RAVEN ( ‘ôrçb , Arab. [Note: Arabic.] ghurâb ). An ‘unclean’ bird ( Leviticus 11:15 , Deuteronomy 14:14 ), numbers of which may always be seen gathered, together with the dogs, around the carrion thrown out into the valley of Hinnom (cf. Proverbs 30:17 ). Its glossy plumage is referred to in Song of Solomon 5:11; it often dwells in the wilderness ( Isaiah 34:11 ), and yet God cares for and watches over it ( Job 38:41 , Psalms 147:8 , Luke 12:24 ). The name ‘ôrçb is doubtless generic, and includes all the eight species of the Corvidæ known in Palestine.

E. W. G. Masterman.