Ostrich: bird or beast?

[Mallon]

I saw this question asked flippantly on these boards earlier, and it really threw me for a loop. I thought it might be worth its own thread because I never saw an answer...

According to a literal reading of Genesis 1, are ostriches "birds of the air" or "beasts of the field"?

I suppose the same question applies to all ratites, given that they cannot fly.

 

[Assyrian]

Don't forget

the Gigantoraptor...

 

[philadiddle]

Since they don't fly then they are not a "fowl of the air", as I said on the other thread. But maybe you're looking for a more scientific answer? I think they are a beast of the ground, since that's where they must stay.

But then that raises the question, what about frogs? Are they creatures of the sea or beasts of the land? And what about other amphibians, and crocodiles and hippos etc who live both on land and in water?

 

[HypnoToad]

What possible difference does it make?

 

[pgp_protector]

We had an emu in my parents shower once.
Messy bird.

 

[Mallon]

What possible difference does it make?

Well, if you're a YEC, it should reflect in your baraminology, for one. It should also inform your opinion of evolution and invisible heritability barriers. It might also have relevance to your understanding of scriptural inspiration, if you should be so inclined.

The question remains.

 

[HypnoToad]

It could be land or bird, but what does it have to do with inspiration?

 

[Mallon]

It could be land or bird, but what does it have to do with inspiration?

That's up to you, XianJedi. I'm not here to tell you what to believe.

 

[Assyrian]

Interestingly the Hebrew oph does not just refer to birds but to other winged species like bats and locusts. These beasties as still not oph of the air though.