In the Bible, nests are often used metaphorically and literally to convey various spiritual and moral lessons. The imagery of nests is employed to illustrate themes of security, care, and sometimes false confidence.

Literal References:

1. Deuteronomy 22:6-7 · The Law of Moses includes specific instructions regarding birds' nests: "If you come across a bird’s nest beside the road, whether in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with the young. You may take the young, but be sure to let the mother go, so that it may go well with you and you may have a long life." This commandment reflects a concern for the preservation of species and the humane treatment of animals, emphasizing the importance of compassion and sustainability.

2. Job 29:18 · Job uses the imagery of a nest to express his former sense of security and prosperity: "So I thought: ‘I will die in my nest and multiply my days as the sand.’" Here, the nest symbolizes a place of comfort and stability, which Job believed would last indefinitely.

Metaphorical Uses:

1. Psalm 84:3 · The psalmist observes the sparrow and the swallow finding a home near the altars of the Lord: "Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she places her young near Your altars, O LORD of Hosts, my King and my God." This imagery highlights the idea of finding refuge and peace in the presence of God, suggesting that even the smallest of creatures are cared for by the Almighty.

2. Isaiah 10:14 · The prophet Isaiah uses the imagery of a nest to describe the arrogance of Assyria: "My hand reached as far as the riches of the nations, as one reaches into a nest; as one gathers abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth. There was no wing that fluttered, no beak that opened or chirped." This metaphor illustrates the ease with which Assyria plundered other nations, likening it to taking eggs from an unguarded nest, and serves as a warning against pride and overconfidence.

3. Jeremiah 49:16 · In a prophecy against Edom, Jeremiah uses the nest to depict false security: "The terror you cause and the pride of your heart have deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks, O occupiers of the mountain heights. Though you build your nest as high as the eagle’s, from there I will bring you down, declares the LORD." This passage warns that no matter how secure one might feel, God’s judgment can reach even the most fortified places.

Symbolism and Themes:

Nests in the Bible often symbolize a place of safety and nurturing, reflecting God’s care for His creation. However, they can also represent false security when individuals or nations place their trust in their own strength rather than in God. The biblical use of nests serves as a reminder of the importance of humility, reliance on divine providence, and the moral responsibility to care for the world and its creatures.2682. kataskenosis -- a lodging
... Word Origin from kataskenoo Definition a lodging NASB Word Usage nests (2). nest.
From kataskenoo; an encamping, ie (figuratively) a perch -- nest. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2682.htm - 6k7077. qanan -- to make a nest
... Word Origin denominative verb from qen Definition to make a nest NASB Word Usage
build their nests (1), make its nest (1), nested (2), nests (1). make. ...
/hebrew/7077.htm - 6k

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke ix. 57, Etc. , Where the Case of ...
... "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man hath
not where to lay His Head." [3250] But where hath He not? In thy faith. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon l on the words.htm

John Chapter iv. Jan-42
... We see all kinds of sparrows building their nests before our eyes; we see swallows,
storks, doves, every day building their nests; but we do not know them to ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xv john chapter iv.htm

Sparrows and Altars
... 'When I think,' said he, 'upon the sparrows and swallows that build their nests
in the kirk of Anwoth, and of my dumb Sabbaths, my sorrowful, bleared eyes look ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/sparrows and altars.htm

How St Francis Tamed the Wild Doves
... I will save you from death, and make your nests, that you may increase and multiply,
according to the command of God." Then St Francis made nests for them all ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xxii how st francis.htm

Death and Growth
... In the vegetable world, spring and autumn are two different seasons: May rejoices
in green leaves and opening buds, and nests with their young broods; but ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/death and growth.htm

And So Unmindful and Forgetful of what the Substance and Origin of ...
... In this case, I say, do you not see that newts, shrews, mice, and cockroaches, which
shun the light, build their nests and live under the hollow parts of these ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/16 and so unmindful and.htm

Remaining and Falling Asleep
... If we build our nests amidst the tossing branches of the world's trees, they will
sway with every wind, and perhaps be blown from their hold altogether by such ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/remaining and falling asleep.htm

The Son of Man
... It is this name that He uses when He says: 'Foxes have holes and the birds of the
air have nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His head.' The use ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the son of man.htm

The First Stages. Ch. 9:51 to 13:21
... said unto him, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.58 And Jesus said unto
him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/a the first stages ch.htm

A Letter from a West Indian Cottage Ornee
... without Hands. That long black wasp, commonly called a Jack Spaniard, builds
pensile paper nests under every roof and shed. Watch ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter v a letter from.htm

Nests (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Nests (9 Occurrences). ... Psalms 104:17 where the birds
make their nests. The stork makes its home in the fir trees. ...
/n/nests.htm - 8k

Stork (6 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah alludes to this (Jeremiah 8:7). At the appointed time they return with
unerring sagacity to their old haunts, and re-occupy their old nests. ...
/s/stork.htm - 14k

Nest (22 Occurrences)
... and young. Nests differ with species. Eagles use ... the gods. Hebrew, Arab and
Egyptian guarded all nests on places of worship. Pagan Rome ...
/n/nest.htm - 18k

Nowhere (16 Occurrences)
... Matthew 8:20 Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky
have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." (WEB WEY BBE NAS ...
/n/nowhere.htm - 11k

Foxes (9 Occurrences)
... Matthew 8:20 Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky
have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." (WEB KJV WEY ASV ...
/f/foxes.htm - 9k

Cuckow (2 Occurrences)
... oo," or the single note "kowk" or "gouk." The bird is as old as history, and
interesting because the European species placed its eggs in the nests of other ...
/c/cuckow.htm - 8k

Cuckoo (2 Occurrences)
... oo," or the single note "kowk" or "gouk." The bird is as old as history, and
interesting because the European species placed its eggs in the nests of other ...
/c/cuckoo.htm - 9k

Holes (36 Occurrences)
... Matthew 8:20 Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky
have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." (WEB KJV WEY ASV ...
/h/holes.htm - 17k

Sky (278 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Matthew 8:20 Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the
sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." (WEB). ...
/s/sky.htm - 38k

Air (74 Occurrences)
... Matthew 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the
air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. ...
/a/air.htm - 34k

What does it mean that Jesus had nowhere to lay His head? | GotQuestions.org

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