Jump to: Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In the Bible, birds are frequently mentioned and hold significant symbolic and practical roles within the scriptural narrative. They are part of God's creation, reflecting His care and provision, and are often used metaphorically to convey spiritual truths.Creation and Classification Birds were created by God on the fifth day of creation, as recorded in Genesis 1:20-23. The passage highlights the diversity and abundance of avian life: "And God said, 'Let the waters teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.'" This divine act underscores the beauty and complexity of birds as part of the created order. The Mosaic Law provides specific classifications of birds, particularly distinguishing between clean and unclean species. Leviticus 11:13-19 and Deuteronomy 14:11-20 list various birds that the Israelites were forbidden to eat, such as eagles, vultures, and ravens, emphasizing the importance of ritual purity and obedience to God's commands. Symbolism and Metaphors Birds are often used symbolically in the Bible to convey spiritual truths and divine attributes. For instance, the eagle is a symbol of strength and renewal. Isaiah 40:31 states, "But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint." This imagery encourages believers to trust in God's sustaining power. The sparrow, a small and seemingly insignificant bird, is used to illustrate God's intimate care for His creation. In Matthew 10:29-31, Jesus teaches, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father... So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." This passage reassures believers of their value and God's attentive care. Divine Provision and Protection Birds also serve as examples of God's provision. In the account of Elijah, God uses ravens to provide food for the prophet during a time of drought and famine (1 Kings 17:4-6). This miraculous provision highlights God's sovereignty and His ability to care for His people in unexpected ways. Moreover, birds are depicted as recipients of God's care, illustrating His providence. In Matthew 6:26, Jesus points to the birds of the air, saying, "Look at the birds of the air: they do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" This teaching encourages believers to trust in God's provision and not to be anxious about their needs. Judgment and Consequences In some instances, birds are associated with judgment and desolation. The prophetic literature often uses birds to symbolize the aftermath of divine judgment. For example, in Jeremiah 7:33, the carcasses of the people are said to become food for the birds of the air, indicating the severity of God's judgment on disobedience. Worship and Sacrifice Birds also played a role in the sacrificial system of ancient Israel. Certain birds, such as turtledoves and pigeons, were acceptable offerings for those who could not afford larger animals (Leviticus 1:14-17; 5:7). This provision allowed all Israelites, regardless of economic status, to participate in the sacrificial system and maintain their covenant relationship with God. In summary, birds in the Bible serve as powerful symbols of God's creation, provision, and care, while also illustrating themes of judgment and redemption. Their presence in the biblical narrative enriches the understanding of God's interaction with His creation and His people. Easton's Bible Dictionary Birds are divided in the Mosaic law into two classes, (1) the clean (Leviticus 1:14-17; 5:7-10; 14:4-7), which were offered in sacrifice; and (2) the unclean (Leviticus 11:13-20). When offered in sacrifice, they were not divided as other victims were (Genesis 15:10). They are mentioned also as an article of food (Deuteronomy 14:11). The art of snaring wild birds is referred to (Psalm 124:7; Proverbs 1:17; 7:23; Jeremiah 5:27). Singing birds are mentioned in Psalm 104:12; Ecclesiastes 12:4. Their timidity is alluded to (Hosea 11:11). The reference in Psalm 84:3 to the swallow and the sparrow may be only a comparison equivalent to, "What her house is to the sparrow, and her nest to the swallow, that thine altars are to my soul." Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) Orig., a chicken; the young of a fowl; a young eaglet; a nestling; and hence, a feathered flying animal (see 2).2. (n.) A warm-blooded, feathered vertebrate provided with wings. See Aves. 3. (n.) Specifically, among sportsmen, a game bird. 4. (n.) Fig.: A girl; a maiden. 5. (v. i.) To catch or shoot birds. 6. (v. i.) Hence: To seek for game or plunder; to thieve. Greek 3732. orneon -- a bird ... orneon. 3733 . a bird. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: orneon Phonetic Spelling: (or'-neh-on) Short Definition: a bird Definition: a bird, fowl. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3732.htm - 6k 3733. ornis -- a bird, spec. a rooster or hen 3556a. nossion -- a young bird 3556b. nossos -- a young bird 3556. nossion -- a young bird 4071. peteinon -- winged 4421. ptenos -- winged 4765. strouthion -- a sparrow 105. aetos -- an eagle 3502. neossos -- young. Strong's Hebrew 6833. tsippor -- a birdtsippor or tsippor. 6832, 6833. tsippor or tsippor. 6834 . a bird. Transliteration: tsippor or tsippor Phonetic Spelling: (tsip-pore') Short Definition: bird ... /hebrew/6833.htm - 6k 5861. ayit -- a bird of prey 6853. tsippar -- a bird 7994. shalak -- (bird of prey) probably cormorant 3244. yanshuph -- (a ceremonially unclean bird) perhaps an owl 6855. Tsipporah -- "bird," Moses' wife 601. anaphah -- a ceremonially unclean bird 1866. deror -- swallow (a kind of bird) 5822. ozniyyah -- (a bird of prey) perhaps vulture 5693. agur -- (a kind of bird) perhaps a crane Library A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible February the Sixth the Home-Bird The Wandering Bird The Bird The Night Bird: a Myth A Bird's-Eye view of the Early Church The Fettered Bird Freed. A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible The First Stage in the Leper's Cleansing There is a Popular Philosophical Joke Intended to Typify the ... Thesaurus Bird-net (1 Occurrence)Bird-net. Bird-like, Bird-net. Birds . Multi-Version Concordance Bird-net (1 Occurrence). Psalms 91:3 He will take you ... /b/bird-net.htm - 6k Night-bird (1 Occurrence) Bird-catcher Bird (65 Occurrences) Bird-like (2 Occurrences) Bird's (2 Occurrences) Sparrow (4 Occurrences) Bittern (4 Occurrences) Raven (7 Occurrences) Owl (11 Occurrences) Resources How can Christian parents deal with empty-nest syndrome? | GotQuestions.orgIs the phoenix mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What were the quail mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bird: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Bird (65 Occurrences)Matthew 23:37 Luke 13:34 James 3:7 Revelation 18:2 Genesis 1:21 Genesis 1:30 Genesis 2:19 Genesis 6:7 Genesis 6:20 Genesis 7:3 Genesis 7:14 Genesis 8:19 Genesis 8:20 Genesis 9:2 Genesis 15:9 Genesis 15:10 Leviticus 7:26 Leviticus 11:46 Leviticus 14:5 Leviticus 14:6 Leviticus 14:7 Leviticus 14:50 Leviticus 14:51 Leviticus 14:52 Leviticus 14:53 Leviticus 17:13 Leviticus 20:25 Deuteronomy 4:17 Deuteronomy 14:11 Deuteronomy 14:20 Deuteronomy 22:6 Deuteronomy 22:7 Job 28:7 Job 41:5 Psalms 8:8 Psalms 11:1 Psalms 50:11 Psalms 84:3 Psalms 102:6 Psalms 102:7 Psalms 124:7 Psalms 148:10 Proverbs 1:17 Proverbs 6:5 Proverbs 7:23 Proverbs 26:2 Proverbs 27:8 Ecclesiastes 10:20 Ecclesiastes 12:4 Isaiah 10:14 Isaiah 16:2 Isaiah 38:14 Isaiah 46:11 Jeremiah 9:10 Jeremiah 12:9 Lamentations 3:52 Ezekiel 39:4 Ezekiel 39:17 Ezekiel 44:31 Daniel 4:33 Daniel 7:6 Hosea 9:8 Hosea 9:11 Hosea 11:11 Amos 3:5 Subtopics Scapebird: General Scriptures Concerning Related Terms |
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