GOOSE

4 sources

Jewish Encyclopedia by Isidore Singer (ed.) (1906)

( goose , pl. goose , pl. goose ):

By: Solomon Schechter, M. Seligsohn

According to the Talmudists the domestic and the wild goose are two different species which should not be crossed (B. Ḳ. 55a; Bek. 8a). They are distinguished by the following criteria: The domestic goose has a longer beak than the wild species; its genital organs are more retired under the skin, and it has several eggs in its ovary at the same time, while the wild goose has only one, another being formed after the first has been laid (ib.). In the Shulḥan 'Aruk, Yoreh De'ah, 297, 7, only the second criterion is mentioned. In Yer. B. Ḳ. v. 10 and Kil. viii. 6 a sea-goose is spoken of, which, because it belongs to a different species, ought not to be crossed with a domestic goose. The goose, being a water-fowl, has a very thin brain-membrane (Ḥul. 56b). It is permitted to hold a goose by its wings on the Sabbath while it is moving, but it is not permitted to do so with a hen; because the former when held by the wings moves of its own accord, while the latter has to be dragged; and on Sabbath the moving of things from one place to another in an open space is not allowed (Shab. 128b, Rashi). The foot of a goose is as wide as long (Bek. 45a). Generally a goose returns to its abiding-place at night (Beẓah 24a), but occasionally it settles in a garden (Ḥul. 38b). Geese were known for their honking; compare the saying "You gabble like geese" (Yer. B. B. viii. 7). The Talmudists, referring to Prov. i. 20, declared that one who sees a goose in his dream may hope for wisdom (Ber. 57a). R. Gidal called women "white geese" (Ber. 20a), a term applied by Raba to old and selfish judges (Giṭ 13a).

Besides the flesh and feathers, which are widely used also in modern Jewish households, the fat and lungs of the goose were used, the latter two for medicinal purposes (Ḥul. 49a; Yoma 84a). Geese were also used in thrashing (Sanh. 29b). Rabba bar bar Ḥana in one of his stories similar to the "Lügenmärchen" of modern folk-lore says that he once saw in the desert geese whose feathers were falling out of their bodies on account of their fat, while rivers of oil issued from them. They will be preserved for the great meal to be given to the righteous in the Messianic times (B. B. 73b).

Bibliography:

Lewysohn, Die Zoologie des Talmuds, pp. 190-192.

Plants and Animals of the Bible by David Cox (1970) ↑

See Fowl

Aquifer Open Bible Dictionary by Mission Mutual, adapted from the Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary (2023)

A goose is a long-necked, web-footed water bird with waterproof feathers. Geese belong to several scientific genera, with Anser being one common type (true geese).

Geese were used for food and sacrifice in biblical times. They were domesticated in Egypt as early as 2500 BC during the Old Kingdom period and definitely by the time of the New Kingdom (around 1500–1100 BC).

Ancient Greeks knew about domestic geese, as they are mentioned in the Odyssey (a famous ancient Greek story written by Homer, who was a poet from around the 8th century BC). In Canaan, the breeding of geese was common. Archaeologists have found ivory carvings of geese from the 13th or 12th century BC during excavations at Megiddo in Israel.

Many types of geese spend most of their lives on land even though they are water birds. Some even build their nests in trees. Wild geese prefer to live in flatlands and prairies rather than in mountainous areas. This means they like to live in places that are flat and open instead of areas with mountains or hills.

The Bible suggests that geese may have been eaten at King Solomon’s table. In 1 Kings 4:23, "fattened poultry" might refer to geese. This term could also mean other domestic birds that people commonly eat, such as ducks, swans, guinea fowl, or pigeons.

See also Birds.

Animals in the Bible (UBS) by United Bible Societies

Reference:"

Hebrew בַּרְבּוּר (barbur)

1KI 5:3

Discussion:

While the major English versions interpret the word barbur as meaning “fowl", that is, “domestic chickens", many commentaries suggest that the word means “goose". In Europe, the Middle East, and Egypt the graylag goose was domesticated centuries before the domesticated chicken was introduced from India, and this has led these commentators to suggest that the bird prepared for Solomon’s table was the goose.

An Egyptian illustration from around 2500 B.C. shows geese being force-fed with grain, a process that fattened the goose quickly and caused it to develop an oversized liver, which was a delicacy. This may have been the method used for fattening Solomon’s geese too.

However, the fact that in Arabic birbir is the name for the domestic chicken has led a few commentators to suggest that the Hebrew barbur is the domestic fowl. Against this is the fact that barbur is derived from a root that means “pure white,” and white strains of domestic fowl were not developed until fairly recently. All ancient chickens were reddish brown.

The JB rendering “cuckoos” can be discounted, as it derives from the fact that a type of cuckoo was considered a delicacy in ancient Rome centuries after the time of Solomon. The other food items on the list of provisions for Solomon are ordinary food items rather than exotic delicacies, and there is no reason to suppose that the barburim were any different.

One or two commentaries have suggested that barbur was the name for the swan, as is the case in modern Hebrew. However, swans were very rare visitors to Israel, and there is no evidence to suggest that they were domesticated or even well-known in biblical times.

Description:

Geese belong to the same bird family as ducks and swans, which all have webbed feet for swimming. Geese are larger than ducks and smaller than swans and spend more time out of the water than either of the others. While ducks and swans eat mainly underwater vegetation, geese graze on the shores.

The Graylag Goose Anser anser is a large gray goose with soft white down on its belly. This down has been collected since ancient times to stuff pillows and mat-tresses. Its beak is not as long nor as flat as a duck’s. It is very vigilant, and when suspecting danger or seeing strangers approaching, it first lifts its beak skywards; then if the danger is confirmed, it begins to utter a series of loud honks. This made the goose a sought-after watchdog to warn householders about the approach of robbers at night. Geese saved Rome by warning the citizens that their enemies, the Gauls, were approaching one night in 390 B.C.

Besides the graylag goose, the Israelites would also have been very familiar with the Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegypticus, which is light brown with a dark brown back and wings, with a brown patch on its chest, and a brown circle around each of its eyes. They would also have been familiar with the White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons, which is similar to the graylag goose. However, neither of these latter two types of goose is particularly good to eat.

Translation:

A word for goose or large duck is appropriate where such birds are known. In sub-Saharan Africa the specific word for the large Spurwing Goose Plectropterus gambensis is the closest equivalent. In North America the Canada goose and in New Guinea and Australia the Pied Goose Anseranas semipalmata would be the local equivalents. Otherwise, a more general expression for big fattened birds can be used. In some languages a phrase literally meaning “meat-birds” has been possible

Because of the doubt concerning the precise meaning of this word, a general inclusive word like “poultry", or even “fowl” or “chickens", is perfectly admissible.