In biblical literature, the term "hind" refers to a female deer, specifically a doe. The hind is often used symbolically in the Bible to convey various attributes such as grace, swiftness, and sure-footedness. The Hebrew word for hind is "אַיָּלָה" (ayalah), and it appears in several passages throughout the Old Testament.

Symbolism and Characteristics

The hind is frequently associated with beauty and elegance. In the Song of Solomon, the beloved is compared to a hind, highlighting her grace and beauty: "Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle, that browse among the lilies" (Song of Solomon 4:5). This imagery underscores the gentle and tender nature of the hind, often used to describe the beloved's allure and charm.

The hind is also noted for its agility and speed. In 2 Samuel 22:34, David praises God for making his feet like those of a hind, enabling him to stand on high places: "He makes my feet like those of a deer and stations me upon the heights" . This metaphor emphasizes the ability to navigate difficult terrain with ease and confidence, a quality attributed to divine empowerment.

Spiritual Lessons

The hind's sure-footedness is a powerful metaphor for spiritual stability and reliance on God. In Habakkuk 3:19, the prophet declares, "The Lord GOD is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer; He makes me walk on the heights" . This verse reflects a deep trust in God's provision and guidance, suggesting that just as the hind is equipped to traverse rugged landscapes, believers are equipped to overcome spiritual challenges through faith.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern culture, the hind was a common sight in the wilderness and forests. Its presence in biblical texts reflects the natural environment of the region and the familiarity of the people with this graceful creature. The hind's characteristics made it an apt symbol for conveying messages of beauty, agility, and divine support.

Conclusion

The hind serves as a rich symbol in biblical literature, representing grace, agility, and spiritual resilience. Through its imagery, the Bible communicates themes of divine empowerment and the beauty of creation, offering believers a model of faith and trust in God's strength and guidance.355. ayyalah -- a hind, doe
... doe. Word Origin fem. of ayyal Definition a hind, doe NASB Word Usage deer
(2), doe (2), hind (1), hinds (2), hinds' (3). hind. Feminine ...
/hebrew/355.htm - 6k

I Charge You, O Ye Daughters of Jerusalem, by the Roes and the ...
... CHAPTER III. 5. I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes and the hinds
of the fields, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till she please. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/5 i charge you o.htm

Charge You, O Ye Daughters of Jerusalem, by the Roes and by the ...
... CHAPTER II. 7. I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes and by the
hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love till she please. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/7 i charge you o.htm

The Ideal Devout Life
... 'The Lord God is my Strength, and He will make my feet like hinds' feet, and He
will make me to walk upon mine high places.'"HABBAKKUK iii.19. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the ideal devout life.htm

Chapter ii.
... me.6. His left hand is under my head and his right hand shall embrace me.7. I charge
you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes and by the hinds of the field ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter ii.htm

Chapter iii.
... him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.5. I charge
you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes and by the hinds of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter iii.htm

To Constantius the Prefect.
... us? On this account most of our landowners have fled, our hinds have run
away, and the greater part of our lands are deserted. In ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/xlii to constantius the prefect.htm

November the Eighteenth Exhilarant Spirits
... NOVEMBER The Eighteenth EXHILARANT SPIRITS. "He maketh my feet like hinds'
feet." "Psalm 18:31-39. I think of Wordsworth's lines ...
/.../november the eighteenth exhilarant spirits.htm

Song of Songs of Solomon
... 7. I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes and by the hinds of the
field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love till she please. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/

Letter H
... 1836 * Hillman, Abner P. "Received 1830 * Hillman, Samuel "Received 1802, Located
1810 * Hindall, William "Received 1837 * Hinds, Gustavus "Received ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter h.htm

Continued.
... desert. The voice of Jehovah makes the hinds writhe And scathes the
woods"and in His temple" "All in it (are) saying, "Glory.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/iii early dayscontinued.htm

Hinds (7 Occurrences)
...Hinds (7 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 22:34 He makes his feet like hinds' feet, and sets
me on my high places. ... or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve? ...
/h/hinds.htm - 8k

Gazelles (5 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 2:7 I charge you, daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles, or by the
hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please. ...
/g/gazelles.htm - 8k

Roes (12 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 2:7 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds
of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires. ...
/r/roes.htm - 9k

Awaken (10 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 2:7 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds
of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires. ...
/a/awaken.htm - 9k

Adjure (16 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 2:7 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds
of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires. ...
/a/adjure.htm - 11k

Adjured (11 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Song of Songs 2:7 I have adjured you, daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes
or by the hinds of the field, Stir not up nor wake the love till she please! ...
/a/adjured.htm - 10k

Wake (34 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 2:7 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds
of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires. ...
/w/wake.htm - 17k

Stir (57 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 2:7 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds
of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires. ...
/s/stir.htm - 25k

Hinge (1 Occurrence)

/h/hinge.htm - 9k

Pleases (51 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 2:7 I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles, and by
the hinds of the field, that ye awaken not, nor stir up love, until it please ...
/p/pleases.htm - 21k

What does it mean that God makes our feet like the feet of a deer (Habakkuk 3:19)? | GotQuestions.org

Does the Bible contain allegory? | GotQuestions.org

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