The eagle is a timeless symbol of independence, power, and strength. Several ancient civilizations, notably Rome, chose eagles as a symbol of royal power and perpetuity because of their status as the sky’s undisputed rulers. Given the bald eagle’s longevity and its ability to inspire awe, the United States adopted it as its national bird in 1792. So, what is the eagle’s meaning in the Bible?
The eagle is a magnificent and majestic bird that may reach a maximum weight of 15 pounds, a wing span of over 8 feet, and a maximum age of 40 years. The eagle is the most caring parent of any other bird. One example is that it shares the dove’s reputation on earth as the best educator with its young ones.
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What Does The Bible Say About Eagles?
When the eagle is first mentioned in the Bible, it occurs in Leviticus 11:13. Aside from all the bird species, the Israelites were forbidden to eat eagles because they were considered unclean, along with vultures and other predatory bird species. Dietary regulations were one of the ways God helped the newly established nation of Israel stand out from the surrounding pagan countries.
To keep them well and fulfill God’s promise to “put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians,” specific dietary guidelines were issued (Exodus 15:26). Eagles[1], like vultures, are scavengers that feed on dead animals. Diseases dangerous to humans may be carried by eagles, but God preserved Israel even when medical resources were scarce and sterilization methods were lacking.
The eagle is next mentioned in Deuteronomy 32:11, where it is included in the song God commanded Moses to teach the Israelites (Deuteronomy 31:19). In that hymn, God likens His protection of His people to that of a mother eagle spreading her wings over her young and carrying them to safety (cf. Exodus 19:4).
Isaiah 40:31 is the most well-known eagle-related verse in the Bible: “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint” (KJV). The preceding verses had spent the entire chapter extolling the majesty of God. Strong men can fail, but those who put their faith in the Lord will find an inner fortitude that the world can’t provide.
What Does The Eagle Represent In The Bible?
Is there any significance attached to the eagle in the Bible, and if so, what does it stand for? There are different eagle representations. It is always good to know what they mean.
1. Being Carried Up By An Eagle
Seeing the eagle soar in the Old Testament, God is pictured as an eagle that flies swiftly. Moses stated, “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself,” which might be interpreted as a statement of power and the ability of eagles’ wings to carry a heavy load (Exodus 19:4).
Then, Moses’ description of God as “like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, capturing them, and bearing them on its pinions” is an additional metaphor for this (Deuteronomy 32:11).
Pitchforks are the outer wings that the eagle uses to carry the young, like attentive parents with a protective nature. In the same way, or essence, this is what God did when He redeemed Israel from Egypt and sustained them during their time spent wandering in the desert.
2. God’s Rod, The Eagle, In His Conflict With Israel And Judah
In the Bible, the eagle is also used by God to symbolize the various authorities that will soon descend on the nations surrounding Israel if she continues to disobey Him. And God spoke through Jeremiah, saying, “Behold, he comes up like clouds; his chariots like the whirlwind; his horses are swifter than eagles—woe to us, for we are devastated” (Jeremiah 4:13).
Even after being warned, if the nation persists in its idolatry and refuses to repent, God declares, “The Lord will summon a nation against you from far away, from the end of the world, swooping down like the eagle, a nation whose language you do not comprehend” (Duet 28:49). They “chased us on the mountains and laid in wait for us in the bush” and “were swifter than the eagles in the heavens” (Lamentations 4:19).
What Does The Eagle Symbolize In The Bible?
Eagles represent a lot of things, from our world to the Bible. But what are these symbols that are in the Bible? What do they symbolize? What are their explanations?
1. A Symbolic Strength
The psalmist frequently compared God to an eagle, using its iconography and praising God as the one who “satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:5). But those who wait for the Lord will receive renewed strength; they will soar on the wings of eagles; they will run and not grow tired; they will walk and not grow faint, as Isaiah prophesied (Isaiah 40:31).
2. A Sword Of The Lord For The Conquest Of Nations
Even against Israel’s neighbors, God speaks in the language of a swooping eagle. On that day, “the heart of the warriors of Edom shall be like the heart of a woman in her birth pains,” as prophesied in Jeremiah 49:22. As the prophet Isaiah prophesied, “Despite you soar high like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the Lord,” to any nation that dares to exalt itself against the Highest (Obadiah 1:4).
3. God’s Protection
In Psalm 91:1–4, for instance, God is compared to an eagle to illustrate His kind character. The one who lives under the protection of the Highest will always be protected by the shadow of the Almighty. My God, in whom I have complete confidence, is my refuge and my fortress. The snare of the fowler will be broken, and the terrible disease will pass over you, because of him.
His constancy is a shield and a buckler; He will protect you with His pinions and find refuge under His wings. Since God is the true ruler of kings and presidents (Daniel 2:20–21; 5:18–21; Proverbs 8:15–16; Romans 13:1–2), eagles are a perfect symbol of God’s omnipotence and authority. Also, eagles are able to soar above even the fiercest storms, demonstrating that God is unaffected by weather.
What Does The Eagle Represent Spiritually?
Eagles have eight different symbolic connotations. With the knowledge gained from these transmissions, you will be able to successfully navigate any situation in life. In addition, they help you see things more clearly as you work toward inner growth.
1. Bald Eagles Represent Sovereignty
When an eagle soars and flies into your life, it is said to grant you the supreme power to make your wildest dreams come true.
In addition, bald eagles represent initiative. The bald eagle is also represented here in a symbolic sense. They stand as a metaphor for actually doing anything.
2. Courage
The eagle is a brave bird. The presence of an eagle is a reminder to confront your worries head-on. This is an indication that you are letting your prior mistakes prevent you from trying again.
To that end, the eagle has arrived to fill you with the confidence to pursue your goals with gusto. If you’ve tried and failed before in life, the eagle is here to tell you that you can try again, fearlessly.
3. Meaningful Contact With The Spirit Realm
The eagle is also used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. In Revelation, among the four living creatures symbolizing the Holy Spirit’s dimensions, one bears the eagle face.
Because of its superior flight capabilities, the eagle enjoys a special relationship with the afterlife. It is thought that the eagle’s good karma has earned it this gift from the cosmos.
In Native American culture, seeing an eagle is a sign from the universe that you need to strengthen your spiritual bonds via contemplation and prayer.
Conclusion
You may have come across a few sections in the Bible in which the eagle stands and appears. The eagle’s frequent appearance in the Bible means that God wants us to ponder its symbolic value in our Christian life.
The eagle bears God because it reflects, shows, and points to his majesty and power on land. God shields, conceals, and covers us. God gave Christians wings to spread and fly like eagles, shielding us from our foes below and freeing us from captivity full of hope.
I love the article. Of late I have been having the vision of a huge Eagle soaring and I needed understanding. This article has explained. Thank you so very much
I thank you so much for the insight about eagles in my dreams and visions. You’ve answered me. May God Bless you mightily.
Wow, I had no idea eagles had such deep symbolism, what other animals have significant meanings?
Thank you for a great explanation using scripture regarding the Eagle.
Im working on interpreting a dream I had on the 2 year anniversary of my son’s passing on 12/06/21. I dreamnt of an Eagle soaring down past me and as it closely flew by it had a head of a Dove?