Topical Encyclopedia In the Bible, the imagery of wings is rich and multifaceted, symbolizing protection, speed, and divine presence. Wings are often associated with God, angels, and certain creatures, conveying a sense of shelter, swiftness, and transcendence.Divine Protection and Shelter One of the most profound uses of wings in Scripture is to depict God's protective care over His people. In Psalm 91:4, it is written, "He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart." This imagery evokes the picture of a mother bird sheltering her young, emphasizing God's nurturing and safeguarding nature. Similarly, in Ruth 2:12, Boaz blesses Ruth, saying, "May the LORD repay your work, and may you receive a rich reward from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have taken refuge." Angelic Beings and Divine Messengers Wings are also a characteristic feature of angelic beings, particularly in prophetic and apocalyptic literature. In Isaiah 6:2, the seraphim are described as having six wings: "Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: with two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying." This description highlights the reverence and readiness of these celestial beings to serve God. Similarly, in Ezekiel 1:6, the living creatures, often identified as cherubim, are described as having four wings, symbolizing their role as divine attendants and messengers. Speed and Swiftness Wings also symbolize speed and the ability to swiftly carry out God's will. In the vision of Daniel 7:4, the first beast is described as having "wings like those of an eagle," indicating its swift and powerful nature. Eagles, known for their speed and strength, are often used metaphorically to describe God's ability to swiftly deliver and uplift His people. Isaiah 40:31 states, "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." Divine Presence and Glory The Ark of the Covenant, a central symbol of God's presence among His people, was adorned with cherubim whose wings overshadowed the mercy seat. In Exodus 25:20, it is instructed, "The cherubim are to have wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the mercy seat." This imagery signifies the holiness and majesty of God's presence, as well as His readiness to meet with His people. Judgment and Deliverance Wings can also symbolize both judgment and deliverance. In Revelation 12:14, the woman is given "the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness," symbolizing God's provision and deliverance from persecution. Conversely, in Deuteronomy 28:49, the LORD warns of judgment through a nation that "swoops down like an eagle," indicating the swiftness and inevitability of divine retribution. In summary, the biblical motif of wings encompasses a range of meanings, from divine protection and presence to speed and judgment, reflecting the multifaceted nature of God's interaction with His creation. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia WINGSwingz (kanaph; pterux): Biblical references to the wings of birds are common, especially in Psalms, many of them exquisitely poetical. Often the wings of an eagle are mentioned because they are from 7 to 9 feet in sweep, of untiring flight, and have strength to carry heavy burdens: so they became the symbol of strength and endurance. Ancient monuments and obelisks are covered with the heads of bulls, lions, different animals, and men even, to which the wings of an eagle were added to symbolize strength. Sometimes the wings of a stork are used to portray strong flight, as in the vision of Zechariah: "Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there came forth two women, and the wind was in their wings; now they had wings like the wings of a stork; and they lifted up the ephah between earth and heaven" (5:9). The wings of a dove symbolized love. Wings in the abstract typified shelter, strength or speed, as a rule, while in some instances their use was ingenious and extremely poetical, as when Job records that the Almighty used wings to indicate migration: "And stretcheth her wings toward the south" (39:26). In Psalm 17:8 there is a wonderful poetical imagery in the plea, "Hide me under the shadow of thy wings." In Psalm 18:10 there is a reference to "the wings of the wind." And in 55:6 the Psalmist cries, "Oh that I had wings like a dove!" The brightness and peace of prosperous times are beautifully described in Psalm 68:13, the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her pinions with pale green gold.' The first rays of dawn are compared to "the wings of the morning" (139:9). Solomon was thinking of the swiftness of wings when he said, "For riches' certainly make themselves wings, like an eagle that flieth toward heaven" (Proverbs 23:5). So also was Isaiah in 40:31, "They that wait for Yahweh shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint." In Malachi 4:2 the King James Version, there is a beautiful reference, "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings." the Revised Version (British and American) changes "his" to "its." Wings as an emblem of love were used by Jesus in the cry, "O Jerusalem.... how often would I have gathered thy children.... as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings" (Matthew 23:37). MORNING, WINGS OF See ASTRONOMY, sec. I, 4. Greek 4420. pterux -- a wing ... wing, pinion. Word Origin from pteron (feather, bird's wing); from petomai Definition a wing NASB Word Usage wings (5). wing. From ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4420.htm - 6k Strong's Hebrew 6731a. tsits -- perhaps wings... perhaps wings. Transliteration: tsits Short Definition: wings. Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition perhaps wings NASB Word Usage wings (1). ... /hebrew/6731a.htm - 5k 4754. mara -- perhaps to flap (the wings) 4473. mimshach -- perhaps expanded or far-reaching wings 6731. tsiyts -- perhaps wings 3671. kanaph -- wing, extremity 83. eber -- pinions 1611. gaph -- wing (of a bird) 5775. oph -- flying creatures 102. agaph -- a band, army 6524. parach -- to bud, sprout, shoot Library Fledging the Wings. A Seraph's Wings Borne on the Wings of Light, The Shadow of his Wings Borne on the Wings of Light, January the Thirty-First under his Wings What Men Find Beneath the Wings of God O that I had Wings Like a Dove April 18. "They Shall Mount up with Wings" (Isa. Xl. 31). Under his Wings. 8S. Thesaurus Wings (81 Occurrences)...WINGS. wingz (kanaph; pterux): Biblical references to the wings of birds are common, especially in Psalms, many of them exquisitely poetical. ... /w/wings.htm - 34k Feathers (9 Occurrences) Wing (18 Occurrences) Outstretched (40 Occurrences) Stork (6 Occurrences) Cherubs (52 Occurrences) Cherub (21 Occurrences) Flieth (12 Occurrences) Pinions (5 Occurrences) Pinion (4 Occurrences) Resources What does it mean to mount up with wings like eagles? | GotQuestions.orgDo angels have wings? | GotQuestions.org How can Christian parents deal with empty-nest syndrome? | GotQuestions.org Wings: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Wings (81 Occurrences)Matthew 23:37 Luke 13:34 Hebrews 9:5 Revelation 4:8 Revelation 9:9 Revelation 12:14 Genesis 7:14 Exodus 19:4 Exodus 25:20 Exodus 37:9 Leviticus 1:17 Deuteronomy 14:9 Deuteronomy 14:10 Deuteronomy 14:19 Deuteronomy 32:11 Deuteronomy 33:3 Ruth 2:12 2 Samuel 22:11 1 Kings 6:5 1 Kings 6:24 1 Kings 6:27 1 Kings 8:6 1 Kings 8:7 1 Chronicles 28:18 2 Chronicles 3:11 2 Chronicles 3:12 2 Chronicles 3:13 2 Chronicles 5:7 2 Chronicles 5:8 Job 30:22 Job 39:13 Job 39:18 Job 39:26 Psalms 17:8 Psalms 18:10 Psalms 36:7 Psalms 55:6 Psalms 57:1 Psalms 61:4 Psalms 63:7 Psalms 68:13 Psalms 91:1 Psalms 91:4 Psalms 104:3 Psalms 139:9 Proverbs 1:17 Proverbs 23:5 Ecclesiastes 10:20 Isaiah 6:2 Isaiah 8:8 Isaiah 11:12 Isaiah 18:1 Isaiah 31:5 Isaiah 34:15 Isaiah 40:31 Jeremiah 48:9 Jeremiah 48:40 Jeremiah 49:22 Ezekiel 1:6 Ezekiel 1:8 Ezekiel 1:9 Ezekiel 1:11 Ezekiel 1:23 Ezekiel 1:24 Ezekiel 1:25 Ezekiel 3:13 Ezekiel 10:5 Ezekiel 10:8 Ezekiel 10:12 Ezekiel 10:16 Ezekiel 10:19 Ezekiel 10:21 Ezekiel 11:22 Ezekiel 17:3 Ezekiel 17:7 Daniel 7:4 Daniel 7:6 Hosea 4:19 Nahum 3:16 Zechariah 5:9 Malachi 4:2 Subtopics Related Terms |
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