עַיִט
𐤏𐤉𐤈
ʻayiṭ
H5861 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A bird of prey, especially one characterized by its swooping, raptorial feeding style; generally refers to hawks or similar large predatory birds. Can denote any bird of prey in broader contexts, not restricted to a specific species, but distinguished from scavenging birds such as vultures in some usages.
Semantic Range
bird of prey, hawk, kite, raptor, predatory bird (in general), any large bird characterized by hunting live prey
Root / Etymology
From the root עיט, which conveys the sense of swooping or pouncing, as in the quick movement of birds of prey. The form עַיִט directly denotes a creature that exhibits this action, i.e., a raptor.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, עַיִט occurs in contexts listing prohibited or unclean birds (e.g., Leviticus 11:14, Deuteronomy 14:13), where it denotes a class of predatory birds, usually understood as hawks, kites, or similar raptors. Ancient Israelite classifications of birds often grouped by observable behavior rather than taxonomic species. English translations usually render עַיִט as 'kite', 'hawk', or 'bird of prey', though the exact species intended is uncertain due to changes in fauna and bird nomenclature over time. The word is distinguished from דַּיָּה (dayyah, vulture) and רָחָם (raḥam, carrion-eater) by its focus on active predation rather than scavenging. In later literature and translation traditions, the precise identity of עַיִט remained debated, but always as a raptorial and non-domesticated bird. Use of this term is confined mainly to legal and dietary prohibitions in the Priestly and Deuteronomic codes, with no known shifts in meaning into later biblical or Second Temple literature.
Translation Consistency
'Hawk' is a natural, commonly understood single-word term that captures the typical sense of עַיִט as a bird of prey/raptor. It fits the usual usage in the Hebrew texts (referring to hunting, swooping predatory birds) better than the overly broad 'bird' or the technical 'raptor,' and keeps translations consistent and readable while distinguishing these birds from scavengers like vultures.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עִיט; a hawk or other bird of prey; bird, fowl, ravenous (bird).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
עיט (ʿ-y-ṭ) — to swoop, pounce, rush upon prey
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5861-02 |
הָ/עַ֖יִט | haayit | HTd/Ncmsa |
the birds of prey | the swooping raptor | the hawk | 4 |
H5861-03 |
לְ/עֵ֣יט | leeyt | HR/Ncmsc |
for birds of prey | to a swooping raptor | to a bird of prey | 2 |
H5861-01 |
עַ֔יִט | ayit | HNcmsa |
bird of prey | swooping raptor | bird of prey | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5861-02 |
Genesis 15:11 | הָ/עַ֖יִט | haayit | HTd/Ncmsa |
birds of prey | the swooping raptor | the hawk |
H5861-03 |
Isaiah 18:6 | לְ/עֵ֣יט | leeyt | HR/Ncmsc |
for birds of prey | to a swooping raptor | to a bird of prey |
H5861-02 |
Isaiah 18:6 | הָ/עַ֔יִט | haayit | HTd/Ncmsa |
the birds of prey | the swooping raptor | the hawk |
H5861-01 |
Isaiah 46:11 | עַ֔יִט | ayit | HNcmsa |
bird of prey | swooping raptor | bird of prey |
H5861-02 |
Jeremiah 12:9 | הַ/עַ֨יִט | haayit | HTd/Ncmsa |
the bird of prey | the swooping raptor | the hawk |
H5861-02 |
Jeremiah 12:9 | הַ/עַ֖יִט | haayit-2 | HTd/Ncmsa |
the birds of prey | the swooping raptor | the hawk |
H5861-03 |
Ezekiel 39:4 | לְ/עֵ֨יט | leeyt | HR/Ncmsc |
for food | to a swooping raptor | to a bird of prey |
H5861-01 |
Job 28:7 | עָ֑יִט | ayit | HNcmsa |
bird of prey | swooping raptor | bird of prey |