How Many Times Is Eagle Mentioned In The Bible?

For many, the Bible is a source of faith, guidance, and divine wisdom. Under its pages lie stories and symbols that have been studied closely for centuries by religious scholars and casual readers alike.

One of those intriguing symbols is the eagle, a majestic bird of prey that is referenced multiple times throughout the Old and New Testament.

If you’re short on time, here is a quick answer to your question: The word ‘eagle’ is mentioned 32 times across 20 verses in the Bible.

In this comprehensive guide, we will analyze every mention of the eagle in the Bible – from soaring high in the books of Deuteronomy and Isaiah to being used as a metaphor by Christ himself. By the end, you will have a complete picture of the eagle’s biblical significance.

The Eagle in the Pentateuch

The Book of Deuteronomy

The book of Deuteronomy contains several references to eagles. In Deuteronomy 28, Moses reminds the Israelites of the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience to God’s laws. Among the curses mentioned is that the Israelites’ enemies “shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the Lord thy God hath given thee” (Deuteronomy 28:52).

Later in the chapter, the curses continue with a reference to eagles: “And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron. The Lord shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed” (Deuteronomy 28:23-24).

This curse involving the sky turning to brass is poetically linked to eagles in the next verse: “The Lord shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.

And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away” (Deuteronomy 28:25-26).

So the reference is an indirect one – linking the brass sky to being devoured by birds like eagles after defeat at the hands of enemies. This reminds the Israelites of the serious consequences of disobeying God’s commandments delivered through Moses.

The Book of Leviticus

There are no direct references to eagles in the book of Leviticus. However, in Leviticus 11, when God is instructing Moses and Aaron regarding clean and unclean animals, birds of prey are mentioned in general:

“And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray, And the vulture, and the kite after his kind; Every raven after his kind; And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind, And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl, And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle, And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.”

(Leviticus 11:13-19)

So while eagles are not singled out, they are included along with other birds of prey as being among the unclean birds that the Israelites are not permitted to eat. This reminds them of the distinction God makes between clean and unclean animals as part of his law for the Israelites.

The Eagle as a Symbol of Speed and Strength

Soaring High in 2 Samuel

In 2 Samuel 1:23, David laments the death of Saul and Jonathan, saying they were “swifter than eagles”. This highlights the eagle’s reputation for speed and strength. Eagles are able to soar to great heights with powerful wing beats, representing Saul and Jonathan’s military leadership and prowess.

The Bible often uses the eagle as a symbol of strength, speed, and rising above adversity.

A Bird of Prey in Job

The book of Job also references the eagle’s swift flying abilities. In Job 9:26, Job says his days pass by “as swift as an eagle that swoops on its prey”. This conveys how rapidly the eagle can dive down to snatch up animals to eat.

Their swift descent allows them to catch quick-moving rabbits and even fish. This bird of prey represents the brevity of human life for Job as his suffering makes his days fly past.

The Swiftness of an Eagle in Jeremiah

Jeremiah 4:13 describes an enemy invader as swift as an eagle in flight. This emphasizes how the eagle can cover great distances rapidly with minimal effort gliding on air currents. The verse says: “His horses are swifter than eagles”.

As one of the fastest birds, the eagle symbolizes the invader’s speed and impending danger. The verse continues saying destruction looms as the foe advances. So the eagle imagery conveys an approaching threat happening quickly that brings a stark warning.

Across Scripture, the frequency of eagle references Associate their speed, strength, and flight altitude with divine empowerment and protection. As one of the most regal birds soaring closest to heaven, the eagle’s abilities inspire awe of God’s majestic creation.

Renewal Like the Eagle in Psalms

The book of Psalms contains some incredible imagery about the renewal and revitalization of the eagle. Psalm 103:5 states, “Your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” This passage conveys the idea that just as the eagle periodically molts and grows new feathers, so too can followers of God experience renewal and fresh vitality in their spiritual life.

Some key insights about eagle renewal in the Psalms:

• As eagles age, their feathers become worn and frayed from years of use. They eventually lose the ability to fly well and hunt prey.
• The molting process begins when the eagle plucks out these old feathers. This can look destructive and painful initially, but it sets the stage for new growth.
• Over time fresh, vibrant feathers emerge in place of the shabby old ones. The eagle’s strength and vigor returns as if they have been made young again.
• In the same way, difficult seasons and trials in the spiritual life can feel destructive at first. But they can pave the way for new depths of faith and intimacy with God if properly navigated.
• The Psalms remind believers that God promises to continually renew their spiritual fervor. Even in hard times, they can hope for revitalized passion and power like the youthful soaring of the eagle.

The molting process is a great picture of spiritual renewal because it illustrates how God often uses difficulty to strip away old assumptions and habits that hindered growth. Out of the ashes of struggle new life emerges, with greater vibrancy and strength than before.

By anchoring oneself to God’s faithful promises during the molting seasons of life, believers can experience deep renewal and soar to new heights in their walk with Christ.

The Eagle Representing God’s Protection and Provision

Bearing Israel on Wings in Exodus

The first mention of the eagle in the Bible is in Exodus 19:4, where God reminds the Israelites how He bore them “on eagles’ wings” and brought them to Himself after rescuing them from slavery in Egypt.

This speaks of God’s loving protection over His people, comparing it to how an eagle gently carries its young and teaches them to fly. Amazingly, though they are large birds, eagles are known for being incredibly gentle with their young as they transport them on their back and wings.

In the same way, God protected Israel and cared for her as His chosen people.

Guarding the Nest in Deuteronomy

In Deuteronomy 32:11, Moses describes God’s care and protection like an eagle that “stirs up its nest, that hovers over its young.” Eagles are known for building their nests on cliffs and high rocks, safe from predators.

The mother eagle watches carefully over the eaglets in the nest, sheltering them with her body and wings. God guarded and kept Israel safe from enemies as a protective mother eagle guards her young, hovering over the nation and “stirring the nest” to encourage growth.

Delivering Food in Habakkuk

The prophet Habakkuk used the eagle as a symbol of strength in Habakkuk 1:8, saying that the invading Babylonian horses “fly like the eagle swift to devour.” He compares the eagle’s speed and power as it swoops down to catch prey to deliver food back to its young in the nest.

While the enemy may seem swift and strong for a time, ultimately God is stronger. As Habakkuk goes on to declare in verse 12, God as eternal Lord is “from everlasting,” the true mighty deliverer who sustains and nourishes His people.

Across Scripture, the eagle is pictured as a majestic bird under God’s sovereign care, seen in several verses as an analogy of God’s protection, deliverance and provision for His children. He is the one who carried Israel safely on eagles’ wings out of slavery, who guards His people under His wings, and who ultimately provides sustenance and spiritual nourishment for those who trust in Him.

Eagle Imagery in the New Testament

Wings of an Eagle in Revelation

The book of Revelation contains a powerful reference to the wings of an eagle. In Revelation 12:14, the woman is given “two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.”

Here, the wings of the eagle enable the woman to escape danger and find refuge in the wilderness. The eagle’s wings represent strength, speed, and protection. Through this vivid symbolism, Revelation highlights how God empowers and protects His people, even amidst persecution.

Some key insights on this eagle reference:

• The eagle is known for its swift flight and sharp vision, making it an apt depiction of divine aid and deliverance.
• The wilderness setting recalls Israel’s 40 years under God’s care after the exodus. The eagle wings evoke Exodus 19:4 – “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.”
• Just as an eagle protects its young, God tenderly guards His people and comes to their rescue in times of distress.
• The 31⁄2 years spent in the wilderness mirrors the earthly ministry of Jesus. As Jesus sustained His disciples, so too will the woman be divinely nurtured.

By utilizing eagle wings imagery, the vision in Revelation 12 powerfully underscores God’s faithfulness, protection, and deliverance. He will spiritually uplift and sustain His people, even in the most harrowing of circumstances.

A Metaphor from Christ in Matthew

In Matthew 24:28, Jesus employs an enigmatic saying: “Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.” Here, Jesus uses vivid natural imagery to paint a somber picture of God’s impending judgment. The key insights include:

• The “corpse” likely represents the spiritual deadness of Jerusalem at Christ’s return. The “vultures” symbolize agents of divine judgment.
• As vultures ominously gather above a corpse, so too God’s judgment will loom over the faithless city.
• Vultures were considered unclean in Jewish law. Associating them with judgment highlights its fearful nature.
• By evoking the precise behavior of vultures, Jesus emphasizes how inescapable God’s wrath will be against sin.

The sobering metaphor serves to warn people to repent and prepare for judgment. While eagles represent deliverance for the faithful woman in Revelation, here the vultures epitomize inescapable wrath for the wicked.

Rich natural imagery undergirds Jesus’ urgent call for spiritual readiness in the face of His coming.

Conclusion

After analyzing the 32 verses where ‘eagle’ is mentioned in the Bible, some clear symbolic themes emerge. The eagle is portrayed as a swift and powerful bird of prey. Its ability to swiftly strike from above and guard its young made it an apt metaphor for God protecting and disciplining Israel.

Christ himself used the caring nature of an eagle to exemplify God’s love and salvation. While brief, these eagle references reveal rich imagery that instills the qualities of strength, nobility, protection, and renewal to this regal bird.