King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 14:18 Mean?

Deuteronomy 14:18 in the King James Version says “And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.”

Deuteronomy 14:18 · KJV

Context

16

The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,

17

And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant,

18

And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.

19

And every creeping thing that flieth is unclean unto you: they shall not be eaten.

20

But of all clean fowls ye may eat.

Read Deuteronomy 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat—The list concludes with hasidah (חֲסִידָה, stork—literally 'the faithful one'), anafah (אֲנָפָה, heron), dukifath (דּוּכִיפַת, hoopoe), and atallef (עֲטַלֵּף, bat). Ironically, the stork's name means 'faithful' for its devotion to offspring, yet it's unclean—again showing ritual categories transcend moral observation.

The bat, neither bird nor mammal, represents boundary confusion—unacceptable in God's ordered creation. Leviticus 18-20's sexual prohibitions similarly forbid boundary violations. God's cosmos has categories; violating them courted chaos. God is not the author of confusion, but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). Clean/unclean taxonomy trained Israel in divine order.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Storks migrated through Palestine seasonally (Jeremiah 8:7), symbolizing regularity and faithfulness. Yet their carrion-eating habits rendered them ceremonially unfit. Bats inhabited caves and tombs, associated with darkness and death in ancient Near Eastern thought.

Reflection Questions

  1. Where does modern culture celebrate 'boundary confusion' (gender, sexuality, truth) that God's Word calls disordered?
  2. How do you maintain biblical categories in a world that calls such distinctions 'discrimination'?
  3. What 'faithful' practices (like the stork's devotion) might still be spiritually unclean if not rooted in God's holiness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 5 words
וְהַ֣חֲסִידָ֔ה1 of 5

“And the stork”

H2624

the kind (maternal) bird, i.e., a stork

וְהָֽאֲנָפָ֖ה2 of 5

“and the heron”

H601

an unclean bird, perhaps the parrot (from its irascibility)

לְמִינָ֑הּ3 of 5

“after her kind”

H4327

a sort, i.e., species

וְהַדּֽוּכִיפַ֖ת4 of 5

“and the lapwing”

H1744

the hoopoe or else the grouse

וְהָֽעֲטַלֵּֽף׃5 of 5

“and the bat”

H5847

a bat

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 14:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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