The Life of Jesus in Harmony | Index

rooster

COCK. Most people assume that hens and roosters (cocks) were common in Palestine, but they are rarely mentioned in the Bible. Domestic chickens probably descended from the red jungle fowl of Asia. Cocks were bred for the ancient sport of cockfighting before hens were raised for meat and eggs.

The crowing of cocks served the ancient world as an alarm clock. Cocks crowed about midnight and again about 3 A. M. Soldiers often rotated their guard duty at this regular signal.