Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical contexts, the term "hatch" is not directly referenced in the Scriptures as a specific word or concept. However, the idea of hatching, particularly in relation to birds and eggs, can be inferred from various passages that discuss birds, nests, and the natural processes of life. The imagery of birds and their behaviors often serves as a metaphor for divine care, protection, and the unfolding of God's creation.
Biblical Imagery and Symbolism1.
Birds and Nests: The Bible frequently uses the imagery of birds and their nests to convey messages of safety, provision, and divine oversight. For instance, in
Psalm 84:3 , it is written, "Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she places her young near Your altars, O LORD of Hosts, my King and my God." This verse highlights the idea of a nest as a place of security and nurturing, akin to the protective nature of God's presence.
2.
Divine Care: The process of hatching, though not explicitly mentioned, can be associated with the broader theme of God's care for His creation. In
Matthew 6:26 , Jesus teaches, "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?" This passage underscores the providence of God, who ensures the sustenance and survival of even the smallest creatures.
3.
Metaphorical Use: While the act of hatching itself is not detailed, the concept can be metaphorically linked to themes of new beginnings and the unfolding of God's plans.
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." The renewal and strength symbolized by the eagle's wings can be seen as a spiritual hatching, where believers emerge into new life and vigor through faith.
Theological ReflectionsFrom a theological perspective, the notion of hatching can be viewed as part of the divine order established by God in creation. The intricate processes of life, including the birth and growth of creatures, reflect the wisdom and sovereignty of the Creator. In
Genesis 1:20-22 , God commands the waters to teem with living creatures and the birds to fly above the earth, blessing them to be fruitful and multiply. This divine command encompasses the entire life cycle, including the hatching of eggs as a natural and ordained part of creation.
Practical ApplicationsFor believers, the concept of hatching can serve as a reminder of God's continuous work in their lives. Just as a bird hatches from an egg, emerging into a new phase of existence, Christians are called to experience spiritual rebirth and growth. This transformation is central to the Christian faith, as expressed in
2 Corinthians 5:17 : "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!"
In summary, while the specific term "hatch" is not found in the Bible, the themes and imagery associated with it are woven throughout Scripture, illustrating God's care, the beauty of creation, and the promise of new beginnings for those who trust in Him.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To cross with lines in a peculiar manner in drawing and engraving. See Hatching.
2. (v. t.) To cross; to spot; to stain; to steep.
3. (v. t.) To produce, as young, from an egg or eggs by incubation, or by artificial heat; to produce young from (eggs); as, the young when hatched.
4. (v. t.) To contrive or plot; to form by meditation, and bring into being; to originate and produce; to concoct; as, to hatch mischief; to hatch heresy.
5. (v. i.) To produce young; -- said of eggs; to come forth from the egg; -- said of the young of birds, fishes, insects, etc.
6. (n.) The act of hatching.
7. (n.) Development; disclosure; discovery.
8. (n.) The chickens produced at once or by one incubation; a brood.
9. (n.) A door with an opening over it; a half door, sometimes set with spikes on the upper edge.
10. (n.) A frame or weir in a river, for catching fish.
11. (n.) A flood gate; a sluice gate.
12. (n.) A bedstead.
13. (n.) An opening in the deck of a vessel or floor of a warehouse which serves as a passageway or hoistway; a hatchway; also; a cover or door, or one of the covers used in closing such an opening.
14. (n.) An opening into, or in search of, a mine.
15. (v. t.) To close with a hatch or hatches.
Strong's Hebrew
1234. baqa -- to cleave, break open or through... open (1), broke through (2), broken (3), burst (2), burst open (1), cleaved (1),
dashed to pieces (1), divide (1), divided (4), forth (1),
hatch (2), hews (1
...3205. yalad -- to bear, bring forth, beget
... day)), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come,
be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender,hatch, labour, (do the...
Library
Hatch
...Hatch.Hatch, Edwin, a Church of England clergyman, was born at Derby September
4, 1835. He graduated at Oxford in 1857. After spending...
Preface
... gratitude. The Concordance to the Septuagint, edited by Dr.Hatch and Dr.
Redpath, is a magnificent work worthy of a university press....
Presbyters or Bishops. The Angels of the Seven Churches. James of...
... Apost. Op. p. 5;Hatch, lc, 37 sqq., andHatch, art. "Priest" in Smith and Cheetham,
II. 1698 sqq.... [717] SeeHatch, Organiz. Lect. II. and IV., and his art....
Letter H
... Haskins, John "Received 1810, Located 1813 * Haskins, Thomas "Received 1782, Located
1786 * Haslam, John "Received 1833 *Hatch, Alvord "Received 1836...
Narrative Concerning John the Apostle.
... bishops are very early, and are adduced not merely by prelatists, but by such
disinterested scholars as Harnack (in his translation ofHatch's Organization of...
Hymn Writers of the Church
... Greg. Grigg. Gurney. Gustavus Adolphus. Guyon. Hall. Hammond. Hankey. Hart. Hastings.
Hatch. Hatfield. Havergal. Haweis. Hawker. Hawks. Hay. Hayward. Hearn. Heath...
Isaiah's Discourse
... There shall the arrowsnake make her nest, and lay, andhatch, and gather under her
shadow: yea, there shall the kites be gathered, every one with her mate....
The Mistakes of Christ's Foes and Friends
... If like produces like, Christ cannot be explained by anything but the admission
of His divine nature. Serpents' eggs do nothatch out into doves....
How St Francis Tamed the Wild Doves
... you may increase and multiply, according to the command of God." Then St Francis
made nests for them all, and they began to lay their eggs andhatch them in...
Flimsy Garments
... He has been pouring out swift, indignant denunciation on the evil-doers in Israel;
and, says he, 'theyhatch cockatrice's eggs and spin spiders' webs,' pointing...
Thesaurus
Conversation (30 Occurrences)... It is the common Hebrew idea of conduct, possibly due, as
Hatch thinks, to the fact
that in Syria intercourse between village and village was so much on foot
...Egg (3 Occurrences)
... will he give him a scorpion?" The reference in Isaiah 59:5 is to the egg of a serpent,
and is figurative of the schemes of evil men: "Theyhatch adders' eggs...
Spider (3 Occurrences)
... confidence shall break in sunder, and whose trust is a spider's web." Frailty or
futility seems to be indicated also in Isaiah 59:5, 6: "Theyhatch adders' eggs...
Brood (19 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The young birds hatched at one time;
ahatch; as, a brood of chickens. 2. (n.) The young from...
Partridge (2 Occurrences)
... meaning that the covetous man will be as surely disappointed as the partridge which
gathers in eggs, not of her own laying, and is unable tohatch them; others...
Mystery (31 Occurrences)
...Hatch maintains that the analogy here is that of an oriental king's secrets, known
only to himself and his trusted friends (Essays in Biblical Greek, 58); but...
Messenger (235 Occurrences)
... day.Hatch in 1889 (Essays in Biblical Greek, 34) held that with most
of the New Testament words the key lay in the Septuagint....
Hatch (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To contrive or plot; to form by meditation, and bring into being; to originate
and produce; to concoct; as, tohatch mischief; tohatch heresy....
Serpent (40 Occurrences)
... Version "arrowsnake," the King James Version "great owl," only in Isaiah 34:15,
"There shall the dart-snake make her nest, and lay, andhatch, and gather under...
Paul (207 Occurrences)
... One can turn easily from theHatch-Van Manen article on "Paul" in Encyclopedia Biblica
(1902) to the Maclean article on "Paul the Apostle" in the 1-vol HDB...
Resources
Is there any special meaning/symbolism to owls in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about snakes? Are snakes evil? | GotQuestions.orgHatch: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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