Chickens, while not frequently mentioned in the Bible, hold a place in biblical symbolism and cultural context. These domesticated birds are primarily referenced in terms of their behavior and the lessons that can be drawn from them.

Biblical References and Symbolism

One of the most notable references to chickens in the Bible is found in the New Testament, where Jesus uses the imagery of a hen gathering her chicks to express His desire to protect and care for Jerusalem. In Matthew 23:37 , Jesus laments, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!" This metaphor highlights the nurturing and protective nature of a hen, symbolizing God's love and care for His people, even when they are resistant to His call.

In the context of Peter's denial of Jesus, the rooster plays a significant role. Jesus predicts Peter's denial, saying, "Truly I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times" (Matthew 26:34). The crowing of the rooster serves as a poignant reminder of human frailty and the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy. This event underscores themes of repentance and forgiveness, as Peter weeps bitterly after realizing his denial, yet is later restored by Jesus.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Israel, chickens were not as commonly domesticated as they are today, but they were known and valued for their eggs and meat. The presence of chickens in biblical times is more implied through the understanding of their behavior and the lessons drawn from them rather than explicit mentions of their domestication.

Chickens, particularly roosters, were often associated with vigilance and the heralding of a new day. The crowing of a rooster at dawn was a familiar sound, marking the transition from night to day. This natural behavior of roosters is utilized in the Gospels to signify the moment of Peter's realization and repentance.

Theological Implications

The use of chicken imagery in the Bible serves to illustrate deeper theological truths. The hen's protective nature is a powerful representation of God's desire to shelter and nurture His people, offering them refuge and safety. This maternal imagery complements the broader biblical theme of God's steadfast love and faithfulness.

The rooster's crow, in the context of Peter's denial, serves as a call to awareness and repentance. It reminds believers of the importance of vigilance in their faith and the ever-present opportunity for redemption and restoration through Christ.

In summary, while chickens are not a central focus in the biblical narrative, their symbolic use provides valuable insights into God's character and the human experience. Through the imagery of hens and roosters, the Bible communicates themes of protection, repentance, and the enduring love of God.3555. nossia -- a brood of young birds
... Word Origin from nossos Definition a brood of young birds NASB Word Usage brood
(1). brood. From neossos; a brood (of chickens) -- brood. see GREEK neossos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3555.htm - 6k

All who Walk According to Truth are Children of God.
... And that He calls us chickens the Scripture testifies: "As a hen gathereth her chickens
under her wings." [1062] Thus are we the Lord's chickens; the Word thus ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter v all who walk according.htm

John Chapter iv. Jan-42
... 7. As weak, then, He nourishes the weak, as a hen her chickens; for He likened Him
self to a hen: "How often," He saith to Jerusalem, "would I have gathered ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xv john chapter iv.htm

Psalm LIX.
... of the loftiness of our Head Himself: for He was made weak even unto death, and
He took on Him the weakness of flesh, in order that the chickens of Jerusalem ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lix.htm

Psalm XCI.
... If the hen defends her chickens beneath her wings; how much more shalt thou be safe
beneath the wings of God, even against the devil and his angels, the powers ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xci.htm

Argument: the Weapon that C??cilius had Slightly Brandished ...
... and Junius lost their armies on this account, because they did not judge it well
to wait for the very solemn omen given by the greedy pecking of the chickens. ...
/.../felix/the octavius of minucius felix/chapter xxvi argument the weapon that.htm

Natural Love.
... The same hen which at other times runs away at the distant approach of dog or cat,
flies at the ugliest cat or fiercest bulldog when she has chickens to defend ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xvii natural love.htm

How to Tell a Story
... "Jethro," said the judge, "you are accused of stealing General Johnson's chickens.
Have you any witnesses?". ... I never steal chickens befo' witnesses.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/how to tell a story.htm

Three Pictures of one Reality
... And the picture rises at once of her fluttering over the nest, where the
callow chickens are, unable to fly and to help themselves. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/three pictures of one reality.htm

Of the Zeal or Jealousy which we have for Our Lord.
... Who is scandalized and I am not on fire? [475] Mark, say the ancients, mark what
love, what care, and what jealousy a mother-hen has for her chickens (for our ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xiv of the zeal.htm

Letter Xlvi. Paula and Eustochium to Marcella.
... As a hen gathers her chickens, so did you take us under your wing. [938] And
will you now let us fly about at random with no mother near us? ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xlvi paula and eustochium.htm

Chickens (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Chickens (1 Occurrence). Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest ...
/c/chickens.htm - 6k

Chicken
... The record is to be found in the books of the disciples, but Jesus is responsible
for the only direct mention of chickens in the Bible. ...
/c/chicken.htm - 10k

Brood (19 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The young birds hatched at one time; a hatch; as, a brood of chickens. ... 9.
(vt) To sit over, cover, and cherish; as, a hen broods her chickens. 10. ...
/b/brood.htm - 13k

Fowl (73 Occurrences)
... fowl was not common so early in Palestine,but it may have been brought by Solomon
with other imports from the East; in New Testament times chickens were common ...
/f/fowl.htm - 36k

Egg (3 Occurrences)
...Chickens were unknown in Palestine in the days of Job, so that his query concerning
the taste of the white of an egg might have referred to those of pigeons ...
/e/egg.htm - 10k

Vulture (16 Occurrences)
... death of the poet. Several smaller species, including "Pharaoh's chickens,"
flocked all over Palestine. These were protected by ...
/v/vulture.htm - 14k

Killeth (23 Occurrences)
... how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth
her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (ASV). ...
/k/killeth.htm - 13k

Killing (41 Occurrences)
... killing the prophets, and stoning those sent unto thee, how often did I will to
gather thy children together, as a hen doth gather her own chickens under the ...
/k/killing.htm - 19k

Killest (3 Occurrences)
... the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have
gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her ...
/k/killest.htm - 7k

Gier-eagle (4 Occurrences)
... of this the birds became so frequent and daring around camps, among tent-dwellers,
and in cities, that they were commonly called "Pharaoh's chickens." They are ...
/g/gier-eagle.htm - 8k

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