The term "hover" in the biblical context is most notably associated with the imagery of the Spirit of God in the creation narrative. The Hebrew word often translated as "hover" is "rachaph," which conveys a sense of moving gently or fluttering. This term appears in the opening verses of the Bible, setting a foundational understanding of God's creative and sustaining presence.

Creation Narrative

In Genesis 1:2 , the text states, "Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters." Here, the Spirit of God is depicted as hovering over the chaotic waters, symbolizing divine order and life-giving power poised to bring forth creation. This imagery suggests an active, nurturing presence, akin to a bird hovering over its nest, ready to bring forth life and order from chaos.

Symbolism and Theological Implications

The act of hovering in this context is rich with theological significance. It implies God's intimate involvement with His creation, emphasizing His sovereignty and the dynamic nature of His creative work. The Spirit's hovering is not passive but anticipatory, indicating the imminent act of creation that follows. This portrayal underscores the belief in a God who is both transcendent and immanent, deeply involved in the world He creates.

Other Biblical References

While the specific term "hover" is not frequently used throughout the Bible, the concept of God's protective and nurturing presence is echoed in various passages. For instance, Deuteronomy 32:11 uses similar imagery: "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." This verse highlights God's care and guidance for Israel, drawing a parallel to the creation narrative's depiction of divine oversight and protection.

Application in Christian Theology

In Christian theology, the image of the Spirit hovering over the waters is often seen as a precursor to the work of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. Just as the Spirit was present at the dawn of creation, so too is the Spirit active in the new creation brought about through Christ. This continuity emphasizes the Spirit's role in both the physical and spiritual realms, bringing life, renewal, and transformation.

The concept of hovering, therefore, serves as a powerful reminder of God's ongoing presence and activity in the world. It reassures believers of His constant care and the promise of new beginnings, both in the natural world and in the spiritual lives of His people.1. (n.) A cover; a shelter; a protection.

2. (v. i.) To hang fluttering in the air, or on the wing; to remain in flight or floating about or over a place or object; to be suspended in the air above something.

3. (v. i.) To hang about; to move to and fro near a place, threateningly, watchfully, or irresolutely.

2523. kathizo -- to make to sit down, to sit down
... active) form for kathezomai; to seat down, ie Set (figuratively, appoint);
intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell) -- continue ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2523.htm - 7k7363b. rachaph -- to hover
... rachaph. 7364 . to hover. Transliteration: rachaph Short Definition: hovers. Word
Origin a prim. root Definition to hover NASB Word Usage hovers (1), moving ( ...
/hebrew/7363b.htm - 5k

Virtues of the Mantle. It Pleads in Its Own Defence.
... "I," it says, "owe no duty to the forum, the election-ground, or the senate-house;
I keep no obsequious vigil, preoccupy no platforms, hover about no ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter v virtues of the mantle.htm

Brooks -- the Pride of Life
... world.". What is the pride of life? Pride is one of those words which hover
in the middle region between virtue and vice. The materials ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/brooks the pride of.htm

Visits of Angels.
... Angels are detailed for our protection: heavenly visitants hover near us lest
the fires of affliction destroy us. UNDERSTANDING CHRIST. ...
/.../rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter xi visits of angels.htm

Death
... "DEATH," wrote Paber, "is an unsurveyed land, an unarranged Science." Poetry draws
near Death only to hover over it for a moment and withdraw in terror. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/death.htm

Angelic Comforters.
... of the Saviour's grace and mercy are vouchsafed"the Promises of God, like the
ministering angels on Mount Olivet, are sent to hover around these stricken ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xxii angelic comforters.htm

Ninth Day. Prayerfulness.
... He prayed! How deeply sacred the prayerful memories that hover around the
solitudes of Olivet and the shores of Tiberias! He seemed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/the mind of jesus/ninth day prayerfulness.htm

Amos
... his soul. He is familiar with lions and bears, iii.8, v.19, and the terrors
of the wilderness hover over all his message. He had ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/amos.htm

Artifices of the Demons.
... and to consider thoughtfully the Father and Maker of all things, gets impressed
with false opinions respecting itself, then the demons who hover about matter ...
/.../athenagoras/a plea for the christians/chapter xxvii artifices of the demons.htm

The Next Night Diamond was Seated by his Open Window...
... Along the surface of the river, darkly clear below them in the moonlight, they floated;
now, where it widened out into a little lake, they would hover for a ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 37 the next night.htm

One with Christ.
... BEREAVEMENT.) 12,11,12,11,12,11,12,11. What though the dark cloud for a season
doth hover,. O'er pleasures and prospects so humble as thine; ...
//christianbookshelf.org/morris/favourite welsh hymns/xxxvi one with christ.htm

Hover (1 Occurrence)
...Hover (1 Occurrence). Job 28:4 He openeth a shaft far from the inhabitants of the
earth: forgotten of the foot, they hang suspended; away below men they hover. ...
/h/hover.htm - 7k

Hove (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (v.) imp. & pp of Heave. 4. (vi & t.) To rise; to swell; to heave; to cause to
swell. 5. (vi) To hover around; to loiter; to lurk. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/h/hove.htm - 7k

Bait (3 Occurrences)
... 9. (vi) To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when
she stoops to her prey. Multi-Version Concordance Bait (3 Occurrences). ...
/b/bait.htm - 8k

Suspended (2 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Job 28:4 He openeth a shaft far from the inhabitants of the earth: forgotten
of the foot, they hang suspended; away below men they hover. (DBY). ...
/s/suspended.htm - 7k

Hang (37 Occurrences)
... (vi) To be, or be like, a suspended weight. 13. (vi) To hover; to impend; to appear
threateningly; -- usually with over; as, evils hang over the country. 14. ...
/h/hang.htm - 20k

Openeth (48 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Job 28:4 He openeth a shaft far from the inhabitants of the
earth: forgotten of the foot, they hang suspended; away below men they hover. ...
/o/openeth.htm - 20k

Below (52 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Job 28:4 He openeth a shaft far from the inhabitants of the earth: forgotten
of the foot, they hang suspended; away below men they hover. (DBY). ...
/b/below.htm - 22k

Hovered (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Hover. Multi-Version Concordance
Hovered (2 Occurrences). Genesis 1:2 And the earth was ...
/h/hovered.htm - 7k

Low (216 Occurrences)
... Job 28:4 He openeth a shaft far from the inhabitants of the earth: forgotten of
the foot, they hang suspended; away below men they hover. (Root in DBY YLT). ...
/l/low.htm - 39k

Hovering (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Hover. Multi-Version Concordance
Hovering (2 Occurrences). Genesis 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty. ...
/h/hovering.htm - 7k

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