Night-Hawk

תהמס , Lev 11:16; Deu 14:15. That this is a voracious bird seems clear from the import of its name; and interpreters are generally agreed to describe it as flying by night. On the whole, it should seem to be the strix orientalis, which Hasselquist thus describes: It is of the size of the common owl, and lodges in the large buildings or ruins of Egypt and Syria, and sometimes even in the dwelling houses. The Arabs settled in Egypt call it “massasa,” and the Syrians “banu.” It is extremely voracious in Syria; to such a degree, that if care is not taken to shut the windows at the coming on of night, he enters the houses and kills the children: the women, therefore, are very much afraid of him.

Night-Hawk (Lev 11:16; Deu 14:15) is mentioned as one of the unclean birds in the Pentateuch, but so little characterized that no decided opinion can be expressed as to what species is really intended. Commentators incline to the belief that the name imports voracity, and therefore indicates a species of owl, which, however, we take to be not this bird, but the lilith; and as the night-hawk of Europe, or a species very nearly allied to it, is an inhabitant of Syria, there is no reason for absolutely rejecting it in this place, since it belongs to a genus highly connected with superstitions in all countries; and though a voracious bird among moths, and other insects that are abroad during darkness, it is absolutely harmless to all other animals, and as wrongfully accused of sucking the udders of goats, as of being an indicator of misfortune and death to those who happen to see it fly past them after evening twilight; yet, beside the name of ’goat sucker,’ it is denominated ’night-hawk’ and ’night-raven,’ as if it were a bulky species, with similar powers of mischief as those day birds possess. The night-hawk is a migratory bird, inferior in size to a thrush, and has very weak talons and bill; but the gape or mouth is wide; it makes now and then a plaintive cry, and preys on the wing; it flies with the velocity and action of a swallow, the two genera being nearly allied. Like those of most night birds the eyes are large and remarkable, and the plumage a mixture of colors and dots, with a prevailing gray effect; it is finely webbed, and entirely noiseless in its passage through the air. Thus the bright eyes, wide mouth, sudden and inaudible flight in the dusk, are the original causes of the superstitious fear these birds have excited; and as there are in southern climates other species of this genus, much larger in size, with peculiarly contrasted colors, strangely disposed feathers on the head, or paddle-shaped single plumes, one at each shoulder, projecting in the form of two additional wings, and with plaintive loud voices often uttered in the night, all the species contribute to the general awe they have inspired in every country and in all ages.

An unclean bird, Lev 11:16 Deu 14:15 . Its name seems to indicate voracity, and is therefore thought by many to point out the Syrian owl, a more powerful bird than the nighthawks, and exceedingly voracious; it sometimes attacks sleeping children.\par

Night-hawk. The Hebrew word so translated, Lev 11:10; Lev 14:15, probably, denotes some kind of owl.

Lev 11:16; Deu 14:15. Tachmas, "the violent one." Rather "the owl." Bochart and Gesenius take it "the male ostrich" and bath hayanah (KJV "owl") "the female ostrich." But the Septuagint and the Vulgate translated it "owl." The Arabic chamash is "to tear a face with claws." The "oriental owl" (Hasselquist), "the nightjar," appearing only in twilight, and passing and repassing round a tree to catch large insects; hence regarded with superstitious awe. The white barn owl (Strix flammea) may be the one meant, since it has gleaming blue eyes, corresponding to the Septuagint Greek glaux, whereas others have yellow or orange-colored eyes.

See HAWK.

NIGHT-HAWK (tachmâs).—An unclean bird (Lev 11:16, Deu 14:16). What the tackmâs really was is merely a matter of speculation. A species of owl, the ostrich, and even the cuckoo, have all been suggested, but without any convincing reasons. ‘Night-hawk’ is merely another name for the familiar night-jar or goat-sucker (Caprimulgus), of which three species are known in Palestine.

E. W. G. Masterman.

nı̄t´hôk (תּחמס, taḥmāṣ, “tachmas”; γλαύξ, glaúx, but sometimes strouthós, and seirḗnos; Latin camprimulgus): The Hebrew taḥmāṣ means “to tear and scratch the face,” so that it is very difficult to select the bird intended by its use. Any member of the eagle, vulture, owl or hawk families driven to desperation would “tear and scratch” with the claws and bite in self-defence. The bird is mentioned only in the lists of abominations (see Lev 11:16; Deu 14:15). There are three good reasons why the night-hawk or night-jar, more properly, was intended. The lists were sweeping and included almost every common bird unfit for food. Because of its peculiar characteristics it had been made the object of fable and superstition. It fed on wing at night and constantly uttered weird cries. Lastly, it was a fierce fighter when disturbed in brooding or raising its young. Its habit was to lie on its back and fight with beak and claw with such ferocity that it seemed very possible that it would “tear and scratch the face.” Some commentators insist that the bird intended was an owl, but for the above reasons the night-jar seems most probable; also several members of the owl family were clearly indicated in the list. See HAWK.

The night hawk, also called the goatsucker, is a migratory bird that hunts insects at night. It is dark in color and has short legs. It is similar to the American whippoorwill.

Night hawks belong to the genus Caprimulgus. They look like owls, with flat heads, large eyes, and soft feathers. They fly quietly. During the day, they rest on branches. At night, they catch insects while flying.

The name “goatsucker” comes from an ancient belief that these birds drank milk from goats, which is not true.

The Bible lists the night hawk as an unclean bird in the law of Moses (Leviticus 11:16; Deuteronomy 14:15). Some scholars think the text refers to an owl. The Berean Standard Bible the word is translated "screech owl." But many accept the translation “night hawk.”

See also Birds.

Aquifer Open Bible Dictionary © 2026 Mission Mutual, an adaptation of the Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.