Lexical Summary ayeleth: Doe, Hind Original Word: אַיֶּלֶת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hind, Aijeleth The same as 'ayalah; a doe -- hind, Aijeleth. see HEBREW 'ayalah Topical Lexicon Animal Imagery and the Covenant Community The term refers to a female deer, a creature well known in the ancient Near East for agility, elegance, and maternal instinct. Because Israel’s daily life was intertwined with pastoral and wilderness settings, such images spoke powerfully to worshipers and readers across generations. Occurrences and Immediate Contexts • Psalm 22:1 introduces the psalm “To the tune of ‘The Doe of the Dawn.’” The superscription links the suffering cry of David—and ultimately of the Messiah—to the picture of a hind caught at daybreak, vulnerable yet poised for deliverance. Symbol of Grace and Beauty Throughout Scripture the hind embodies gracefulness (compare Song of Songs 2:9 using the male counterpart). In Proverbs 5 it illustrates the God-ordained attractiveness of covenant marriage. Just as the doe moves with elegant ease, so the marital relationship should move in unforced affection and purity. Vulnerability and Dependence The hind is also notably defenseless, relying on speed rather than strength. Psalm 22 magnifies this aspect: David, and by prophetic extension Jesus Christ, is pictured as innocent prey surrounded by strong bulls and roaring lions. The superscription reminds worshipers that apparent helplessness is not defeat; dawn is coming. Jeremiah’s image widens the theme—when even the swift, caring hind abandons her fawn, the land’s desperation is complete. Judah’s only hope is repentance and divine mercy. Prophetic and Messianic Implications Psalm 22 stands at the heart of messianic prophecy. The tie to the “Doe of the Dawn” highlights: 1. Timing—dawn hints at resurrection morning following the darkness of the cross (Matthew 28:1). Marriage, Fidelity, and Pastoral Care Proverbs 5 anchors sexual ethics in delight rather than mere duty. The hind metaphor invites husbands to cherish their wives’ God-given beauty and to guard the marital fountain from adulterous contamination. Pastoral ministry can appeal to this text when counseling couples, emphasizing that Scripture celebrates intimacy in its proper covenant setting. Judgment and National Warnings Jeremiah 14 reveals how sin-induced judgment distorts creation order. The hind, renowned for attentiveness to her young, now abandons them. Such imagery stirs the conscience, calling God’s people to intercessory prayer (Jeremiah 14:7-9) and reminding modern readers that societal collapse often shows itself in breakdowns of natural affections. Historical and Cultural Insights In the ancient Levant, deer roamed wooded hills and open fields, offering hunters both meat and hides. Poets and prophets drew from familiar scenes: a doe leaping over crags at dawn, or standing alert near watercourses. Musicians likewise named melodies after well-known natural pictures, aiding congregational memory. Theological Themes for Worship and Teaching 1. God’s faithfulness shines against human frailty; the hind’s weakness contrasts with the Lord’s strength. Summary Across its three appearances, the hind motif moves from passionate love, to intense suffering, to profound national distress—yet in every setting it calls God’s people to trust, purity, and hope. Whether heard in the dawn-lit courts of Davidic worship, the intimate counsel of Solomon, or the tear-stained prophecies of Jeremiah, the image directs hearts to the God who rescues the helpless, sanctifies marriage, and disciplines nations for their ultimate restoration. Forms and Transliterations אַיֶּ֙לֶת֙ אַיֶּ֥לֶת אילת ’ay·ye·leṯ ’ayyeleṯ aiYeletLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 22:1 HEB: לַ֭מְנַצֵּחַ עַל־ אַיֶּ֥לֶת הַשַּׁ֗חַר מִזְמ֥וֹר KJV: < INT: Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar A Psalm Proverbs 5:19 Jeremiah 14:5 3 Occurrences |
    |