Definition and Context
Flying, in the biblical context, often refers to the act of moving through the air, typically associated with birds, angels, or divine beings. The concept of flying is used both literally and metaphorically throughout the Scriptures to convey messages of swiftness, divine intervention, and spiritual transcendence.

Biblical References

1. Birds and Creation
The Bible frequently mentions birds as part of God's creation, highlighting their ability to fly as a testament to God's creative power. In Genesis 1:20, God commands, "Let the waters teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky." This passage underscores the natural order established by God, where flying creatures inhabit the skies.

2. Angelic Beings
Angels are often depicted as having the ability to fly, symbolizing their role as messengers of God. In Isaiah 6:2, the prophet describes seraphim with six wings, two of which are used for flying: "Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: with two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying." This imagery emphasizes the holiness and swiftness of these celestial beings.

3. Divine Protection and Deliverance
Flying is also used metaphorically to describe God's protection and deliverance. In Exodus 19:4, God reminds the Israelites of His care: "You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself." Here, the imagery of flying on eagles' wings conveys strength, speed, and the nurturing care of God.

4. Prophetic Visions
The prophets often used the imagery of flying to convey visions and messages from God. In Ezekiel 1:24, the prophet describes the sound of the wings of the living creatures as "like the roar of rushing waters, like the voice of the Almighty, like the tumult of an army." This powerful imagery underscores the majesty and authority of God's presence.

5. Spiritual Renewal
Flying is also a metaphor for spiritual renewal and strength. 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 verse encourages believers to trust in God for renewed strength and vitality, likening their spiritual ascent to the flight of an eagle.

Theological Implications

The concept of flying in the Bible often signifies divine intervention, protection, and the transcendence of earthly limitations. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the spiritual elevation available to believers through faith. The imagery of flying, whether through the natural world or in the realm of the divine, points to the majesty and power of God, as well as the hope and renewal found in His presence.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Fly.

2. (v. i.) Moving in the air with, or as with, wings; moving lightly or rapidly; intended for rapid movement.

4072. petomai -- to fly
... Definition: I fly. Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to fly NASB Word
Usage fly (2), flying (3). flying. Or prolongation petaomai ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4072.htm - 6k

4071. peteinon -- winged
... bird, fowl. Neuter of a derivative of petomai; a flying animal, ie Bird --
bird, fowl. see GREEK petomai. (peteina) -- 11 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4071.htm - 6k

5775. oph -- flying creatures
... 5774b, 5775. oph. 5776 . flying creatures. Transliteration: oph Phonetic Spelling:
(ofe) Short Definition: birds. ... bird, that flieth, flying, fowl. ...
/hebrew/5775.htm - 6k

5774a. uph -- to fly
... 5774, 5774a. uph. 5774b . to fly. Transliteration: uph Short Definition:
flying. Word Origin a prim. root Definition to fly NASB ...
/hebrew/5774a.htm - 5k

3671. kanaph -- wing, extremity
... wingspan (1). bird, border, corner, end, feathered, flying, one another,
overspreading,. From kanaph; an edge or extremity; specifically ...
/hebrew/3671.htm - 6k

5133. notsah -- plumage
... Or notsah {no-tsaw'}; feminine active participle of natsah in the sense of flying;
a pinion (or wing feather); often (collectively) plumage -- feather(-s ...
/hebrew/5133.htm - 6k

Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Advent 62. Wake, awake, for night is flying. PM [229]Sleepers,
Wake: ... Tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1858. Wake, awake, for night is flying: ...
/.../advent 62 wake awake for.htm

Concerning Reptiles and Flying Creatures (Ver. 20), --The ...
... Book XIII. Chapter XX."Concerning Reptiles and Flying Creatures (Ver.
20),"The Sacrament of Baptism Being Regarded. 26. Let ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xx concerning reptiles and flying.htm

Why God Has Blessed Men, Fishes, Flying Creatures, and not Herbs ...
... Book XIII. Chapter XXIV."Why God Has Blessed Men, Fishes, Flying Creatures,
and Not Herbs and the Other Animals (Ver. 28). 35. ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xxiv why god has blessed.htm

Isaiah was Sent by the Spirit, and Accordingly the Same Spirit was ...
... about Him, each one had six wings, and with two they were covering His face, and
with two they were covering His feet, and with two they were flying; and they ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxi isaiah was sent.htm

Three Pictures of one Reality
... 'As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also He
will deliver it; and passing over He will preserve it'"Isaiah 31:5. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/three pictures of one reality.htm

The Word Success Can of Course be Used in Two Senses. ...
... It is one thing to say that Smith's flying machine is a failure, and quite another
to say that Smith has failed to make a flying machine. ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 37 the word success.htm

The Manich??an Fictions About Things Good and Evil are not ...
... of fire, another of smoke; to the animals born in each of these elements,"serpents
in the darkness, swimming creatures in the waters, flying creatures in the ...
/.../chapter 9 name manichaean fictions.htm

Of the Figures and Limbs of Animals.
... is also a third class, in which those former limbs are neither feet nor hands; but
wings, which, having feathers arranged in order, supply the use of flying. ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap v of the figures and.htm

Now Suppose that While You were Writing This, as You Tell us You ...
... it, you will then stir up against him as you complain that they now do by your letters
of admonition, your vehement attestations, and satellites flying in all ...
/.../21 now suppose that while.htm

From the Fourth Chapter.
... living creature was like to a lion, and the second was like to a calf, and the third
had a face like to a man, and the fourth was like to a flying eagle; and ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the fourth chapter.htm

Flying (22 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Flying (22 Occurrences). ... Revelation 8:13 I saw, and I heard
an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe! Woe! ...
/f/flying.htm - 12k

Teeming (18 Occurrences)
... NAS). Leviticus 11:20 Every teeming creature which is flying, which is going
on four -- an abomination it 'is' to you. (YLT). Leviticus ...
/t/teeming.htm - 12k

Wing (18 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Any similar member or instrument used for the purpose of flying. ... 4.
(n.) One of the large pectoral fins of the flying fishes. ...
/w/wing.htm - 15k

Flight (325 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act or flying; a passing through the air
by the help of wings; volitation; mode or style of flying. ...
/f/flight.htm - 38k

Midair (4 Occurrences)
... Revelation 8:13 And I saw, and I heard one messenger, flying in the mid-heaven,
saying with a great voice, 'Wo, wo, wo, to those dwelling upon the land from ...
/m/midair.htm - 7k

Midheaven (3 Occurrences)
... Revelation 8:13 And I saw, and I heard one messenger, flying in the mid-heaven,
saying with a great voice, 'Wo, wo, wo, to those dwelling upon the land from ...
/m/midheaven.htm - 7k

Eagle (27 Occurrences)
... The young ones still and slowly followed, apparently flying better as they mounted;
and they continued this sublime exercise, always rising till they became ...
/e/eagle.htm - 28k

Viper (8 Occurrences)
... all of thee, because the rod that smote thee is broken; for out of the serpent's
root shall come forth a viper, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent. ...
/v/viper.htm - 10k

Flitting (1 Occurrence)
... & vb. n.) of Flit. 2. (n.) A flying with lightness and celerity; a fluttering. 3.
(n.) A removal from one habitation to another. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/f/flitting.htm - 6k

Mid (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Mid (3 Occurrences). Revelation 8:13 I saw, and I heard
an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe! Woe! ...
/m/mid.htm - 7k

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