A Quick Look at Birds in the Bible Quiz

Answer: Raven

According to Scripture, Noah sent out a raven, as well as a dove, to determine if there was dry land after the earth was engulfed in a massive flood. Details can be found in Genesis 8:6-12. According to the passage, Noah released the raven and the dove from the ark he had taken refuge in. The raven kept going back and forth continuously while the dove returned to the ark. Seven days later he released the dove once again and this time it returned to the ark with an olive leaf in its mouth, proof there was dry land.

Going by the NKJV, ravens are mentioned nine different times in Scripture. There are eight mentions in the Old Testament and one in the New Testament.

Answer: Quail

According to Exodus 16:13, God provided quail, in addition to manna, to feed the Israelites as they made an exodus out of Egypt and into Canaan, known as The Promised Land.

According to notes in the NKJV Study Bible, quail is a migrating bird found in large numbers along the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. While the birds have strong flying muscles for short periods of time, they often stretch their wings to glide with a tailwind. However, it has been known for the birds to reach land completely exhausted and end up being caught by hand, the notes state.

Answer: Pelican

The unnamed writer of Psalm 102 describes himself as a pelican in the wilderness as well as an owl of the desert and a sparrow alone on the housetop. (The NIV refers to a desert owl, but there is no mention of a pelican or a sparrow.)

It is believed by many theologians the psalmist compared himself to a pelican, an owl and a sparrow as the birds live in distant, lonely places. In Psalm 102, the psalmist tells of being isolated and alone.

Using the NKJV, the pelican is mentioned three different times in Scripture. (There is no mention of a pelican in the entire NIV.)

Answer: Stork

The unnamed writer of Psalm 104 states the stork has her house in the fir trees. The verse is part of a passage in which the psalmist praises God for the wonders of wildlife and nature in general.

Using the NKJV, the stork is mentioned six different times. The bird is found five times in the KJV and six times in the NIV.

Answer: Ostrich

Micah said he would mourn like an ostrich, as per Micah 1:8 in the NKJV. (The KJV and the NIV refer to the owl, rather than the ostrich.)

Micah is part of the Minor Prophet section of the Old Testament and consists of seven chapters. It appears after Jonah and is followed by Nahum.

Answer: Peacock

According to 1 Kings 10:22 in the KJV, the navy of Tarshish gave King Solomon a number of gifts, including peacocks, every three years. Peacocks are mentioned on three different occasions in the KJV but there is no mention of the bird in the NKJV or the NIV.

Scholars are divided about the location of Tarshish. However, it is commonly agreed it was likely on the Mediterranean Sea.

Answer: Hawk

The correct answer is the hawk. The question of Job was asked by God as part of a discourse in Chapters 38 and 39. According to Job 38:1, God addressed Job out of a whirlwind after Job had been discussing his sufferings with his friends. In the discourse, God revealed His omnipotence to Job and reminded him that everything he sees was created by Him. In Job 39:26, God asked Job, "Does the hawk fly by your wisdom, and spread its wings toward the south?"

Job, according to Scripture, was an immensely wealthy man until a series of calamities beset him. According to Scripture, he lost his seven sons and three daughters along with his immense wealth, and was left in fragile health. However, Job refused to point an accusing finger at God, and Scripture tells of his latter years being filled with a long list of blessings.

Answer: Two turtledoves

Two turtledoves, or two pigeons, is the correct answer. Details can be found in Luke 2:23-24.

Notes in the NKJV Study Bible state the offering by Joseph and Mary suggests they came from humble backgrounds and did not have and could not afford an animal for sacrificial purposes.

After the offering, Scripture tells of Simeon seeing the Baby and proclaiming Jesus would be a light bringing "revelation to the Gentiles".

Answer: One sparrow

In Matthew 10:29, Jesus states not one sparrow will fall to the ground without the Father's knowledge. In the verse, Jesus is quoted in the NKJV as saying, "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will."

As a result, Jesus told His listeners they should fear God and not to "fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul".

Answer: Mother hen

According to Scripture, Jesus likened Himself to a mother hen in regards to Jerusalem. Details can be found in Matthew 23:37. Jesus makes a similar pronouncement in Luke 13:34-36.

Using the NKJV, these are the only two occasions when a hen is mentioned in Scripture.