הַ/תַּחְמָ֖ס
𐤄/𐤕𐤇𐤌𐤎
tachmâç
the nightjar
A species of unclean bird delineated among prohibited animals in Israelite dietary law, likely denoting a specific nocturnal bird of prey. The precise identification is uncertain but has been variously proposed as a type of owl (such as the long-eared owl), the night hawk, or a kind of nightjar. The term appears in ritual and legal texts outlining purity and impurity.
Leviticus 11:16 · Word #5
Lexicon H8464
| Lemma | תַּחְמָס |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤕𐤇𐤌𐤎 |
| Transliteration | tachmâç |
| Strong's | H8464 |
| Definition | A species of unclean bird delineated among prohibited animals in Israelite dietary law, likely denoting a specific nocturnal bird of prey. The precise identification is uncertain but has been variously proposed as a type of owl (such as the long-eared owl), the night hawk, or a kind of nightjar. The term appears in ritual and legal texts outlining purity and impurity. |
Morphology HTd/Ncmsa
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea |
| Subtype | c — Common — Common noun |
| Gender | m — Masculine — Masculine |
| Number | s — Singular — Singular |
| State | a — Absolute — The noun stands independently |
Common Translation
| Phrase | the nightjar |
SIBI-P1 Translation H8464-01
the violent night-bird
| Morphological Notes | Noun, masculine singular absolute with definite article (הַתַּחְמָס). |
| Rendering Rationale | The rendering reflects the root חמס (“to act violently, be fierce”) by describing the creature as "violent," while "night-bird" captures its identification as a predatory nocturnal bird. The definite article and singular masculine form are preserved in "the." |
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