Topical Encyclopedia In the Bible, the ostrich is often used as a symbol of desolation and abandonment, reflecting its natural habitat and behavior. The cry of the ostrich is mentioned in several passages, highlighting its distinctive and mournful sound, which serves as a metaphor for lamentation and desolation.Biblical References: 1. Job 30:29 (BSB): "I have become a brother to jackals and a companion of ostriches." In this verse, Job laments his state of suffering and isolation. The mention of ostriches, alongside jackals, underscores the depth of his desolation. The cry of the ostrich, known for its eerie and mournful tone, symbolizes Job's profound sense of abandonment and despair. 2. Micah 1:8 (BSB): "Because of this I will lament and wail; I will walk barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and mourn like an ostrich." Here, the prophet Micah uses the imagery of the ostrich's mournful cry to express his deep sorrow over the impending judgment on Israel. The ostrich's cry serves as a powerful metaphor for the prophet's intense grief and lamentation. 3. Lamentations 4:3 (BSB): "Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but the daughter of my people has become cruel, like ostriches in the wilderness." In this passage, the ostrich is used to illustrate a lack of maternal care, as it was believed that ostriches were neglectful of their eggs. The cry of the ostrich, echoing through the wilderness, becomes a symbol of the desolation and harshness that has befallen the people. Symbolism and Interpretation: The cry of the ostrich in biblical literature is emblematic of desolation, abandonment, and lamentation. The ostrich, a creature of the wilderness, is often associated with barren and uninhabited places. Its mournful cry is likened to the sounds of sorrow and mourning, reflecting the emotional and spiritual desolation experienced by individuals or communities facing divine judgment or personal suffering. In the cultural context of the Bible, the ostrich's cry would have been a familiar sound in the arid regions of the Near East, reinforcing its symbolic use in Scripture. The imagery of the ostrich's cry serves to evoke a visceral response, drawing the reader into the depth of the lament being expressed. Natural History: The ostrich is the largest living bird, native to Africa and parts of the Middle East. Known for its speed and distinctive appearance, the ostrich is a flightless bird that thrives in open, arid environments. Its call, a deep, booming sound, can be heard over long distances, contributing to its symbolic use in biblical texts as a representation of isolation and desolation. In summary, the cry of the ostrich in the Bible is a poignant symbol of lamentation and desolation, used to convey the profound emotional and spiritual states of individuals and communities in times of distress. The biblical authors employed this imagery to evoke a deep sense of empathy and understanding of the human condition in the face of suffering and divine judgment. Nave's Topical Index Micah 1:8Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls. Nave's Topical Index Strong's Hebrew 3283. yaen -- ostrich... from an unused word Definition ostrich NASB Word Usage ostriches (1). ostrich. From the same as ya'an; the ostrich (probably from its answering cry -- ostrich. ... /hebrew/3283.htm - 6k Library Isaiah's Discourse Isaiah's Walamir and St. Telemachus The Christian Race. Answer to Eunomius' Second Book . The Nile and Egypt And ii. The Iranian Conquest Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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