אֲנָפָה
𐤀𐤍𐤐𐤄
ʼănâphâh
H601 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A type of large wading bird mentioned among unclean birds in biblical dietary lists, traditionally identified as the 'heron.' The term refers specifically to a bird species considered unsuitable for consumption under Israelite purity laws, without further descriptive detail in the biblical text. The precise ornithological identity is uncertain.
Semantic Range
heron; large wading bird (possibly egret, crane, or similar species); unclean bird of prey or waterfowl; a generic term for non-domestic, long-beaked birds considered impure for consumption
Root / Etymology
From the root אָנַף (ʾ-n-p), which carries the core meaning 'to be angry, to snort in anger.' The noun אֲנָפָה is a feminine derivative, likely named for a perceived characteristic, such as temperament or a prominent feature (e.g., long beak). The exact connection between the root and the bird's name is uncertain, and the species identification is debated.
Historical & Contextual Notes
אֲנָפָה appears only in Leviticus 11:19 and Deuteronomy 14:18, both lists of birds considered unclean for the Israelite diet. Ancient translations (LXX: χαραδριός, Vulgate: ardea) generally equated it to the heron, although some rabbinic sources and modern scholars suggest identifications with other large wading birds (e.g., egret, crane), or even birds noted for a fierce appearance or aggressive behavior (influenced by the root's sense of anger). The equivalence of 'heron' became standard in English Bibles, but exact species distinctions made by biblical compilers often do not correspond fully with modern ornithological categories. In biblical contexts, the inclusion of אֲנָפָה among unclean birds underscores dietary laws shaping Israelite distinctiveness, rather than providing zoological cataloging. Later Jewish tradition grouped similar waterfowl under this name, and the term's meaning did not shift significantly over time, though its translation as 'heron' is a convention driven by ancient versions and not inherent in the Hebrew itself.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אָנַף; an unclean bird, perhaps the parrot (from its irascibility); heron.
Bantu Hebrew
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אנף (ʾ-n-p) — to be angry, to snort, to show indignation
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H599 | אָנַף | you became enraged |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H601-01 |
הָ/אֲנָפָ֖ה | haanafah | HTd/Ncfsa |
heron | snorting wading-bird | 1 |
H601-02 |
וְ/הָ/אֲנָפָ֖ה | vehaanafah | HC/Td/Ncfsa |
and the heron | and the heron | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H601-01 |
Leviticus 11:19 | הָ/אֲנָפָ֖ה | haanafah | HTd/Ncfsa |
heron | snorting wading-bird |
H601-02 |
Deuteronomy 14:18 | וְ/הָ/אֲנָפָ֖ה | vehaanafah | HC/Td/Ncfsa |
and the heron | and the heron |