From the sparrow, to the eagle, to the dove, all of God’s creatures hold special meaning in the Bible. If you’ve ever been curious as to what birds symbolize biblically, then this article is for you. While animals are widely used in Scripture, birds play a particularly symbolic role in both the Old Testament and New Testament. In the Bible, birds are most frequently used to represent divine power, freedom, redemption, and hope.
The first example of birds in the Bible is found in Genesis 1:20-23 where God creates birds to fill the skies. To many, birds are associated with spiritual power, from angelic visits to divinely-inspired dreams. In the Bible, birds don’t so much symbolize angels themselves, as they do messengers from God. After God created birds, he commissioned them to lead the Israelites out of Egypt: “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light.” (Exodus 13:21). The pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire helped lead the Israelites through the desert, and the flock of birds symbolized divine guidance and power.
In the Old Testament, birds are used to illustrate the idea of freedom. In this example, the Lord instructed his people to release a group of doves from the wilderness in order to declare to the world that their days of bondage were over. The bird’s freedom symbolized the Israelites’ newfound freedom from the bondage of the Egyptian Empire. In the Bible, birds are used to represent the freedom of the “Spirit”. In the book of Exodus, a “flock of birds” is used to represent the freedom of the Spirit (Exodus 8:7). As well, in Leviticus, a “pair of doves” was used to represent the freedom of the Spirit (Leviticus 14:22).
In addition to bird’s symbolic meaning of freedom, redemption is also associated with birds. In the Bible, when the Israelites needed restoration after their long days of suffering and bondage, God sent them a sign – an eagle. The eagle contained a message of hope which reminded them of the Lord’s deep and abiding commitment to his covenant people. Later, in the New Testament, the Lord declares that his people will dwell as eagles perched high above their adversaries (Luke 17:37). By symbolizing the redemption of his people through the eagle, the Bible shows us God’s immense love and faithfulness.
From prophecies to psalms, birds are mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible. They are symbols of divine power, freedom, redemption, and hope. This is true in both the old and New testament, and serves as a reminder that God never leaves us—he is always with us, guiding us, and leading us in the right direction.
The Symbolic Nature of Eagles In The Bible
Eagles, perhaps more than any other species of bird, are symbolic of power and liberty in the Bible. In the book of Deuteronomy, God promises to give his people “an Eagle’s strength”. In this instance, the eagle symbolizes God’s strength and goodness, as he promises to bless his people with freedom from their suffering and distress. In addition, the eagle is symbolic of hope and redemption: God promises that he will save his covenant people “with an outstretched arm and with great judgments” (Deuteronomy 4:34). This promise of deliverance is symbolized by the eagle, an animal which is known for its swiftness, keen eyesight, and majestic presence.
The eagle is also mentioned in Psalm 103, when the psalmist suggests that “the eagle’s wings and feathers renew”. Here, the eagle is used to illustrate the renewing power of the Holy Spirit, and to emphasize the Lord’s ability to empower his people with strength and courage when they are weary. As well, in the book of Isaiah, a “great eagle” is used to represent God himself. In this instance, the majestic bird symbolizes God’s power and authority, and serves as a reminder of the Lord’s commitment to protecting and liberating His people.
The eagle is symbolic of many things in the bible, but perhaps its strongest symbols are those of power, hope and redemption. Eagles are associated with God’s strength and promises of deliverance, freedom from bonds and oppression, and comfort and security in the midst of difficult times. In short, the eagle is a symbol of the Lord’s love for us and His unending faithfulness to His people.
The Symbolic Nature of Doves In The Bible
Much like their widespread significance today, doves carry a special meaning in the Bible. Doves are known for their serene and peaceful nature and are used most frequently in the Bible as symbols of purity, humility, peace, and innocence. In the Old Testament, a burning dove is used to represent the presence of the Holy Spirit that descended upon both Aaron and Jesus at their respective Baptisms. (Leviticus 14:22, Mark 1:10)
In the Bible, doves are often found in the presence of a message from God. In the book of Isaiah, the dove is said to bear a “message of peace”. This message of peace is symbolic of the Lord’s promise of everlasting redemption and deliverance to his covenant people. As well, the dove is symbolic of Jesus himself, in his role as the Prince of Peace. In the gospel of Matthew, the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus in the form of a dove, as a sign of his authority and as a reminder of his power to redeem and restore.
Doves also appear in the Bible as symbols of sacrificial offering and spiritual cleansing. Throughout the Old Testament, doves were often used as a spiritual offering to the Lord. This offering symbolized the Israelites’ desire to be cleansed of their sins and to return to God’s favor. By using doves as symbols of spiritual cleansing and renewal, the Bible shows us that our relationship with the Lord is ever-changing and that redemption and restoration are always possible, no matter how far from God we may have strayed.
The Symbolic Nature of Sparrows In The Bible
In the Bible, the sparrow is known for being a symbol of love and faithfulness. In the book of Psalms, the sparrow is used to represent the Lord’s intimate knowledge of and commitment to His people. This is exemplified with the phrase “not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight”. Here, the sparrow illustrates God’s deep love and caring for even the smallest of creatures.
In the New Testament, the sparrow is also symbolic of God’s divine love and protection. In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus declares “even the sparrow will not fall to the ground outside of God’s care”. This parable serves to illustrate the Lord’s relationship to all of His creatures, and His commitment to being with them through all circumstances. This parable also serves as a reminder that God’s love and protection are like a mother caring for her young. This is particularly evident in the book of Psalms, where David exclaims “The Lord is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him”.
The sparrow also appears in the Bible in a parable about generosity and hospitality. In the gospel of Luke, Jesus states “even if a person gives just a cup of cold water to one of the least of these, he will not lose his reward.” Here, the sparrow symbolizes the kindness, mercy, and compassion that God desires us to have for those in need. This parable serves to remind us that we should always look out for those who are less fortunate than us, and strive to provide them with whatever help we can.
The Symbolic Nature of Owls In The Bible
In the Bible owls are often used to symbolize death and destruction. In the Old Testament, owls are widely mentioned in a negative light as they are often described as unclean animals (Leviticus 11:16). This is because owls were believed to be associated with death and the land of the dead. As such, owls were widely regarded as symbols of death and destruction in the Bible.
In the book of Isaiah, owls are used to illustrate God’s judgment on the wicked. In this passage, God is said to “lay waste” the land and “make it a desolation”, with the howling of the eagle and the wailing of the owl. Here, the owl serves to represent the Lord’s judgment and destruction of those who reject Him and His laws. In Jeremiah, owls are also used to represent death and destruction as they are said to “haunt their cities” and “devour their inhabitants”.
Owls are also used to symbolize the Lord’s protection of his people. In the book of Amos, God promises to protect His people “like birds hovering over kids” and to “cover them with His pinion”. Here, the owl stands as a reminder of the Lord’s protection and shelter over those who go astray. In the same way, in the book of Isaiah, God promises that He will lead his people in “unfailing love and with an everlasting kindness”. Through this use of the owl, God demonstrates His desire to protect His people from harm.
