In biblical literature, the term "fluttering" is often used to describe a rapid, trembling motion, typically associated with birds or wings. This imagery is employed in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, symbolizing protection, divine presence, or the movement of the Spirit.

Symbol of Protection and Care

One of the most poignant uses of "fluttering" in the Bible is found in Deuteronomy 32:11, where it describes God's care for Israel: "Like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, He spread His wings to catch them; He carried them on His pinions." Here, the fluttering of the eagle's wings is a metaphor for God's protective and nurturing nature, emphasizing His attentive care and guidance over His people. The imagery of an eagle hovering or fluttering over its young conveys a sense of vigilance and readiness to protect.

Divine Presence and Movement

The concept of fluttering is also associated with the presence and movement of the Holy Spirit. In Genesis 1:2, the Spirit of God is described as "hovering over the surface of the waters." While the Berean Standard Bible uses the term "hovering," the original Hebrew word "rachaph" can also be understood as "fluttering" or "brooding," suggesting a dynamic and life-giving presence. This imagery sets the stage for the creative acts of God, indicating the Spirit's active role in bringing order and life to the cosmos.

Judgment and Desolation

In some instances, fluttering is used to depict desolation and judgment. Isaiah 19:1 states, "Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians melt within them." The trembling or fluttering of the idols signifies their powerlessness in the face of God's judgment. This use of fluttering underscores the futility of relying on false gods and the ultimate sovereignty of the Lord.

Human Emotion and Response

Fluttering can also describe human emotions, particularly fear or anxiety. In Hosea 11:11, the prophet speaks of the Israelites returning from exile: "They will come trembling like birds from Egypt and like doves from the land of Assyria, and I will settle them in their homes, declares the LORD." The fluttering or trembling of the people reflects their apprehension and vulnerability, yet it is met with God's promise of restoration and peace.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, the imagery of fluttering serves as a powerful symbol of divine protection, presence, and judgment, as well as human emotion. Whether depicting the nurturing care of God, the active movement of the Spirit, or the trembling of idols and people, fluttering conveys a sense of movement and life that is deeply woven into the biblical narrative.4423. ptoesis -- a fluttering, excitement, hence terror
... a fluttering, excitement, hence terror. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
ptoesis Phonetic Spelling: (pto'-ay-sis) Short Definition: terror ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4423.htm - 6k7479. realah -- probably a veil
... Word Origin from raal Definition probably a veil NASB Word Usage veils (1). muffler.
Feminine of ra'al; a long veil (as fluttering) -- muffler. see HEBREW ra'al ...
/hebrew/7479.htm - 6k

5264. nasas -- perhaps to be high or conspicuous
... afar, ie To be conspicuous as a signal; or rather perhaps a denominative from nec
(and identical with nacac, through the idea of a flag as fluttering in the ...
/hebrew/5264.htm - 6k

6079. aphaph -- eyelid
... dawning, eye-lid. From uwph; an eyelash (as fluttering); figuratively, morning ray --
dawning, eye-lid. see HEBREW uwph. 6078, 6079. aphaph. 6080 . ...
/hebrew/6079.htm - 6k

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

The Question of the Tall Gentleman as to Whether Diamond could ...
... After the merry boy fluttering and going; ... And they flew through the wood all flattering
and fluttering, Over the dead leaves flickering and muttering. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 20 the question of.htm

The Fixed Heart
... I must have a steadfast affection, and not merely a fluttering love, that, like
some butterfly, lights now on this, now on that, sweet flower, but which has a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the fixed heart.htm

"There, Baby!" Said Diamond; "I'M So Happy that I Can Only Sing ...
... of each fluttered two little wings, which were of no use for flying, as they were
mere buds; only being made for it they could not help fluttering as if they ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 25 there baby said.htm

The Converted Infidel
... The poor sparrow was fluttering around a circle of some few feet in diameter, the
circle becoming smaller at each gyration of the infatuated bird. ...
/.../touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/the converted infidel.htm

The Manifestation of the Messiah
... vail was rent to admit of the coming forth of the Divine Spirit, who seemed to descend
in visible shape"as a dove might, with gentle, fluttering motion"and ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/vii the manifestation of the.htm

Introduction
... A child is snatched from pinching hunger, fluttering rags, and all the squalor of
gutter life; from a creeping existence in the noisome pool of slum society is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/introduction.htm

Five Kings in a Cave
... children of Israel had marched about Jericho and the walls were about to fall, suddenly
they lifted their eyes and they saw the red cord fluttering from the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/five kings in a cave.htm

The First Games
... In the Moorish cafes, in the wretchedest gourbis, cages made of reeds are hung
on the walls, all rustling with trills and fluttering of wings. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iv the first games.htm

Tee Advice of Hotep
... He did not care to know which one of the butterflies was the fluttering object of
Kenkenes' bounteous love, for Hotep knew that those high-born Memphian women ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xvi tee advice of.htm

Fluttering (3 Occurrences)
...Fluttering (3 Occurrences). ... Proverbs 26:2 Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting
swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest. (WEB NIV). ...
/f/fluttering.htm - 7k

Undeserved (1 Occurrence)
... Undeserved (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 26:2 Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting
swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest. (WEB DBY NIV). ...
/u/undeserved.htm - 6k

Fluttereth (3 Occurrences)

/f/fluttereth.htm - 7k

Flitting (1 Occurrence)
... & vb. n.) of Flit. 2. (n.) A flying with lightness and celerity; a fluttering. 3.
(n.) A removal from one habitation to another. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/f/flitting.htm - 6k

Flutters (2 Occurrences)

/f/flutters.htm - 7k

Existed (18 Occurrences)
... Genesis 1:2 the earth hath existed waste and void, and darkness 'is' on the face
of the deep, and the Spirit of God fluttering on the face of the waters, (YLT). ...
/e/existed.htm - 11k

Darting (4 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Proverbs 26:2 Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow,
so the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest. (WEB NIV). ...
/d/darting.htm - 7k

Arabah (32 Occurrences)
... of climate was most marked, from the sandy desert to masses of tangled vegetation
with streams of water running in all directions, birds fluttering from every ...
/a/arabah.htm - 33k

Sparrow (4 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Proverbs 26:2 Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting
swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest. ...
/s/sparrow.htm - 13k

Swallow (38 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 26:2 Like a fluttering sparrow,
like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest. ...
/s/swallow.htm - 24k

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