The ostrich, a large flightless bird native to Africa, is mentioned in several passages of the Bible, often symbolizing certain characteristics or serving as a metaphor for specific behaviors. The ostrich is notable for its unique physical attributes, particularly its wings and feathers, which are referenced in the Scriptures.

Biblical References:

1. Job 39:13-18 : In this passage, God speaks to Job about the wonders of creation, highlighting the ostrich as an example of His divine wisdom. The ostrich is described as having wings that "flap joyously," yet it is noted for its lack of wisdom in caring for its young. The passage reads: "The wings of the ostrich flap joyously, but cannot compare with the pinions and feathers of the stork. For she leaves her eggs on the ground and lets them warm in the sand, unmindful that a foot may crush them, or a wild animal may trample them. She treats her young harshly, as if they were not her own, with no concern that her labor was in vain. For God has deprived her of wisdom; He has not endowed her with understanding. Yet when she proudly spreads her wings, she laughs at the horse and its rider."

This description emphasizes the ostrich's physical beauty and strength, particularly its wings, while contrasting these attributes with its perceived lack of maternal instinct and wisdom. The passage serves to illustrate the diversity of God's creation, where even creatures with apparent deficiencies have their place and purpose.

2. Lamentations 4:3 : The ostrich is used metaphorically to describe the behavior of the people of Jerusalem during the Babylonian siege. The verse states: "Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but the daughter of my people has become cruel, like ostriches in the wilderness." Here, the ostrich symbolizes neglect and cruelty, as it was believed to abandon its eggs and young, a behavior that is used to criticize the people’s lack of compassion during times of distress.

3. Isaiah 13:21 and Isaiah 34:13 : In these prophetic passages, the ostrich is mentioned as a creature that inhabits desolate and abandoned places. Isaiah 13:21 states: "But desert creatures will lie there, and their houses will be full of owls; ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about." Similarly, Isaiah 34:13 describes the desolation of Edom: "Thorns will overgrow her citadels, nettles and brambles her fortresses. She will become a haunt for jackals, a dwelling for ostriches." In these contexts, the ostrich is associated with desolation and abandonment, reinforcing the theme of divine judgment and the consequences of sin.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In biblical literature, the ostrich serves as a symbol of both the marvels and the mysteries of God's creation. Its impressive wings and feathers are a testament to the Creator's artistry, yet its behavior is used to convey moral and spiritual lessons. The ostrich's perceived lack of wisdom and maternal care is contrasted with its physical attributes, illustrating the complexity and diversity of life.

From a theological perspective, the ostrich's portrayal in Scripture underscores the sovereignty of God in creation. It reminds believers of the limitations of human understanding and the need to trust in God's wisdom and purpose, even when aspects of creation seem perplexing or contradictory. The ostrich, with its unique characteristics, invites reflection on the balance between beauty and folly, strength and vulnerability, within the divine order.Job 39:13
Gave you the goodly wings to the peacocks? or wings and feathers to the ostrich?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

A Letter from a West Indian Cottage Ornee
... almost stemless, rising in a huge ostrich plume which ... no prehensile tails; for they
are cats, furnished with those ... because, when it extends its wings, which it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter v a letter from.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... a double pair of horns, and sometimes surmounted by a sort of diadem of feathers
and mysterious ... The details of colour and ornamentation, not furnished by the ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... forming together a vari-coloured vegetation which gives shelter to the ostrich and
the ... Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a photograph furnished by Marcel Dieulafoy. ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

The Memphite Empire
... All the details relating to the Isis of the Sphinx are furnished by a ... A sparrow-hawk
perched on the back of his seat covers his head with its wings"an image ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm

Ostrich: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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