Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ContextFlying, in the biblical context, often refers to the act of moving through the air, typically associated with birds, angels, or divine beings. The concept of flying is used both literally and metaphorically throughout the Scriptures to convey messages of swiftness, divine intervention, and spiritual transcendence.
Biblical References1.
Birds and Creation The Bible frequently mentions birds as part of God's creation, highlighting their ability to fly as a testament to God's creative power. In
Genesis 1:20, God commands, "Let the waters teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky." This passage underscores the natural order established by God, where flying creatures inhabit the skies.
2.
Angelic Beings Angels are often depicted as having the ability to fly, symbolizing their role as messengers of God. In
Isaiah 6:2, the prophet describes seraphim with six wings, two of which are used for flying: "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 imagery emphasizes the holiness and swiftness of these celestial beings.
3.
Divine Protection and Deliverance Flying is also used metaphorically to describe God's protection and deliverance. In
Exodus 19:4, God reminds the Israelites of His care: "You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself." Here, the imagery of flying on eagles' wings conveys strength, speed, and the nurturing care of God.
4.
Prophetic Visions The prophets often used the imagery of flying to convey visions and messages from God. In
Ezekiel 1:24, the prophet describes the sound of the wings of the living creatures as "like the roar of rushing waters, like the voice of the Almighty, like the tumult of an army." This powerful imagery underscores the majesty and authority of God's presence.
5.
Spiritual Renewal Flying is also a metaphor for spiritual renewal and strength.
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." This verse encourages believers to trust in God for renewed strength and vitality, likening their spiritual ascent to the flight of an eagle.
Theological ImplicationsThe concept of flying in the Bible often signifies divine intervention, protection, and the transcendence of earthly limitations. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the spiritual elevation available to believers through faith. The imagery of flying, whether through the natural world or in the realm of the divine, points to the majesty and power of God, as well as the hope and renewal found in His presence.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Fly.
2. (v. i.) Moving in the air with, or as with, wings; moving lightly or rapidly; intended for rapid movement.
Greek
4072. petomai -- to fly... Definition: I fly. Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to fly NASB Word
Usage fly (2),
flying (3).
flying. Or prolongation petaomai
...4071. peteinon -- winged
... bird, fowl. Neuter of a derivative of petomai; aflying animal, ie Bird --
bird, fowl. see GREEK petomai. (peteina) -- 11 Occurrences....
Strong's Hebrew
5775. oph --flying creatures... 5774b, 5775. oph. 5776 .
flying creatures. Transliteration: oph Phonetic Spelling:
(ofe) Short Definition: birds.
... bird, that flieth,
flying, fowl.
...5774a. uph -- to fly
... 5774, 5774a. uph. 5774b . to fly. Transliteration: uph Short Definition:
flying. Word Origin a prim. root Definition to fly NASB...
3671. kanaph -- wing, extremity
... wingspan (1). bird, border, corner, end, feathered,flying, one another,
overspreading,. From kanaph; an edge or extremity; specifically...
5133. notsah -- plumage
... Or notsah {no-tsaw'}; feminine active participle of natsah in the sense offlying;
a pinion (or wing feather); often (collectively) plumage -- feather(-s...
Library
Wake, Awake, for Night isFlying
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Advent 62. Wake, awake, for night isflying. PM [229]Sleepers,
Wake:... Tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1858. Wake, awake, for night isflying:...
Concerning Reptiles andFlying Creatures (Ver. 20), --The...
... Book XIII. Chapter XX."Concerning Reptiles andFlying Creatures (Ver.
20),"The Sacrament of Baptism Being Regarded. 26. Let...
Why God Has Blessed Men, Fishes,Flying Creatures, and not Herbs...
... Book XIII. Chapter XXIV."Why God Has Blessed Men, Fishes,Flying Creatures,
and Not Herbs and the Other Animals (Ver. 28). 35....
Isaiah was Sent by the Spirit, and Accordingly the Same Spirit was...
... about Him, each one had six wings, and with two they were covering His face, and
with two they were covering His feet, and with two they wereflying; and they...
Three Pictures of one Reality
... 'As birdsflying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also He
will deliver it; and passing over He will preserve it'"Isaiah 31:5....
The Word Success Can of Course be Used in Two Senses. ...
... It is one thing to say that Smith'sflying machine is a failure, and quite another
to say that Smith has failed to make aflying machine....
The Manich??an Fictions About Things Good and Evil are not...
... of fire, another of smoke; to the animals born in each of these elements,"serpents
in the darkness, swimming creatures in the waters,flying creatures in the...
Of the Figures and Limbs of Animals.
... is also a third class, in which those former limbs are neither feet nor hands; but
wings, which, having feathers arranged in order, supply the use offlying....
Now Suppose that While You were Writing This, as You Tell us You...
... it, you will then stir up against him as you complain that they now do by your letters
of admonition, your vehement attestations, and satellitesflying in all...
From the Fourth Chapter.
... living creature was like to a lion, and the second was like to a calf, and the third
had a face like to a man, and the fourth was like to aflying eagle; and...
Thesaurus
Flying (22 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Flying (22 Occurrences).
... Revelation 8:13 I saw, and I heard
an eagle,
flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe! Woe!
...Teeming (18 Occurrences)
... NAS). Leviticus 11:20 Every teeming creature which isflying, which is going
on four -- an abomination it 'is' to you. (YLT). Leviticus...
Wing (18 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Any similar member or instrument used for the purpose offlying.... 4.
(n.) One of the large pectoral fins of theflying fishes....
Flight (325 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act orflying; a passing through the air
by the help of wings; volitation; mode or style offlying....
Midair (4 Occurrences)
... Revelation 8:13 And I saw, and I heard one messenger,flying in the mid-heaven,
saying with a great voice, 'Wo, wo, wo, to those dwelling upon the land from...
Midheaven (3 Occurrences)
... Revelation 8:13 And I saw, and I heard one messenger,flying in the mid-heaven,
saying with a great voice, 'Wo, wo, wo, to those dwelling upon the land from...
Eagle (27 Occurrences)
... The young ones still and slowly followed, apparentlyflying better as they mounted;
and they continued this sublime exercise, always rising till they became...
Viper (8 Occurrences)
... all of thee, because the rod that smote thee is broken; for out of the serpent's
root shall come forth a viper, and his fruit shall be a fieryflying serpent....
Flitting (1 Occurrence)
... & vb. n.) of Flit. 2. (n.) Aflying with lightness and celerity; a fluttering. 3.
(n.) A removal from one habitation to another. Multi-Version Concordance...
Mid (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Mid (3 Occurrences). Revelation 8:13 I saw, and I heard
an eagle,flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe! Woe!...
Resources
How is belief in God any different from Flying Spaghetti Monsterism? | GotQuestions.orgHow is Intelligent Design any different from belief in a Flying Spaghetti Monster? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the everlasting gospel in Revelation 14:6? | GotQuestions.orgFlying: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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