Crows are highly intelligent, loyal, and adaptive bird species. However, it has its dark sides.
So, its symbolism in the Bible is both positive and negative.
Crows are not mentioned in the Bible. However, the Bible gives wide coverage to its cousin, the raven.
In fact, it is said that most verses of the Bible where ravens are mentioned are about crows. However, their striking resemblance and similar characteristics could make it difficult for an observer to spot the difference.
Therefore, most of the Bible verses used for this study will be references to the raven.
Positive biblical meanings of black crow
Divine provision
“The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook.” (1 Kings 17:6)
One of the significant and symbolic stories of God’s provision and care for His elect in the Bible features a crow or raven.
After Elijah proclaimed a drought over Israel that lasted three and a half years.
Of course, when there is drought, famine is bound to follow because, without rain, there is no potable water and crops to make food.
However, God led Elijah to the Brook Cherith, where he drank, and sent a raven to bring bread and meat for him.
This shows the extent to which God can go to provide for those He loves.
In the New Testament, Jesus also referenced the raven or crow to highlight God’s divine providence.
Luke 12:24 says:
“Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?”
This scripture encourages people to trust in God and not worry about simple things like food, which God provides for lesser creatures like birds.
Therefore, seeing a black crow means that God got you covered, especially in meeting your daily needs.
He will ensure you and your loved ones are well-fed as long as you maintain righteousness.
Psalms 37:25 says:
“I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.”
Obedience to God
“And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” (1 Kings 17:4)
Crows or ravens are voracious eaters.
They eat anything man and animals eat.
A bird, like a crow, is always looking for the next thing to eat or store.
Therefore, taking bread and meat to Elijah without having a bite or consuming the entire meal takes great sacrifice and exhibits profound obedience to God.
Therefore, a black crow symbolizes total obedience to God, especially in the face of temptation.
This form of obedience is the most significant and respected by God because it takes great sacrifice and self-denial.
Many believers can brag about overcoming little sins or areas in which they are advantaged. However, if tempted in the areas of their weaknesses, they might fall.
But the determination to obey God comes with grace. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
For every instruction God gives you, He supplies the grace for you to carry out the task.
Tap it.
The Bible also adds that you have the capacity to overcome every temptation that comes your way as long as you depend on God and your flesh (1 Corinthians 10:13).
So when it comes to a point for you to choose between your belly or God’s Word, know God you have all it takes to stand strong for God and overcome.
Adaptability
Crows are very adaptive animals.
They are omnivorous in nature.
On top of that, they eat carrion like vultures.
That means that they are survivors.
They can navigate famine and enjoy seasons of plenty, unlike some birds that are picky eaters.
Therefore, seeing a crow is a sign that you must learn to adapt to seasons as a believer because God has given you the capacity to survive any situation so you will not be stranded.
Just like Elijah survived the three-year drought through supernatural means, God is ready to help those who rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance in times of need and obey His Word.
However, note that being adaptive does not mean you should conform.
To conform to the world means to adapt to the world.
It means dropping your values as a believer and embracing evil standards.
Romans 12:2 says:
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Intelligence
Crows are clever bird species.
They are highly intelligent.
They can use tools like sticks, stones, etc., to get food and other items they need.
Crows are famous for bringing coins or money notes to people in exchange for food items.
Because they have sharp memories, they understand the work and reward system.
They can remember what they did that got them rewarded and the face of their benefactor.
Therefore, they repeat their acts for constant feeding.
They also use sounds to communicate, signal danger, alert to food sources, and coordinate group activities.
They can also mimic sounds from their environment, including human speech and other animal calls.
Therefore, seeing a black crow is a sign to pursue knowledge and sharpen one’s mind.
It shows that one must be willing to become better at what they do.
Humans have the spirit of excellence and a brain capacity greater than any animal.
Our brains are the tools God has given us to rule over all other creatures.
So, it is an anomaly if we fall short in the areas of advancing our lives and environment by not utilizing all the resources at our disposal.
God’s sovereignty
Black crows represent divine messengers.
It seems odd that God will use an unclean and black creature to carry out His divine assignment. But it shows God’s sovereignty over all.
It also proves God’s equal love for everyone, irrespective of who or what we are.
God ignores all the white doves and even His angels in heaven. But He used a black crow to feed Elijah when he needed divine help the most.
This affirms God’s Word in Isaiah 55:8-9 which says:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Therefore, we as believers must learn not to discriminate.
We must learn to love all people because God loves us all equally.
The Bible says God loves the world, and that was why He sent Jesus, His only Son, to die on the cross.
The scriptures further say Jesus loves us so much that He died for us even when we were still sinners.
So, we must be like God by demonstrating love to everyone.
Negative meanings of black crow in the Bible
Disobedience
“So it came to pass, at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made. Then he sent out a raven, which kept going to and fro until the waters had dried up from the earth.” (Genesis 8:6-7)
Although a crow obeyed God by feeding Elijah, another crow exhibited disobedience.
After the flood, Noah sent out a raven or crow. However, it never returned.
Although the Bible did not state why, it is a sign of disobedience compared to the dove that went out and came back to bring a report for the assignment it sent out to carry.
Therefore, a crow symbolizes stubbornness and a lack of respect for authority.
Uncleanliness
“And these you shall regard as an abomination among the birds; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, the vulture, the buzzard, the kite, and the falcon after its kind; every raven after its kind” (Leviticus 11:13-15)
God gave Moses a list of unclean animals that God’s people must avoid, or else they will become unclean.
Crows made the list. Crows feed on clarions or dead things.
Seeing them is a sign that one has toyed with sin and has stained their white raiment.
Therefore, seeing a crow is a call to repentance.
We must obey this call by examining our lives and asking God for forgiveness to avoid His judgment.
Satan
The crow is also often compared to Satan or the devil, first because of its black color and secondly because of how Genesis 8:6-7 said the crow was going to and fro the earth when Noah released it.
According to Job 1:7 & Job 2:2, Satan was moving to and fro the world.
This is because he is jobless and looking for whom to attack (1 Peter 5:8).
Therefore, when you see black crows, beware of the activities of the devil and pray against them.
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David Akeju is a Christian writer who believes in the transformational power of God’s Word. His articles and books have been published on global platforms, and thousands of lives have been touched. He works with pastors and ministers, churches and ministries, and brands.