Bible Dictionaries
Bittern

Holman Bible Dictionary

KJV translation for an animal of desolation mentioned three times in the Bible (Isaiah 14:23; Isaiah 34:11; Zephaniah 2:14 ). The name “bittern” is applied to any number of small or medium sized herons (Botaurus and related genera) with a characteristic booming cry. Bittern and heron are marsh and water birds and do not seem to be the animal referred to by the biblical writers. A number of alternatives have been suggested: bustard (REB), (screech) owl (NIV, TEV), porcupine, hedgehog (NAS, NRSV), and lizard. Of these suggestions, hedgehog and porcupine have the widest support. The animal represents the wild and mysterious world humans do not control. See Animals .