King James Bible Dictionary

Heb. orebh, from a root meaning "to be black" (comp. Song of Solomon 5:11); first mentioned as "sent forth" by Noah from the ark (Genesis 8:7). "Every raven after his kind" was forbidden as food (Leviticus 11:15; Deuteronomy 14:14). Ravens feed mostly on carrion, and hence their food is procured with difficulty (Job 38:41; Psalms 147:9). When they attack kids or lambs or weak animals, it is said that they first pick out the eyes of their victims (Proverbs 30:17). When Elijah was concealed by the brook Cherith, God commanded the ravens to bring him "bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening" (1 Kings 17:3-6). (See ELIJAH.)

There are eight species of ravens in Palestine, and they are everywhere very numerous in that land.

A black carnivorous bird
Proverbs 30:17; Song of Solomon 5:11

Forbidden as food
Leviticus 11:15; Deuteronomy 14:14

Preserved by Noah in the ark
Genesis 8:7

Fed Elijah
1 Kings 17:4-6

Cared for by divine providence
Luke 12:24

(black). The Hebrew oreb is applied to the several species of the crow family, a number of which are found in Palestine. The raven belongs to the order Insessores , family Corvid' . (It resembles the crow, but is larger weighing three pounds; its black color is more iridescent, and it is gifted with greater sagacity. "There is something weird and shrewd in the expression of the raven's countenance, a union of cunning and malignity which may have contributed to give it among widely-revered nations a reputation for preternatural knowledge." One writer says that the smell of death is so grateful to them that when in passing over sheep a tainted smell is perceptible, they cry and croak vehemently. It may be that in passing over a human habitation, if a sickly or cadaverous smell arises, they should make it known by their cries, and so has arisen the idea that the croaking of a raven is the premonition of death.

ED.) A raven was sent out by Noah from the ark. (Genesis 8:7) This bird was not allowed as food by the Mosaic law. (Leviticus 11:15) Elijah was cared for by ravens. (1 Kings 17:4,6) They are expressly mentioned as instances of God's protecting love and goodness. (Job 38:41; Luke 12:24) The raven's carnivorous habits, and especially his readiness to attack the eye, are alluded to in (Proverbs 30:17) To the fact of the raven being a common bird in Palestine, and to its habit of flying restlessly about in constant search for food to satisfy its voracious appetite, may perhaps be traced the reason for its being selected by our Lord and the inspired writers as the especial object of God's providing care.

RAVEN, noun ra'ven. [Heb. from its color. But this may be Latin corvus, rapio.]

A large fowl of a black color, of the genus Corvus.

RAVEN, verb transitive rav'n.

1. To devour with great eagerness; to eat with voracity.

Our natures do pursue, like rats that raven down their proper bane, a thirsty evil, and when we drink, we die.

Like a roaring lion, ravening the prey. Ezekiel 22:25.

2. To obtain by violence.

RAVEN, verb intransitive rav'n. To prey with rapacity.

Benjamin shall raven as a wolf. Genesis 49:1.

RAVEN, noun rav'n.

1. Prey; plunder; food obtained by violence. Nahum 2:12.

2. Rapine; rapacity.

RAV'ENED, participle passive Devoured with voracity.

RAV'ENER, noun One that ravens or plunders.

RAV'ENING, participle present tense Preying with rapacity; voraciously devouring; as a ravening wolf.

RAV'ENING, noun Eagerness for plunder. Luke 11:39.

RAV'ENOUS, adjective

1. Furiously voracious; hungry even to rage; devouring with rapacious eagerness; as a ravenous wolf, lion or vulture.

2. Eager for prey or gratification; as ravenous appetite or desire.

RAV'ENOUSLY, adverb With raging voracity.

RAV'ENOUSNESS, noun Extreme voracity; rage for prey; as the ravenousness of a lion.

RAVEN'S DUCK, noun A species of sail cloth.