Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "wing" is used both literally and metaphorically, appearing in various contexts throughout the Scriptures. The Hebrew word for wing is "kanaph," and the Greek equivalent is "pteryx." Wings are often associated with protection, speed, and divine presence.
Literal UsageIn a literal sense, wings are mentioned in relation to birds and other creatures. For example, in
Genesis 1:21 , God creates "every winged bird according to its kind." The wings of birds are a testament to God's creative power and the diversity of life He has established on earth.
Metaphorical Usage1.
Divine Protection and Refuge: Wings are frequently used as a metaphor for God's protection and care. 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 conveys the safety and security found in God's presence, much like a mother bird sheltering her young under her wings.
2.
Healing and Restoration: The concept of wings is also associated with healing.
Malachi 4:2 states, "But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings." Here, wings symbolize the restorative power of God, bringing healing and renewal to those who revere Him.
3.
Divine Presence and Majesty: Wings are used to describe the majesty and presence of God, particularly in visions and prophetic literature. In
Isaiah 6:2 , the seraphim are described as having six wings: "With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying." This depiction emphasizes the holiness and glory of God, as well as the reverence shown by the heavenly beings in His presence.
4.
Judgment and Deliverance: Wings can also symbolize swiftness in the context of judgment or deliverance. In
Ezekiel 10:5 , the sound of the cherubim's wings is likened to "the voice of God Almighty when He speaks," indicating the power and immediacy of God's actions.
Symbolism in the New TestamentIn the New Testament, wings continue to carry symbolic meaning. 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 divine deliverance and protection during times of persecution.
Cultural and Theological SignificanceThe imagery of wings in the Bible reflects a deep cultural understanding of protection, speed, and divine intervention. Wings are a powerful symbol of God's care and sovereignty, illustrating His ability to shelter, heal, and deliver His people. The consistent use of this imagery throughout Scripture underscores the enduring nature of God's promises and His active role in the lives of believers.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) One of the two anterior limbs of a bird, pterodactyl, or bat. They correspond to the arms of man, and are usually modified for flight, but in the case of a few species of birds, as the ostrich, auk, etc., the wings are used only as an assistance in running or swimming.
2. (n.) Any similar member or instrument used for the purpose of flying.
3. (n.) One of the two pairs of upper thoracic appendages of most hexapod insects. They are broad, fanlike organs formed of a double membrane and strengthened by chitinous veins or nervures.
4. (n.) One of the large pectoral fins of the flying fishes.
5. (n.) Passage by flying; flight; as, to take wing.
6. (n.) Motive or instrument of flight; means of flight or of rapid motion.
7. (n.) Anything which agitates the air as a wing does, or which is put in wing-like motion by the action of the air, as a fan or vane for winnowing grain, the vane or sail of a windmill, etc.
8. (n.) An ornament worn on the shoulder; a small epaulet or shoulder knot.
9. (n.) Any appendage resembling the wing of a bird or insect in shape or appearance.
10. (n.) One of the broad, thin, anterior lobes of the foot of a pteropod, used as an organ in swimming.
11. (n.) Any membranaceous expansion, as that along the sides of certain stems, or of a fruit of the kind called samara.
12. (n.) Either of the two side petals of a papilionaceous flower.
13. (n.) One of two corresponding appendages attached; a sidepiece.
14. (n.) A side building, less than the main edifice; as, one of the wings of a palace.
15. (n.) The longer side of crown works, etc., connecting them with the main work.
16. (n.) A side shoot of a tree or plant; a branch growing up by the side of another.
17. (n.) The right or left division of an army, regiment, etc.
18. (n.) That part of the hold or orlop of a vessel which is nearest the sides. In a fleet, one of the extremities when the ships are drawn up in line, or when forming the two sides of a triangle.
19. (n.) One of the sides of the stags in a theater.
20. (v. t.) To furnish with wings; to enable to fly, or to move with celerity.
21. (v. t.) To supply with wings or sidepieces.
22. (v. t.) To transport by flight; to cause to fly.
23. (v. t.) To move through in flight; to fly through.
24. (v. t.) To cut off the wings of; to wound in the wing; to disable a wing of; as, to wing a bird.
Greek
4420. pterux -- awing... a
wing. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: pterux Phonetic Spelling:
(pter'-oox) Short Definition: a
wing Definition: a
wing, pinion.
...4419. pterugion -- a littlewing, hence (anything like awing) a...
... a littlewing, hence (anything like awing) a battlement. Part of Speech: Noun,
Neuter Transliteration: pterugion Phonetic Spelling: (pter-oog'-ee-on) Short...
4439. pule -- a gate
... a gate, porch. Apparently a primary word; a gate, ie The leaf orwing of a folding
entrance (literally or figuratively) -- gate. (pulai) -- 1 Occurrence....
Strong's Hebrew
3671. kanaph --wing, extremity... 3670, 3671. kanaph. 3672 .
wing, extremity. Transliteration: kanaph
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-nawf') Short Definition: wings. Word
...1611. gaph --wing (of a bird)
... gaph. 1612 .wing (of a bird). Transliteration: gaph Phonetic Spelling: (gaf)
Short Definition: wings....wing. (Aramaic) corresponding to gaph; awing --wing....
6731. tsiyts -- perhaps wings
... 6730, 6731. tsiyts. 6731a . perhaps wings. Transliteration: tsiyts Phonetic
Spelling: (tseets) Short Definition: blossom. blossom, flower, plate,wing...
84. ebrah -- a pinion
... of eber Definition a pinion NASB Word Usage pinion (1), pinions (3). feather,wing.
Feminine of 'eber -- feather,wing. see HEBREW 'eber. 83, 84. ebrah. 85 >...
6734. tsitsith -- a tassel, lock
... fringe, lock. Feminine of tsiyts; a floral orwing-like projection, ie A forelock
of hair, a tassel -- fringe, lock. see HEBREW tsiyts. 6733, 6734....
83. eber -- pinions
... pinions (1), wings (2). long-winged. From 'abar; a pinion -- (long-)wing(-ed).
see HEBREW 'abar. 82, 83. eber. 84 . Strong's Numbers.
3326. yatsua -- a couch, bed
... bed, lean-to. Passive participle of yatsa'; spread, ie A bed; (architecture) an
extension, ieWing or lean-to (a single story or collectively):...
5133. notsah -- plumage
... Or notsah {no-tsaw'}; feminine active participle of natsah in the sense of flying;
a pinion (orwing feather); often (collectively) plumage -- feather(-s...
Library
The ShelteringWing
... VOLUME II: PSALMS LI to CXLV THE SHELTERINGWING.... There is the coveringwing; there
is the flight to its protection; and there is the warrant for that flight....
Of the Lightness of the Soul which May be Compared to aWing or...
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter IV. Of the lightness of the
soul which may be compared to awing or feather. For the...
Origin of the World; Basilides' Account of the "Sonship. "
... described in poetry,". "..Aswing or thought," [823] ". and attained,
he says, unto him that is nonexistent. For every nature...
That Bacchides was Again Sent Out against Judas; and How Judas...
... He set the horsemen on both the wings, and the light soldiers and the archers he
placed before the whole army, but he was himself on the rightwing....
Tenderness.
... being in those poor, defenseless, dependent, little creatures, as they creep under
and feel themselves overshadowed by the capacious and kindlywing of the...
"Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me. "
... Nin dah zhe be koom, Je sus, Kah zhe shin suh ke yuhwing; Pah tah ze yon, kuh ke
nuh, Ween ga no je mo e shin; Ewh ne be kuh ya me squee, Wan je je wung, ke...
Herod Takes Sepphoris and Subdues the Robbers that were in the...
... that of warriors, but their boldness was the boldness of robbers: when therefore
it came to a pitched battle, they put to flight Herod's leftwing with their...
Building a Great Temple
... The height of each was fifteen feet. Each of their wings measured seven and a half
feet across, fifteen feet from the end of onewing to the end of the other....
The New Song
... The general's cautious eye marks that there the leftwing has driven the adversary
back, but for that rightwing bring up the reserves, let not the ranks be...
The Struggle for Life
... more keen. Its supplies are exhausted, and it has to takewing for hundreds
and thousands of miles to find new hunting-ground. This...
Thesaurus
Wing (18 Occurrences)... 5. (n.) Passage by flying; flight; as, to take
wing.
... 9. (n.) Any appendage resembling
the
wing of a bird or insect in shape or appearance. 10.
...Cherub (21 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 6:24 Five cubits was the onewing of the cherub, and five cubits the other
wing of the cherub: from the uttermost part of the onewing to the uttermost...
Reaching (22 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 3:11 The wings of the cherubim were twenty cubits long: thewing of
the one cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house; and the...
Cherubs (52 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 6:27 and he setteth the cherubs in the midst of the inner house, and they
spread out the wings of the cherubs, and awing of the one cometh against the...
Wings (81 Occurrences)
... and every beast after its kind, and every creeping thing that is creeping on the
earth after its kind, and every fowl after its kind, every bird -- everywing....
Pinion (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A feather; a quill. 3. (n.) Awing, literal or figurative. 4. (n.) The joint
of bird'swing most remote from the body. 5. (n.) A fetter for the arm....
Wingspan (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Chronicles 3:11 And the wings of the cherubim were twenty cubits long: thewing
of the one cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house; and the...
Refuse (103 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To throw back, or cause to keep back (as the center, awing, or a flank),
out of the regular alignment when troops are about to engage the enemy; as...
Extended (40 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 3:11 The wings of the cherubim were twenty cubits long: thewing of
the one cherub was five cubits, reaching to the wall of the house; and the...
Pinnacle (2 Occurrences)
... A littlewing, (Matthew 4:5; Luke 4:9). On the southern side of the temple court
was a range of porches or cloisters forming three arcades....
Resources
Does the Enneagram of Personality contradict the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Christian Identity Movement? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is neo-evangelicalism? What is a neo-evangelical? | GotQuestions.orgWing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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