Lexical Summary gozal: Young bird, fledgling Original Word: גּוֹזל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance young pigeon Or (shortened) gozal {go-zawl'}; from gazal; a nestling (as being comparatively nude of feathers) -- young (pigeon). see HEBREW gazal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition young birds NASB Translation young (1), young pigeon (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs גוֺזָל noun masculineDeuteronomy 32:11 young of birds (Syriac  compare Arabic  ) — וְתֹר וְגוֺזָָֽל׃ Genesis 15:2 pigeon; גּוֺזָלָיו Deuteronomy 32:11 eaglet (suffix reference to נֶשֶׁר). גזם (cut off, Late Hebrew id., Ethiopic Topical Lexicon Definition and Imagery Gozal portrays a fledgling—newly hatched, dependent, and unable yet to fly. The picture is one of utter vulnerability entwined with parental nurture and protection. Scripture employs the term to evoke covenant sacrifice and divine care. Occurrences in Scripture Genesis 15:9 presents gozal in the context of Abram’s covenant ceremony: “Bring Me a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each three years old, along with a turtledove and a young pigeon.” Deuteronomy 32:11 likens the LORD to a vigilant eagle: “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, He spreads His wings to catch them and carries them aloft”. Together these uses establish sacrificial and pastoral dimensions of the fledgling motif. Themes and Theological Significance 1. Covenant Foundation. The fledgling in Genesis 15 underlines the costliness of God’s unilateral covenant. A life—however small—must be given, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice that secures redemption (Hebrews 9:22). Historical and Cultural Background Young pigeons were readily accessible and acceptable for worshipers of modest means (Leviticus 1:14). Their inclusion in Abram’s offering highlights God’s accommodation to human circumstance while maintaining holiness. Eagles, revered for strength and care of their brood, supplied Israel an emblem drawn from wilderness observation; Moses’ song therefore resonated with every shepherd and herdsman who had watched eaglets learn to fly. Christological and Redemptive Foreshadowing The fledgling sacrificed in Genesis 15 anticipates Jesus Christ, the innocent life offered to secure the eternal covenant (Luke 22:20). In Deuteronomy, the eagle’s hovering recalls the Spirit descending at Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:16), signaling divine endorsement and protective mission. Thus gozal subtly threads through both Old and New Testament revelation, culminating in the cross and empty tomb. Pastoral and Devotional Insights • Discipleship mirrors the eagle’s method: stirring saints from comfort yet never releasing them from divine grasp (James 1:2-4). Related Scriptures Psalm 84:3; Psalm 103:5; Isaiah 31:5; Matthew 23:37; 1 Peter 2:2. Each passage reinforces the biblical pattern of God’s sheltering embrace and sacrificial provision. Summary Gozal, though rare, furnishes rich theology: a sacrificed fledgling seals covenant beginnings; fledglings beneath an eagle’s wings portray covenant faithfulness. From patriarchal altar to wilderness nest, Scripture unites the themes of sacrifice, security, and sanctifying growth—calling every believer to rest beneath, and rise upon, the wings of the Almighty. Forms and Transliterations גּוֹזָלָ֖יו גוזליו וְגוֹזָֽל׃ וגוזל׃ gō·w·zā·lāw gōwzālāw gozaLav vegoZal wə·ḡō·w·zāl wəḡōwzālLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 15:9 HEB: מְשֻׁלָּ֑שׁ וְתֹ֖ר וְגוֹזָֽל׃ NAS: and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. KJV: and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. INT: old turtledove young Deuteronomy 32:11 2 Occurrences |
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