The concept of "hovering" in the Bible is primarily associated with the imagery of God's Spirit and His protective, nurturing presence. The term is most notably found in the creation narrative and in descriptions of God's care for His people.

Creation Narrative

The first mention of "hovering" occurs in the creation account in Genesis. Genesis 1:2 states, "Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters." Here, the Hebrew word "rachaph" is used, which conveys the idea of a gentle, protective movement, akin to a bird brooding over its young. This imagery suggests the Spirit's active involvement in creation, preparing and sustaining the nascent world for the life that God would soon call into being.

Divine Protection and Care

The concept of hovering is further illustrated in Deuteronomy 32:11 , where God is compared to an eagle: "As an eagle stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, He spreads His wings to catch them and carries them on His pinions." This metaphor highlights God's nurturing and protective nature, emphasizing His care and guidance for Israel. The image of an eagle hovering over its young conveys a sense of vigilance and readiness to protect, reflecting God's constant watchfulness over His people.

Prophetic Imagery

In the prophetic literature, the idea of hovering can also be seen in the context of divine judgment and deliverance. For instance, Isaiah 31:5 states, "Like birds hovering overhead, so will the LORD of Hosts protect Jerusalem; He will shield it and deliver it; He will pass over and preserve it." This passage uses the imagery of birds hovering to depict God's protective presence over Jerusalem, assuring the people of His deliverance and preservation in times of threat.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of hovering underscores the intimate involvement of God in the world and in the lives of His people. It reflects His creative power, His nurturing care, and His protective oversight. The Spirit's hovering at creation signifies the divine order and purpose being brought to the cosmos, while the protective hovering over Israel and Jerusalem illustrates God's covenantal faithfulness and His commitment to His promises.

In summary, the biblical imagery of hovering conveys a profound sense of God's active presence, both in the act of creation and in His ongoing relationship with His people. It serves as a reminder of His sovereignty, care, and the assurance of His protection and guidance.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Hover.6751. tsalal -- to be or grow dark
... A primitive root (identical with tsalal through the idea of hovering over (compare
tselem)); to shade, as twilight or an opaque object -- begin to be dark ...
/hebrew/6751.htm - 6k

The Primeval Hovering of the Spirit of God Over the Waters Typical ...
... Chapter IV."The Primeval Hovering of the Spirit of God Over the Waters
Typical of Baptism. The Universal Element of Water Thus ...
/.../tertullian/on baptism/chapter iv the primeval hovering of.htm

Angels Hovering Around. Songs of Salvation No. 243.
... Ts'hayilth Staylim 28 ANGELS HOVERING AROUND. Songs of Salvation No. 243. ALKOMAYLUM ...
ENGLISH. 1 There are angels hovering round,. 2 To carry the tidings home,. ...
/.../various/indian methodist hymn-book/28 angels hovering around songs.htm

Three Pictures of one Reality
... will deliver'"means, literally, 'shielding.' Thus we have the same general idea
as that in the previous metaphor of the mother-bird hovering above the nest ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/three pictures of one reality.htm

Going to the Father
... word resound through thirty silent years, the one word is this; and all through
the after years of toil and travail "the Great Name" was always hovering on His ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/going to the father.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... On my arrival I found great confusion reigning: numerous bands of the factious were
reported to be hovering in the neighbourhood, an attack was not deemed ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 17.htm

Andromeda
... Let me die: they war not with ashes!' Sudden she ceased, with a shriek: in the spray,
like a hovering foam-bow, Hung, more fair than the foam-bow, a boy in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/andromeda.htm

The Omnipotent Summons.
... of endless life. Guardian angels are hovering around his dying pillow
ready to waft his spirit into Abraham's bosom. "The souls ...
/.../macduff/memories of bethany/xvi the omnipotent summons.htm

The Host of Heaven and of Earth.
... These passages show that His peculiar work in creation was: 1st, hovering over chaos;
2d, creation of the host of heaven and of earth; 3d, ordering the heavens ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/vi the host of heaven.htm

The Immaculate Conception
... I saw this light issuing from a great host of angels, who were carrying the appearance
of a high shining tower and hovering above the heads of Anna and Joachim ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ii the immaculate conception.htm

Indian Methodist Hymn-book
... 51. 26 THERE IS A HAPPY LAND. 27 'TIS THE PROMISE OF GOD. GH 1-6 No. 5. 28 ANGELS
HOVERING AROUND. Songs of Salvation No. 243. 29 COME TO JESUS. GH 1-6 No. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/indian methodist hymn-book/

Hovering (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hovering (2 Occurrences). ... Darkness was on the surface of
the deep. God's Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters. ...
/h/hovering.htm - 7k

Overhead (4 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 31:5 As birds hovering, so will the LORD of hosts protect Jerusalem; He will
deliver it as He protecteth it, He will rescue it as He passeth over. ...
/o/overhead.htm - 7k

Formless (2 Occurrences)
... empty. Darkness was on the surface of the deep. God's Spirit was hovering
over the surface of the waters. (WEB NAS NIV). Jeremiah ...
/f/formless.htm - 7k

Protecteth (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 31:5 As birds hovering, so will Jehovah of hosts protect Jerusalem; he will
protect and deliver it , he will pass over and preserve it . (See JPS). ...
/p/protecteth.htm - 6k

Surface (71 Occurrences)
... empty. Darkness was on the surface of the deep. God's Spirit was hovering
over the surface of the waters. (WEB NAS NIV). Genesis ...
/s/surface.htm - 29k

Fly (33 Occurrences)
... and American) has "soar" (Job 39:26) "fly down" (Isaiah 11:14); for "flying" (Isaiah
31:5) the American Standard Revised Version has "hovering." WL Walker. ...
/f/fly.htm - 26k

Sardis (3 Occurrences)
... upon thee as a thief.' In each case the message was addressed to `the angel of the
church.' Over every church in the world there is a spirit hovering, as it ...
/s/sardis.htm - 13k

Protect (32 Occurrences)
... them. (WEB NAS NIV). Isaiah 31:5 As birds hovering, so Yahweh of Armies
will protect Jerusalem. He will protect and deliver it. He ...
/p/protect.htm - 15k

Empty (84 Occurrences)
... empty. Darkness was on the surface of the deep. God's Spirit was hovering
over the surface of the waters. (WEB DBY NIV). Genesis ...
/e/empty.htm - 35k

Spirit (706 Occurrences)
... 3. The Spirit in External Nature: We consider next the Spirit of God in external
Nature. "And the Spirit of God moved (was brooding or hovering) upon the face ...
/s/spirit.htm - 101k

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