WING (אֵ֫בֶר, H88, אֶבְרָה, H89, עﯴף, H6416, כָּנָף, H4053, wing; צִיצ֒, H7488, a wing, flower; πτήρυξ, wing). Anatomically wings are to the created birds (Gen 1:21) what arms are to a man, but are used for covering and locomotion rather than for manual dexterity, so that the symbolic use of wing differs decidedly from the symbolic use of arms. The desire of hope is expressed in “O that I had wings like a dove I would fly away and be at rest” (Ps 55:6) and such relief is promised in “they shall mount up with wings as eagles” (Isa 40:31). “Like an eagle...spreading out its wings,” the Lord cared for His people (Deut 32:11). Ruth found refuge under the wings of the Lord (Ruth 2:12) and Jesus would have gathered Jerusalem to Himself as a “hen gathers her brood under her wings” (Matt 23:37).

Riches have their picture in doves’ wings covered with silver but their fleeting nature was compared to wings of eagles (Prov 23:5). Hosea likens the speed with which Ephraim gives itself to harlotry to someone borne by the wind which has wrapped her in its wings (Hos 4:19). Eagles have a wing spread of seven to nine ft., making for great speed. Both the wind and morning have wings (Ps 18:10; 139:9), which portray the swift arrival of the Lord’s help and accessibility everywhere. “The sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings” (Mal 4:2). Even the shadow of a wing suggested a refuge from the wicked for David (Ps 17:8).

Several symbolic creatures are given wings such as the two women in Zechariah (5:9), the lion with eagles’ wings in Daniel (7:4), and the woman in Revelation (12:14). In ancient monuments wings were added to bulls and lions. Isaiah’s seraphim covered their face with wings in worship, their feet also, but flew with the remaining two. Ezekiel’s cherubim, winged living creatures, ascended with glory to God (Ezek 10:5).

Because Job could not by his own wisdom cause the hawk to soar or migrate toward the S, nor make the eagle climb to its nest on high he learned humility and acceptance of the discipline of the Lord. Unusual ornithological observations were made by the watchers for the dove who brought the olive leaf back to the ark, and the great eagle with great wings of Ezekiel, who carried the topmost cedar twigs and transplanted them (Ezek 17:3).