In biblical literature, the concept of "swooping" is often associated with the imagery of birds of prey, particularly eagles, and is used metaphorically to describe sudden and powerful actions, often of divine origin or judgment. The term "swooping" conveys a sense of speed, decisiveness, and overwhelming force.

Biblical References:

1. Deuteronomy 28:49 · "The LORD will bring a nation against you from afar, from the ends of the earth, like an eagle swooping down, a nation whose language you will not understand." In this passage, the imagery of an eagle swooping down is used to describe the swiftness and inevitability of the coming judgment upon Israel due to their disobedience. The eagle, a bird known for its keen sight and powerful flight, symbolizes the unstoppable nature of the invading nation.

2. Habakkuk 1:8 · "Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves at dusk. Their horsemen charge ahead; their horsemen come from afar. They fly like an eagle swooping down to devour." Here, the prophet Habakkuk describes the Chaldeans, a fierce and swift army, using the metaphor of an eagle swooping down. This imagery emphasizes the rapid and destructive nature of their conquest.

3. Jeremiah 48:40 · "For this is what the LORD says: 'Look! An eagle is swooping down, spreading its wings over Moab.'" In this context, the swooping eagle represents the impending judgment and destruction that will come upon Moab. The spreading of wings signifies the encompassing and inescapable nature of this divine intervention.

Theological Implications:

The use of "swooping" in these contexts underscores the themes of divine judgment and sovereignty. The imagery of an eagle, a creature of majesty and power, reflects the authority and might of God as He executes judgment upon nations. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the certainty of divine justice.

Symbolism and Metaphor:

In biblical symbolism, the eagle is often associated with strength, vision, and swiftness. The act of swooping is a demonstration of these attributes, capturing the sudden and overwhelming nature of God's actions. This metaphor is not only a depiction of judgment but also serves as a call to repentance, urging the people to turn back to God before the inevitable judgment descends.

Application in Christian Life:

For believers, the imagery of swooping can serve as a powerful reminder of God's omnipotence and the importance of living in obedience to His commands. It encourages vigilance and readiness, as the suddenness of God's actions calls for a life of constant faithfulness and preparedness. The metaphor also offers comfort, as it reassures believers of God's ultimate control over the affairs of nations and individuals alike.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Swoop.5842. et -- a stylus
... pen. From iyt (contracted) in the sense of swooping, ie Side-long stroke; a stylus
or marking stick -- pen. see HEBREW iyt. 5841, 5842. et. 5843 . ...
/hebrew/5842.htm - 6k

2363a. chush -- to hasten, make haste
... Word Usage agitation (1), disturbed (1), hasten (8), hastened (2), hastening (1),
hurried (1), make haste (2), quick (1), ready (1), speedy (1), swooping (1). ...
/hebrew/2363a.htm - 5k

The Mango-Tree
... All things, save I, are full of life: The minas, pluming velvet breasts; The monkeys,
in their foolish strife; The swooping hawks, the swinging nests; ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the mango-tree.htm

Juventus Mundi
... pain, and heat, and thirst, Over her the poor boy lay, Tried to keep the blows away,
Till they stiffened into clay, And the ruffian rode away: Swooping o'er ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/juventus mundi.htm

Peter's Deliverance from Prison
... it all"'He sent from above, He took me, He drew me out of many waters.' The whole
energy of the divine nature is set in motion and comes swooping down from ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture the acts/peters deliverance from prison.htm

Three Pictures of one Reality
... Can you not almost see the mother-bird, made bold by maternal love, swooping down
upon the intruder that sought to rob the nest, and spreading her broad pinion ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/three pictures of one reality.htm

John Chapter xiii. 21
... bring those Jews to whom he was to betray the Lord, that He was troubled by the
imminency of His passion, the closeness of the danger, and the swooping hand of ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lx john chapter xiii.htm

God's Attribute of Goodness Considered as Rational Marcion's God ...
... Now, no other than this is the character of Marcion's god, swooping upon an alien
world, snatching away man from his God, [2613] the son from his father, the ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxiii gods attribute of goodness.htm

The Sower.
... for a moment by the presence of the man, hover in the air till his back is turned
on another tack, and then, each eager to be first, come swooping down, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/i the sower.htm

The Carrion and the Vultures
... Another swooping down of the vultures flashed from the blue heavens, and
the carrion was torn to fragments by their strong beaks. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the carrion and the vultures.htm

Saul Rejected
... Samuel, in verse 19, puts the two sides of this 'evil in the sight of the Lord'
as being disobedience and swooping down on the booty, like some bird of prey,. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/saul rejected.htm

Chapter x
... KW) that overran the eastern end of the Mediterranean and even Egypt in the twelfth
century BC In fact, successive waves of these nations swooping down from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter x.htm

Swooping (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Swoop. Multi-Version Concordance
Swooping (4 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 28:49 The LORD ...
/s/swooping.htm - 7k

Swoops (2 Occurrences)

/s/swoops.htm - 6k

Swoopeth (2 Occurrences)

/s/swoopeth.htm - 6k

Swoop (5 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To pass with pomp; to sweep. 5. (n.) A falling on and seizing, as the prey
of a rapacious bird; the act of swooping. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/s/swoop.htm - 8k

Swooping: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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