The first mention of this bird occurs in Lev. xi. 16, and the parallel passage of Deut. xiv., in which the Ostrich is reckoned among the unclean birds, without any notice being given of its appearance or habits.
In the Book of Job, however, we have the Ostrich mentioned with that preciseness and fulness of description which is so often the case when the writer of that wonderful poem treats of living creatures.
"Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?
"Who leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in the dust,
"And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.
"She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear;
"Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath He imparted to her understanding.
"What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider." (Job xxxix. 13-19.)
There is rather a peculiarity in the translation of this passage, wherein the word which has been translated as "peacock" is now allowed to be properly rendered as "Ostrich," while the word which is translated as "Ostrich" ought to have been given as "feathers." The marginal translation gives the last words of ver. 13 in a rather different manner, and renders it thus:— "Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks, or the feathers of the stork and ostrich?" The Hebrew Bible renders the next verses as follows:—
"She would yet leave her eggs on the earth, and warm them in dust; and forget that the foot may crush them, or that the beast of the field may break them.