Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "claw" is not frequently mentioned, but it appears in discussions related to dietary laws and descriptions of animals. The concept of claws is primarily associated with the characteristics of certain animals, particularly in the context of distinguishing between clean and unclean animals according to Mosaic Law.
Biblical References:1.
Leviticus 11:3-7 : The dietary laws given to the Israelites in Leviticus provide specific guidelines on which animals are considered clean and unclean. While the term "claw" itself is not explicitly used in this passage, the characteristics of animals, such as having a divided hoof and chewing the cud, are criteria for determining cleanliness. Animals with claws, such as certain birds of prey and carnivorous mammals, are typically classified as unclean. The passage states: "You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud. But of those that only chew the cud or only have a split hoof, you must not eat them."
2.
Deuteronomy 14:6-8 : Similar to Leviticus, Deuteronomy reiterates the dietary laws concerning clean and unclean animals. The emphasis is on the physical characteristics of animals, which indirectly includes the presence of claws in certain unclean animals. The text reinforces the distinction between animals that are permissible to eat and those that are not, based on their physical traits.
Symbolic and Theological Implications:In the biblical context, claws can symbolize predatory and unclean characteristics. Animals with claws, such as birds of prey, are often associated with violence and death, which contrasts with the peaceful and pure nature of clean animals. This distinction serves as a metaphor for the separation between holiness and impurity, a recurring theme in the Old Testament.
The laws concerning clean and unclean animals are part of the broader Levitical code, which emphasizes the holiness of God's people. By adhering to these dietary restrictions, the Israelites were reminded of their unique identity and calling to be set apart from other nations. The presence of claws in certain animals serves as a physical marker of their unclean status, reinforcing the need for discernment and obedience to God's commandments.
Cultural and Historical Context:In ancient Near Eastern cultures, animals with claws, such as lions and eagles, were often revered for their strength and hunting prowess. However, in the Israelite context, these same attributes could render an animal unclean, highlighting the countercultural nature of the biblical laws. The distinction between clean and unclean animals was not merely about health or hygiene but was deeply rooted in theological principles that underscored the Israelites' covenant relationship with God.
Conclusion:While the term "claw" is not extensively discussed in the Bible, its implications are significant within the framework of biblical dietary laws and the broader theme of holiness. The presence of claws in certain animals serves as a reminder of the importance of distinguishing between the clean and the unclean, reflecting the Israelites' commitment to living in accordance with God's will.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A sharp, hooked nail, as of a beast or bird.
2. (n.) The whole foot of an animal armed with hooked nails; the pinchers of a lobster, crab, etc.
3. (n.) Anything resembling the claw of an animal, as the curved and forked end of a hammer for drawing nails.
4. (n.) A slender appendage or process, formed like a claw, as the base of petals of the pink.
5. (n.) To pull, tear, or scratch with, or as with, claws or nails.
6. (n.) To relieve from some uneasy sensation, as by scratching; to tickle; hence, to flatter; to court.
7. (n.) To rail at; to scold.
8. (v. i.) To scrape, scratch, or dig with a claw, or with the hand as a claw.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CLAWklo (parcah, literally, "hoof"): One of the marks of a "clean" animal is stated thus: "Every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, ye shall eat" (Deuteronomy 14:6 the King James Version; the Revised Version (British and American) "hath the hoof cloven in two"). See CHEW; CUD. the King James Version uses the word "claws" where the Revised Version (British and American) supplies "hoofs" in Zechariah 11:16, "and will tear their hoofs in pieces," as the sheep are being overdriven. In the only other passage containing the word (Daniel 4:33) there is no Hebrew equivalent in the original-"his nails like birds' (claws)."
Strong's Hebrew
2953. tephar -- a nail, claw... 2952, 2953. tephar. 2954 . a nail,
claw. Transliteration: tephar Phonetic
Spelling: (tef-ar') Short Definition: claws. Word Origin
... 6538. peres -- (a bird of prey) perhaps bearded vulture
... claw, ossifrage. From parac; a claw; also a kind of eagle -- claw, ossifrage. see
HEBREW parac. 6537b, 6538. peres. 6539 . Strong's Numbers.
6541. parsah -- a hoof
... claw, cloven-footed, hoof. Feminine of perec; a claw or split hoof -- claw,
(cloven-)footed, hoof. see HEBREW perec. 6540, 6541. parsah. 6542 . ...
6856. tsipporen -- fingernail, stylus point
... From tsaphar (in the denominative sense (from tsippowr) of scratching); properly,
a claw, ie (human) nail; also the point of a style (or pen, tipped with ...
Library
The Eagle and Its Brood
... What he brings into view are the characteristics common to the eagle and the vulture;
superb strength in beak and claw, keenness of vision almost incredible ...
The Struggle for Life
... They are the children of Struggle. Beak and limb, claw and wing, shape, strength,
all down to the last detail, are the expressions of their mode of life. ...
Conformity to Type
... And love Creation's final law". Tho' Nature, red in tooth and claw. With ravine,
shriek'd against his creed". Who loved, who suffer'd countless ills,. ...
The Roman Power.
... It did not fly onward without touching the earth, like the great eastern conquerors;
but let it set one claw on a nation, and the doom of that nation was fixed ...
Privilege and Obligation
... grim saying is, that. 'Nature, red in tooth and claw, With rapine, shrieks
against the creed'. that God is love. And think of what ...
Of Theodorus the Confessor.
... while walking in the Forum, hung him up before the world on the stocks, lacerated
his back with scourges, and scored his sides with claw-like instruments of ...
Letter ccxciii. To Julianus.
... racing out at sea. A single claw reveals the whole lion: so from a slight
acquaintance I think I know you fully. And I count it ...
Christ Foreseeing his Passion
... and believing it to be consolidated and consecrated in a person, dare to profess
that there is not a thing in us on which he can lay his black claw and say ...
Letter ix. To Maximus the Philosopher.
... 54) the proverb is traced to a story of Pheidias, who, "after a look at a claw,
could tell how big the whole lion, formed in proportion would be." A parallel ...
Three Afternoons Off the Track
... She did not speak; she just listened and gazed, "drinking it all in." And then she
raised a skeleton claw, and grabbed her hair, and pointed to mine. ...
Thesaurus
Claw... 3. (n.) Anything resembling the
claw of an animal, as the curved and forked
end of a hammer for drawing nails. 4. (n.) A slender
...Onycha (1 Occurrence)
... A nail; claw; hoof, (Hebrews sheheleth; Exodus 30:34), a Latin word applied to the
operculum, ie, the claw or nail of the strombus or wing-shell, a univalve ...
Claws (5 Occurrences)
Clave (16 Occurrences)
Nightmonster
... 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 ...
Nail (9 Occurrences)
... is used of the hard point of a stylus or engraving tool: "The sin of Judah is written
with a pen of iron, and with the point (literally, "claw," "nail") of a ...
Night-monster
... 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 ...
Ostrich (9 Occurrences)
... The foot was much like the cloven hoof of a beast. The inner toe was 7 inches
long, with a clawlike hoof, the outer, smaller with no claw. ...
Onyx (16 Occurrences)
... A hail; claw; hoof, (Hebrews shoham), a precious stone adorning the breast-plate
of the high priest and the shoulders of the ephod (Exodus 28:9-12, 20; 35:27 ...
Dog (19 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) A grappling iron, with a claw or claws, for fastening into wood or other
heavy articles, for the purpose of raising or moving them. ...
Resources
The missing link'has it been found? | GotQuestions.orgWho/what is Krampus and what does it have to do with Christmas? | GotQuestions.orgClaw: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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