Topical Encyclopedia In the Bible, birds are often referred to as "winged fowl" and are mentioned frequently throughout the scriptures. They are part of God's creation and serve various symbolic and practical purposes within the biblical narrative.Creation and Classification Birds are first introduced in the creation account in Genesis. On the fifth day, God created the creatures of the sea and the birds of the air. Genesis 1:20-21 states, "And God said, 'Let the waters teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.' So God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters teemed, according to their kinds, and every bird of flight according to its kind. And God saw that it was good." Symbolism and Significance Birds hold significant symbolic meaning in the Bible. They are often used to illustrate spiritual truths and divine care. For instance, in Matthew 6:26 , Jesus uses birds to teach about God's provision: "Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" The dove is a particularly important bird in biblical symbolism. It represents peace, the Holy Spirit, and God's presence. In Genesis 8:11 , a dove brings back an olive leaf to Noah, signaling the end of the flood: "And behold, the dove returned to him in the evening with a freshly plucked olive leaf in its beak. So Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth." Dietary Laws and Sacrifices In the Mosaic Law, certain birds were deemed clean or unclean, affecting their suitability for consumption and sacrifice. Leviticus 11:13-19 lists unclean birds, including the eagle, vulture, and raven, among others. Clean birds, such as turtledoves and pigeons, were acceptable for sacrifices, as seen in Leviticus 1:14 : "If, however, one’s offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, he is to present a turtledove or a young pigeon." Metaphorical Uses Birds are also used metaphorically to convey various messages. In Isaiah 40:31 , those who trust in the Lord are compared to eagles: "But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint." Judgment and Prophecy Birds are sometimes associated with judgment and prophecy. In Revelation 19:17-18 , birds are called to feast on the flesh of the defeated enemies of God: "Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice to all the birds flying overhead, 'Come, gather together for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, commanders, mighty men, horses and riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great.'" Conclusion Throughout the Bible, birds serve as reminders of God's creative power, His provision, and His sovereignty over all creation. They are woven into the fabric of biblical teaching, illustrating spiritual truths and divine principles. Torrey's Topical Textbook Deuteronomy 4:17The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flies in the air, Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Creation of Fowl and Water Animals. A Letter from a West Indian Cottage Ornee Mosaic Cosmogony. Chapter i Book Twelve the Mode of Creation and the Truth of Scripture. ... The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea Answer to Eunomius' Second Book . Resources Is there any special meaning/symbolism to owls in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is theistic evolution? | GotQuestions.org How did Noah fit all the animals on the Ark? | GotQuestions.org Birds: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Birds are Hostile to Strange Kinds Birds of Cruel and Rapacious Kings Birds of People of Different Countries Birds of the Devil and his Spirits Birds: (Snaring) Designs of the Wicked Birds: Called: Birds of the Air Birds: Called: Fowls of Heaven Birds: Called: Fowls of the Air Birds: Clean: Offered in Sacrifice Birds: Confinement of, in Cages Alluded To Birds: Created for the Glory of God Birds: Creation of, on the Fifth Creative Day Birds: Differ in Flesh from Beasts and Fishes Birds: Early Distinguished Into Clean and Clean Birds: Have Each Their Peculiar Note or Song Birds: Herb of the Field Given As Food To Birds: Inhabit: Deserted Cities Birds: Instinct of, Inferior to Man's Reason Birds: Lessons of Wisdom to be Learned From Birds: Make Their Nests in Clefts of Rocks Birds: Make Their Nests in Deserted Cities Birds: Make Their Nests in Trees Birds: Make Their Nests: On the Ground Birds: Make Their Nests: Under the Roofs of Houses Birds: Make, and Dwell in Nests Birds: Many Kinds of, Carnivorous Birds: Many Kinds of, Graniverous Birds: Many Kinds of, Migratory Birds: Moses' Law Protected the Mother from Being Taken With the Young Birds: Names Given To, by Adam Birds: No Likeness of, to be Made for Worship Birds: Not to be Eaten With Their Young Birds: Often Remove from Places Suffering Calamities Birds: Often Suffered for Man's Sin Birds: Often Worshipped by Idolaters Birds: Power Over Given to Man Birds: Rapid Flight of, Alluded To Birds: Solomon Wrote the History of Birds: Songs of, at the Break of Day Birds: Taken in Snares or Nets Birds: The Blood of, not to be Eaten Birds: Unclean: Not to be Eaten Birds: What Species Were Unclean Related Terms |
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