:22 Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread out his wings against Bozrah: and the heart of the mighty men of Edom at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs. (See JPS) Hosea 8:1 Set the trumpet to thy mouth. As an eagle he cometh against the house of Jehovah, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law. (See JPS RSV) Micah 1:16 Shave your heads, and cut off your hair for the children of your delight. Enlarge your baldness like the vulture; for they have gone into captivity from you! (WEB JPS NIV) Habakkuk 1:8 Their horses also are swifter than leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves; and their horsemen press proudly on: yea, their horsemen come from far; they fly as an eagle that hasteth to devour. (See JPS NIV) Zephaniah 2:14 Herds will lie down in the midst of her, all the animals of the nations. Both the pelican and the porcupine will lodge in its capitals. Their calls will echo through the windows. Desolation will be in the thresholds, for he has laid bare the cedar beams. (See RSV)