Dictionary entry

Raven; Ravin

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

rav'-n, rav'-in: "Raven" (verb) is from "rapine," "violent plundering, used for Taraph, inGe 49:27;Ps 22:13;Eze 22:25,27, while "ravin" (noun) is the object ravened, inNa 2:12the torn carcasses (Terephah). So "ravenous bird" (Isa 46:11;Eze 39:4) is a bird of prey (not a "hungry bird"), `ayiT, literally, "a screecher." "Ravenous beast" inIsa 35:9is for parits, "violent one." In the New Testament harpax, "rapacious," is translated "ravening" inMt 7:15, while for the cognate harpage (Lu 11:39), the King James Version gives "ravening," the Revised Version (British and American) "extortion."