Meaning of VULTURE

In the Reina-Valera version the word "vulture" appears as a translation of the Hebrew terms "ayyah" (Jb. 28:7); "dayyah", a bird that dwells in ruins (Is. 34:15); They are classified among unclean birds.

The word "nesher", translated as eagle, seems to be the bird known as the Great Vulture, the "Gyps fulvus", although it could include other species.

Their habits agree with those of the bird called "eagle" in the Reina-Valera versions, and they are abundant in Palestine.

As soon as an animal falls dead, large numbers of these birds congregate around its carcass, according to Jb. 9:26 (cp. Mt. 24:28).

The true eagle is a solitary bird, but vultures are rarely found alone. The expression “take on the wing” describes exactly the way in which vultures lift up their little ones, and teach them to fly (Ex. 19:4; Deut. 32:11).

The vulture also agrees with baldness (Mi. 1:16), because the head and neck of the vulture lack feathers. Its speed is proverbial (Lam. 4:19), and it perches on high rocks, from which it observes the horizon and watches for prey (Jb. 39:27; Jer. 49:16).