Swallows are small, agile birds known for their swift flight and distinctive forked tails. In the Bible, swallows are mentioned in a few passages, often symbolizing freedom, transience, and the natural world’s order. These birds are part of the larger biblical narrative that uses nature to illustrate spiritual truths and human experiences.

Biblical References:

1. Psalm 84:3 : "Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she places her young near Your altars, O LORD of Hosts, my King and my God." This verse highlights the swallow's instinct to find a safe and secure place for its young, drawing a parallel to the believer's desire to dwell in the presence of God. The imagery of the swallow nesting near the altars of the Lord suggests a sense of belonging and peace found in God's sanctuary.

2. Proverbs 26:2 : "Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest." Here, the swallow's swift and unpredictable flight is used metaphorically to describe the ineffectiveness of an undeserved curse. Just as a swallow does not settle easily, so too will a baseless curse fail to find its mark. This proverb underscores the belief in divine justice and protection for the righteous.

3. Jeremiah 8:7 : "Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the turtledove, swift, and thrush observe the time of their migration. But My people do not know the requirements of the LORD." Although the swallow is not directly mentioned in this verse, the reference to migratory birds like the swift, which is closely related to the swallow, serves as a rebuke to the people of Israel. The passage contrasts the natural instinct of birds to follow God's ordained patterns with the people's failure to adhere to His commandments.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In biblical literature, swallows are often associated with themes of freedom and the fleeting nature of life. Their migratory patterns and ability to navigate vast distances reflect the transient journey of human existence and the soul's longing for a permanent home with God. The swallow's presence in sacred spaces, as depicted in Psalm 84, symbolizes the soul's rest and security in divine fellowship.

The swallow's mention alongside other birds in Proverbs and Jeremiah serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over creation and His expectation for His people to live in accordance with His will. The natural world, including the behavior of swallows, is portrayed as a testament to God's order and wisdom, offering lessons for spiritual reflection and growth.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Israel, swallows were common and familiar birds, often seen darting through the skies in search of insects. Their presence in biblical texts reflects the everyday life and environment of the people, who would have been well-acquainted with these birds' habits and characteristics. The use of swallows in biblical imagery would have resonated with the original audience, providing vivid and relatable illustrations of spiritual truths.

Overall, swallows in the Bible serve as a powerful symbol of the natural order established by God and the spiritual truths that can be discerned from observing His creation.1104. bala -- to swallow down, swallow up, engulf
... 1), consume (1), destroy (1), destroyed (1), destroying (1), end (1), moment (1),
removed (1), ruin (1), spreads (1), swallow (13), swallowed (18), swallows (4 ...
/hebrew/1104.htm - 6k

Sparrows and Altars
... 'When I think,' said he, 'upon the sparrows and swallows that build their nests
in the kirk of Anwoth, and of my dumb Sabbaths, my sorrowful, bleared eyes look ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/sparrows and altars.htm

How St Francis, Having Been Told by St Clare and the Holy Brother ...
... HOLY BROTHER SILVESTER THAT HE SHOULD PREACH AND CONVERT MANY TO THE FAITH, FOUNDED
THE THIRD ORDER, PREACHED TO THE BIRDS, AND REDUCED TO SILENCE THE SWALLOWS. ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xvi how st francis.htm

Diamond and his Mother Sat Down Upon the Edge of the Rough Grass ...
... sleeping so deep. and all the swallows. that dip their feathers. in the hollows.
or in the shallows. are the merriest swallows of all. for the nests they bake. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 13 diamond and his.htm

Of Saint Francis
... Francis set himself to preach, but first he bade the swallows that were twittering
keep silence till such time as he had done the preaching; and the swallows ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/of saint francis.htm

Of an Ecstasy which came to Brother Bernard, and How He Remained ...
... So completely was his mind detached and withdrawn from all things earthly, that
he soared like the swallows above the earth, and remained sometimes twenty ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xxviii of an ecstasy.htm

For a Case must be Imagined...
... imagined, in order that things may be seen more clearly"if dogs, I say, and asses,
and along with them water-wagtails, if the twittering swallows, and pigs ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/17 lo if dogs .htm

The Christians' Call to the Gypies. --Isa. xviii. 7
... Our fathers came not on the wing,. Like swallows in their annual round,. ... Like flowers
in April, from the ground; Although, like flowers, or swallows led,. ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn ccxlii the christians call.htm

The Wind Blew Loud, but Diamond Slept a Deep Sleep...
... Sometimes he thought it must have been the twittering of the swallows"-over the
shallows, you, know; but it may have been the chirping of the dingy sparrows ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 16 the wind blew.htm

Of Love to God
... "Love is strong as the grave" (Cant. viii.6). The grave swallows up the strongest
bodies: so love swallows up the strongest difficulties. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/of love to god.htm

The Little Flowers of St. Francis of Assisi
... HOLY BROTHER SILVESTER THAT HE SHOULD PREACH AND CONVERT MANY TO THE FAITH, FOUNDED
THE THIRD ORDER, PREACHED TO THE BIRDS, AND REDUCED TO SILENCE THE SWALLOWS. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ugolino/the little flowers of st francis of assisi/

Swallows (6 Occurrences)
...Swallows (6 Occurrences). ... (See RSV). Proverbs 21:20 There is precious treasure and
oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swallows it up. (WEB NAS). ...
/s/swallows.htm - 8k

Ossifrage (2 Occurrences)
... "When the other vultures have picked the flesh off any animal, he comes in at the
end of the feast, and swallows the bones, or breaks them, and swallows the ...
/o/ossifrage.htm - 10k

Gulf (3 Occurrences)
... or basin,. 2. (n.) That which swallows; the gullet. 3. (n.) That which
swallows irretrievably; a whirlpool; a sucking eddy. 4. (n ...
/g/gulf.htm - 9k

Swallow (38 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Any one of numerous species of swifts which resemble the true swallows in
form and habits, as the common American chimney swallow, or swift. ...
/s/swallow.htm - 24k

Swallowing (6 Occurrences)

/s/swallowing.htm - 8k

Nest (22 Occurrences)
... vultures, hollow trees or the earth; ravens, big trees; doves and pigeons, trees
or rocky crevices (Jeremiah 48:28); hoopoes, hollow trees; swallows, mud nests ...
/n/nest.htm - 18k

Tolerate (8 Occurrences)
... eyes than to see evil, and who cannot look on perversity, why do you tolerate those
who deal treacherously, and keep silent when the wicked swallows up the man ...
/t/tolerate.htm - 9k

Purer (3 Occurrences)
... eyes than to see evil, and who cannot look on perversity, why do you tolerate those
who deal treacherously, and keep silent when the wicked swallows up the man ...
/p/purer.htm - 7k

Crane (2 Occurrences)
... they were included in Isaiah's reference to spring migration with the beloved doves,
used in sacrifice and for caged pets, and with the swallows that were held ...
/c/crane.htm - 12k

Cat
... In Baruch 6:22 cats are mentioned with "bats, swallows and birds" as sitting with
impunity on the images of the heathen gods which are unable to drive them off ...
/c/cat.htm - 8k

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