The eagle is a majestic creature and has ancient symbolic meaning to many cultures dating
back centuries. For Christians, it represents a certain level of faith, hope and courage,
especially when all odds are against them. It is no surprise then, that it has earned a
special place in the scriptures of the Bible. This article will cover what eagles represent
in the Bible, with a focus on its references in the Old Testament, as well as covering the
specific meanings of the eagle in Scriptural imagery and literature.
back centuries. For Christians, it represents a certain level of faith, hope and courage,
especially when all odds are against them. It is no surprise then, that it has earned a
special place in the scriptures of the Bible. This article will cover what eagles represent
in the Bible, with a focus on its references in the Old Testament, as well as covering the
specific meanings of the eagle in Scriptural imagery and literature.
The Bible includes numerous references to eagles, often mentioned in the same context
as other strong birds of prey such as hawks, vultures and falcons. Eagles are often
associated with spiritual truths including; strength, focus, protection and divine
awakening to truth. Particularly relevant to the Old Testament, eagle symbolism embodies
the idea of hope, a reminder that God’s people can have strength and courage even in
difficult times. In the book of Isaiah, the prophet conveys the idea that eagles are
spiritual messengers, used by God to bring a message of hope: “Those who wait for the
Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; They shall
run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
as other strong birds of prey such as hawks, vultures and falcons. Eagles are often
associated with spiritual truths including; strength, focus, protection and divine
awakening to truth. Particularly relevant to the Old Testament, eagle symbolism embodies
the idea of hope, a reminder that God’s people can have strength and courage even in
difficult times. In the book of Isaiah, the prophet conveys the idea that eagles are
spiritual messengers, used by God to bring a message of hope: “Those who wait for the
Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; They shall
run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
The image of the eagle is reinforced in the passages of Psalms with the iconic phrase,
“You have made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the fruits of
the land” (Psalm 57:11). In this passage, the eagle symbolizes an individual soaring
toward spiritual heights, higher than most beings can reach. The high places are seen
not as triumph but as a means for spiritual enlightenment and understanding. In this
context, the eagle represents God’s people searching for truth and spiritual strength.
“You have made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the fruits of
the land” (Psalm 57:11). In this passage, the eagle symbolizes an individual soaring
toward spiritual heights, higher than most beings can reach. The high places are seen
not as triumph but as a means for spiritual enlightenment and understanding. In this
context, the eagle represents God’s people searching for truth and spiritual strength.
The eagle is also closely connected with the concept of divine protection and protection of
one’s faith. When Jesus referred to the sparrows being sheltered beneath the wings of the
mother eagle, He was likening the protection of God to the care of an eagle’s wings
(Matthew 23:32). The imagery of the eagle sheltering its young with its wings also
appears in the book with the prophet Isaiah: “As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over
its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings (Isaiah 40:31).
one’s faith. When Jesus referred to the sparrows being sheltered beneath the wings of the
mother eagle, He was likening the protection of God to the care of an eagle’s wings
(Matthew 23:32). The imagery of the eagle sheltering its young with its wings also
appears in the book with the prophet Isaiah: “As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over
its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings (Isaiah 40:31).
Finally, the eagle is closely connected with the idea of divine guidance and insight in the
Bible. This is most prominently seen in the Testimonies of Psalms, in which David guides
the Israelites to fly “like an eagle” and soar past their oppressors: “The Lord will give
strength to His people; the Lord will bountifully bless His people with peace” (Psalm 29:11).
In this passage, the eagle is symbolic of the grace, power and vision that the heavenly
father can bestow upon His followers.
Bible. This is most prominently seen in the Testimonies of Psalms, in which David guides
the Israelites to fly “like an eagle” and soar past their oppressors: “The Lord will give
strength to His people; the Lord will bountifully bless His people with peace” (Psalm 29:11).
In this passage, the eagle is symbolic of the grace, power and vision that the heavenly
father can bestow upon His followers.
God’s Sovereignty
The eagle can also appear as an image of God’s sovereignty, signifying the power of
divine rule over creation. This is seen in multiple scriptural passages, including
Deuteronomy 32:11-12, in which the eagle is described as teaching the young ones to
follow the path that God has ordained. Similarly, in Psalms 103, the writer uses the
eagle as a metaphor for God’s divine protection, looking “beyond the sun and moon,
beyond time and space, the eagle is a reminder of Jehovah’s divine sovereignty.
divine rule over creation. This is seen in multiple scriptural passages, including
Deuteronomy 32:11-12, in which the eagle is described as teaching the young ones to
follow the path that God has ordained. Similarly, in Psalms 103, the writer uses the
eagle as a metaphor for God’s divine protection, looking “beyond the sun and moon,
beyond time and space, the eagle is a reminder of Jehovah’s divine sovereignty.
In Revelation, God and the eagle are associated with the two wings of power. The two
wings represent different aspects of divine power and the eagle is associated with
spiritual authority. The eagle emphasizes the sacred protection of divine love and
endurance, a reminder that with God’s divine protection, anything is possible.
wings represent different aspects of divine power and the eagle is associated with
spiritual authority. The eagle emphasizes the sacred protection of divine love and
endurance, a reminder that with God’s divine protection, anything is possible.
The eagle is also often seen as a symbol of freedom in the Bible, as is mentioned in
Deuteronomy 32:11-12. This idea of freedom is powerfully captured in the story of
Daniel in the lion’s den, where God is described as sending an angel to “shut the
mouth of the lion so that Daniel could return safely to Israel”. The angel who
accomplished this feat is often associated with the image of an eagle in scriptural
references, reminding us of God’s ability to bring about discoveries and
protections, no matter the circumstances.
Deuteronomy 32:11-12. This idea of freedom is powerfully captured in the story of
Daniel in the lion’s den, where God is described as sending an angel to “shut the
mouth of the lion so that Daniel could return safely to Israel”. The angel who
accomplished this feat is often associated with the image of an eagle in scriptural
references, reminding us of God’s ability to bring about discoveries and
protections, no matter the circumstances.
Spiritual Strength
The eagle can stand as powerful example of spiritual strength in many scriptural
passages. This strength is demonstrated in the book of Job, in which the eagle
venturing “out of its house into the frost” serves as a reminder of courage and
faith in the face of great difficulty (Job 39:27). In another passages of the Bible,
Isaiah describes an eagle that is “safe in the midst of a great storm”, showing that
we too can remain faith filled and strong in spite of difficulty (Isaiah 40:24-26).
The eagle is also described as having “a sure hope in God” , reminding us that in
the midst of stormy times, God is our source of strength and hope (Psalm 57:1-3).
passages. This strength is demonstrated in the book of Job, in which the eagle
venturing “out of its house into the frost” serves as a reminder of courage and
faith in the face of great difficulty (Job 39:27). In another passages of the Bible,
Isaiah describes an eagle that is “safe in the midst of a great storm”, showing that
we too can remain faith filled and strong in spite of difficulty (Isaiah 40:24-26).
The eagle is also described as having “a sure hope in God” , reminding us that in
the midst of stormy times, God is our source of strength and hope (Psalm 57:1-3).
Divine Realm
In the Bible, the eagle is used as a metaphor for spiritual flight and entering the divine
realm. The prophet Ezekiel speaks of an eagle “flying high in the heavens” as a
metaphor for entering into “God’s presence in the heavens”. The imagery of the eagle
soaring through the sky is indicative of entering a special place of spiritual
transformation, an experience of divine power and belief. Similarly, in Isaiah 40:31,
the eagle is used to portray the idea of God’s people being lifted up to a new level of
faith, understanding and peace of mind.
realm. The prophet Ezekiel speaks of an eagle “flying high in the heavens” as a
metaphor for entering into “God’s presence in the heavens”. The imagery of the eagle
soaring through the sky is indicative of entering a special place of spiritual
transformation, an experience of divine power and belief. Similarly, in Isaiah 40:31,
the eagle is used to portray the idea of God’s people being lifted up to a new level of
faith, understanding and peace of mind.
When the eagle appeared in Satan’s vision to test Jesus in the wilderness, it was
symbolic of a spiritual challenge. The eagle was part of Satan’s temptation in the
desert, a representation of an offer to Jesus of the “power to rule the world”, which
Jesus refused (Luke 4:5-6). This connection highlights that just as the eagle required
strength and courage to overcome its trials, so too must God’s people to triumph in
their faith.
symbolic of a spiritual challenge. The eagle was part of Satan’s temptation in the
desert, a representation of an offer to Jesus of the “power to rule the world”, which
Jesus refused (Luke 4:5-6). This connection highlights that just as the eagle required
strength and courage to overcome its trials, so too must God’s people to triumph in
their faith.
Salvation
The eagle is closely linked with the idea of salvation in the Bible, representing divine
intervention and redemption. This is seen in the story of Elijah, in which the prophet
was transported by an eagle off the mountainside and away from the advisors of Ahab
(2 Kings 2:11-12). This eagle was a sign of God’s protection and was also a reminder
that in difficult times, God is still our source of hope and refuge. Similarly, the image
of an eagle being sent to deliver salvation and divine blessing is found in the book of
Isaiah, with the eagle’s wings described “as a sign of protection and a covenant of
salvation” (Isaiah 60:8).
intervention and redemption. This is seen in the story of Elijah, in which the prophet
was transported by an eagle off the mountainside and away from the advisors of Ahab
(2 Kings 2:11-12). This eagle was a sign of God’s protection and was also a reminder
that in difficult times, God is still our source of hope and refuge. Similarly, the image
of an eagle being sent to deliver salvation and divine blessing is found in the book of
Isaiah, with the eagle’s wings described “as a sign of protection and a covenant of
salvation” (Isaiah 60:8).
Environments
In the Bible, eagles can also symbolize places of power and transformation. For instance,
in Ezekiel and Revelation, the eagle is described as a ruler of the wilderness, capable
of seeing and seizing opportunities when ordinary creatures cannot. Similarly, in
Hosea 8:1, the eagle is a metaphor for a place where God’s people can be safe and
under His protection: “Set the trumpet to your mouth! He shall come like an eagle to the
midst of His people”. In this way, the eagle is used to signify a place of refuge and a
source of strength and safety.
in Ezekiel and Revelation, the eagle is described as a ruler of the wilderness, capable
of seeing and seizing opportunities when ordinary creatures cannot. Similarly, in
Hosea 8:1, the eagle is a metaphor for a place where God’s people can be safe and
under His protection: “Set the trumpet to your mouth! He shall come like an eagle to the
midst of His people”. In this way, the eagle is used to signify a place of refuge and a
source of strength and safety.
Finally, the eagle is often associated with judgment and judgement day. In the book of
Jeremiah, the eagle is used as a metaphor for the power and strength of divine
judgement, as God judges the wickedness of His people: “O My people, these are the
days of trouble; the overflowing scourge shall pass through; a stern-faced eagle
with outstretched wings shall swoop down on the land of Assyrians” (Jeremiah 4:13).
This passage is an example of how the eagle can symbolise the power and strength of
divine judgement, standing as an image of both destruction and revitalization.
Jeremiah, the eagle is used as a metaphor for the power and strength of divine
judgement, as God judges the wickedness of His people: “O My people, these are the
days of trouble; the overflowing scourge shall pass through; a stern-faced eagle
with outstretched wings shall swoop down on the land of Assyrians” (Jeremiah 4:13).
This passage is an example of how the eagle can symbolise the power and strength of
divine judgement, standing as an image of both destruction and revitalization.
Restoration
The eagle is also closely associated with the idea of restoration, represented as a
bridge that reunites the faithful to the creator. In the book of Habakkuk, when the
prophet is searching for guidance he is instructed to look to the hills for help: “From
these hills I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; and from beyond the sea, the eagle
will come, soaring to the Lord” (Habakkuk 3:3). In this passage, the eagle is symbolically
used to remind us of God’s ability to restore our faith, no matter the difficulty.
bridge that reunites the faithful to the creator. In the book of Habakkuk, when the
prophet is searching for guidance he is instructed to look to the hills for help: “From
these hills I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; and from beyond the sea, the eagle
will come, soaring to the Lord” (Habakkuk 3:3). In this passage, the eagle is symbolically
used to remind us of God’s ability to restore our faith, no matter the difficulty.
The symbolism of the eagle is also seen in the book of Ezekiel where the eagle’s sharp
eyes are used to reveal how God sees the world and how he brings restoration to the
unfaithful: “His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns; and he
has a name written that no man knows except himself” (Ezekiel 1:18). This passage
highlights that despite the darkness and destruction of our world, God’s mercy and
restoration will prevail.
eyes are used to reveal how God sees the world and how he brings restoration to the
unfaithful: “His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns; and he
has a name written that no man knows except himself” (Ezekiel 1:18). This passage
highlights that despite the darkness and destruction of our world, God’s mercy and
restoration will prevail.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the eagle is an important symbol of faith and strength in the Bible. It is
used to represent protection, divine awakening, hope, strength and redemption. The eagle
also serves as an important reminder of God’s sovereignty and divine favour for us, no
matter our circumstances. Ultimately, the eagle in the Bible is symbolic of the courage
and perseverance with which God’s people can conquer their challenges, relying not on
their own strength but on the power of divine intervention.
used to represent protection, divine awakening, hope, strength and redemption. The eagle
also serves as an important reminder of God’s sovereignty and divine favour for us, no
matter our circumstances. Ultimately, the eagle in the Bible is symbolic of the courage
and perseverance with which God’s people can conquer their challenges, relying not on
their own strength but on the power of divine intervention.
