A night bird of prey, unfit for food. Several species are found in Palestine, and are mentioned in the Bible; as in Leviticus 11:17 Deuteronomy 14:16 Isaiah 14:23 34:15 Zephaniah 2:14 . One of the words, however, translated "owl," probably means " Leviticus 11:17 Deuteronomy 14:16 Isaiah 34:11 , the ibis or night heron.