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Matthew 6: The missing part worked out for the birds
by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640


1. Matthew 6: The missing part worked out for the birds
Matthew 6: The missing part worked out for the birds In Matthew 6:26, the "birds of the air/heaven" do not sow, reap nor gather, but during the growing season they cause problems for the "kingdom of the air/heaven". God feeds those "birds" too. You are not "better" than those "birds", but you should be "different".

2. Matthew 6: The missing part worked out for the birds
Verse routeMatthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [kjv]
Verse routeεμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων [gnt]

Jesus mentions birds four times in Matthew. According to Jesus:
Who are the birds? What do they do? Might the code word meaning Jesus provides elsewhere be applicable to the generic "birds" or "fowls" of the "air" or "heaven" (same words in Greek) and provide a alternative meaning to the literal sense of the verse?

3. Sports teams
Sports teams with bird names
MLB bird name teams
Baltimore Orioles
St. Louis Cardinals
Toronto Blue Jays
NFL bird name teams
Arizona Cardinals
Atlanta Falcons
Baltimore Ravens
Philadelphia Eagles
Seattle Seahawks
Not birds: Blackhawks, Red Wings, Flyers, Hornets
Sports teams with bird names
NBA bird name teams
Atlanta Hawks
New Orleans Pelicans
NHL bird name teams
Arizona Mighty Ducks
Atlanta Thrashers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Many sports teams have bird names.

4. Angry birds
Angry birdsAt one time, Angry Birds was a very popular game and mobile application that eventually had a movie named after it.

It is still popular.
Behind the scenes, the low level programming is in C/C++ and was scripted at the high level, in part, using the Lua programming language.

5. Birdbrain
The English phrase "birdbrain" conveys the idea of being stupid or a "scatterbrain".

There are many jokes that a "birdbrain" might tell.

6. Birds
Some birds compete for the best "cheap", "cheap", "cheap" and go "cheaper", "cheaper", "cheaper".

The "nest" thing is to cover some bird (or birdbrain) jokes as a special "tweet" for the reader.
 
When is the best time to buy a bird?
Why did the little bird get in trouble at school?
Perhaps these jokes are "for the birds". Instead of "winging it", let us investigate before we go into a "tail spin".

7. Song: Turn! turn! turn!
The current topic is the "birds" and not the "Byrds".

The "Byrds" were an American rock music band from the 1960's. Some band members: David Crosby, Gene Clark, Michael Clarke, Chris Hillman, Jim McGuinn
First four albums: Note: The "Yardbirds" were a different rock group at that time period.

Information sign More: Song: Turn! turn! turn!

8. Turn! Turn! Turn
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die.
A time to plant, a time to reap.
A time to kill, a time to heal.
A time to laugh, a time to weep.
... A time for peace, I swear it's not too late!

9. Birds in Matthew
Verse routeMatthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [kjv]
Verse routeεμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων [gnt]
Verse route8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. [kjv]
Verse route13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: [kjv]
Verse route13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. [kjv]

Jesus often uses nouns as code words. He defines some of them. Here are the four verses that mention "bird" or "fowl" which in Matthew is the same word in Greek. The last two of the four verses are in the first and third kingdom parables in Matthew 13.

Information sign More: Parables and secret codes used and explained by Jesus

10. Greek for bird
The ancient Greek word "πετεινός""fully fledged, able to fly" and is from the ancient Greek word "πέτομαι""to fly".

The PIE (Proto Indo-European) root is "*PET""spread out, fly". A related word is the English word "fathom".

The modern Greek word "πετεινός" (peh-tee-NOS) ≈ "rooster".

11. Related words
The following words are related and have the underlying idea of some distance between things.

12. Strongs - bird

13. Greek for bird
There is another word for "bird" that is used by Matthew and Luke as "hen" and by John in Revelation is "bird". John apparently does not use the other Greek word for "bird".

The ancient Greek word "ὄρνεον""bird" as in a generic bird and is the source of the Old English word "earn""eagle" and the English word "ornithology" as the "study of birds" (coined in the 1600's).

The modern Greek word "όρνιο" (OR-nee-o) ≈ "vulture, bird of prey".

14. Strongs - bird
*G3732 *3 ὄρνεον (or'-neh-on) : neuter of a presumed derivative of G3733; a birdling:--bird, fowl.
Word usage per chapter Words: ορνεα ορνεοις ορνεου

The ancient Greek word "ὄρνεον""bird" as in a generic bird and is the source of the Old English word "earn""eagle" and the English word "ornithology" as the "study of birds" (coined in the 1600's).

The modern Greek word "όρνιο" (OR-nee-o) ≈ "vulture, bird of prey".

15. Usage - bird
  • *G3732 *3 ὄρνεον (or'-neh-on) : neuter of a presumed derivative of G3733; a birdling:--bird, fowl.
  •  Usage 
     All 
    • ορνεου
      •   Revelation 18:2 ... unclean and hateful bird.
    • ορνεοις
      •   Revelation 19:17 ... voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, ...
    • ορνεα
      •   Revelation 19:21 ... mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

16. Creation story
In the creation story in Genesis, birds are created of every sort.
Verse routeGenesis 7:14 They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort. [kjv]

The LXX (Septuagint) mentions the bird kind only once.

Verse routeκαι παντα τα θηρια κατα γενος και παντα τα κτηνη κατα γενος και παν ερπετον κινουμενον επι της γης κατα γενος και παν πετεινον κατα γενος [lxx]
Verse routeAnd all the wild beasts after their kind, and all cattle after their kind, and every reptile moving itself on the earth after its kind, and every flying bird after its kind, [bs3]


17. Genesis 7:14
   Genesis 7:14 
 All 
KJV: They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort.
Hebrew: המה וכל החיה למינה וכל הבהמה למינה וכל הרמש הרמש על הארץ למינהו וכל העוף למינהו כל צפור כל כנף׃
Greek: και παντα τα θηρια κατα γενος και παντα τα κτηνη κατα γενος και παν ερπετον κινουμενον επι της γης κατα γενος και παν πετεινον κατα γενος
Brenton: And all the wild beasts after their kind, and all cattle after their kind, and every reptile moving itself on the earth after its kind, and every flying bird after its kind,

18. Flying birds
Bird BirdThe creation account says that birds of every kind were created. There are non-flying birds, such as "Big Bird".

Here, we are only interested in certain types of bird references.

Let us first mention some of the bird types in which we are not interested in this discussion.

19. Doves and pigeons
Verse routeMatthew 3:16 And Jesus ... saw the Spirit of God descending like a pigeon, and lighting upon him: [kjv]
Verse route βαπτισθεις δε ο ιησους ευθυς ανεβη απο του υδατος και ιδου ηνεωχθησαν αυτω οι ουρανοι και ειδεν πνευμα το πνευμα του θεου καταβαινον ωσει περιστεραν ερχομενον επ αυτον [gnt]
Verse routeTaube … [lu]
Verse routepaloma… [es]

We are interested in the words used for generic birds and not the word for dove or pigeon. Most languages have only one word for this bird.


Information sign More: Flipping the pigeon bird as reality or perception
Information sign More: An unworldly thorny issue that is for the pigeon birds
Information sign More: Turtle doves are not turtles

20. Matthew 3:16
   Matthew 3:16 
 All 
KJV: And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
Greek: και βαπτισθεις δε ο ιησους ανεβη ευθυς ανεβη απο του υδατος και ιδου ανεωχθησαν ηνεωχθησαν αυτω οι ουρανοι και ειδεν πνευμα το πνευμα του θεου καταβαινον ωσει περιστεραν και ερχομενον επ αυτον
Latin: baptizatus autem confestim ascendit de aqua et ecce aperti sunt ei caeli et vidit Spiritum Dei descendentem sicut columbam venientem super se
Luther: Und da Jesus getauft war, stieg er bald herauf aus dem Wasser; und siehe, da tat sich der Himmel auf über ihm. Und Johannes sah den Geist Gottes gleich als eine Taube herabfahren und über ihn kommen.
Spanish: Y Jesús, después que fue bautizado, subió luego del agua; y he aquí los cielos le fueron abiertos, y vio al Espíritu de Dios que descendía como paloma, y venía sobreÉl.

21. Sparrows
Verse routeLuke 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? [kjv]

Verse route12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. [kjv]

We are not interested in "sparrows" although some of the verses are related to the current topic.

Information sign More: Matthew 10: 28-31 Taking care of the sparrows

22. Eagles and vultures
We are not interested in birds such as "eagles" or, sometimes, "vultures", as in "birds of prey".

The Greek word for "eagle" appears many times in the LXX and GNT (Greek New Testament).


Information sign More: Eagles and woeful eagle sounds

23. Flying dragon and dinosaurs
We are not interested in "flying dragons" or "flying dinosaurs" such as a "pterodactyl", a name coined by French naturalist and zoologist Georges Cuvier (1769-1832) from two Greek words.

24. Roosters
We are not interested in "hens" that brood and sit on nests or in "roosters" as associated with Peter's denial of Christ where Peter is targeted by Satan. Back to the generic "birds" of the Bible.

25. Roosters and weather vanes
In the Middle Ages, the Catholic church wanted each parish church (area around the church) to have a rooster to remind everyone of Peter's denial.
This reminder often became a weather vane. The modern Greek word "ανεμοδείκτης" (a-neh-mo-THEE-ktees) ≈ "weather vane" is, literally, a "wind pointer" where the prefix is the modern Greek word "άνεμος" (A-neh-mos) ≈ "wind"

26. Notre Dame Cathedral rooster
Notre Dame Cathedral rooster Notre Dame Cathedral The rooster at Notre Dame Cathedral in France is well-known.
Apostolic Clock at the Hershey Museum Apostolic Clock at the Hershey Museum The Apostolic Clock at the Hershey Museum has a depiction of Peter's denial of Jesus. At the denial, the Jesus figure turns his back.

A "rooster" makes a "voice" just as a "pipe" in on "organ" is said to make a "voice". The settings on an "organ" are called "voices".

Information sign More: Music: Anacrusis and knocking
Information sign More: Music: amusing music
Information sign More: Parish the neighborhood thought

27. Matthew 13:31-32 Third kingdom parable: mustard seeds and trees
Verse routeMatthew 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: [kjv]
Verse route13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. [kjv]

Tree with twigs - no fruit
The "mustard seed" :
The "birds" do not (usually) nest in small bushes. Are the "birds" good? What is a "mustard seed"? What does a "tree" represent?

The KJV (King James Version) translates as "least" the Greek word that means "smallest". There is another Greek word for "least".

Information sign More: Matthew 13:31-32 Third kingdom parable: mustard seeds and trees

28. Matthew 13:4,19 Birds and the evil one
At the request of the disciples, Jesus provides the code-word meaning of the "birds" or "fowls" as those of the "wicked one". This happens when one does "not understand" as in "deception" (including self-deception).

Verse routeMatthew 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: [kjv]
Verse route13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. [kjv]

The "catcheth away" is related to the word for "rapture". The KJV translates as "evil" or "wicked" the Greek word that means "oppression" or "oppressor".

Information sign More: Matthew 10: 28-31 Taking care of the sparrows
Information sign More: Crying wolf for the search and seizure of the rapture
Information sign More: Overly burdened in the cares and concerns of evil
Information sign More: Evil training is toilsome work: no pain no gain

29. Verse with Greek
Verse routeMatthew 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: [kjv]
Verse routeκαι εν τω σπειρειν αυτον α μεν επεσεν παρα την οδον και ελθοντα τα πετεινα κατεφαγεν αυτα [gnt]
Verse route13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. [kjv]
Verse routeπαντος ακουοντος τον λογον της βασιλειας και μη συνιεντος ερχεται ο πονηρος και αρπαζει το εσπαρμενον εν τη καρδια αυτου ουτος εστιν ο παρα την οδον σπαρεις [gnt]

The Greek for "snatch away" is the word used for "rapture" and the source of the English word "harpoon". It is also used as "ravenous" in terms of "wolves".

Saying: You'll be birdseed. The "seed" that was "snatched away" in parable 1 appears to have been deposited (by the "birds") in parable 2 as "weeds" and then grows into a "tree" in parable 3 so that those "birds" have a place to make their "nests".

Information sign More: Matthew 12:26-29 Snatching the raptured goods from the strong man
Information sign More: Exodus 18: Hierarchy as a man-made tree structure

30. Matthew 8:20 Birds of the air
Verse routeMatthew 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι λεγει αυτω ο ιησους αι αλωπεκες φωλεους εχουσιν και τα πετεινα του ουρανου κατασκηνωσεις ο δε υιος του ανθρωπου ουκ εχει που την κεφαλην κλινη [gnt]
Verse routeFoxisbriddis of heuene … [wy]

Is the "kingdom of heaven" actually "heaven" as in the "kingdom of God"? Some will attempt to "fix" a perceived "error" in the Bible text by asserting their opinion (or glory) that "kingdom of God" and "kingdom of heaven" are the same thing.

If birds represent "evil" or "oppression" (parable 1), are there any birds in heaven?

Information sign More: Matthew 13:3-23 First kingdom parable: sower
Information sign More: Matthew 10: 28-31 Taking care of the sparrows
Information sign More: Matthew 13:51-53 Eighth kingdom parable: treasure of new and old codes

31. Matthew 8:20

   Matthew 8:20 
 All 
KJV: And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
Greek: και λεγει αυτω ο ιησους αι αλωπεκες φωλεους εχουσιν και τα πετεινα του ουρανου κατασκηνωσεις ο δε υιος του ανθρωπου ουκ εχει που την κεφαλην κλινη
Wessex: Ða cweð se haelend to hym. Foxas haebbeð holo. & heofene fugeles nyst. soðlice mannes sune naefð hwaer he hys heafod änhelde.
Wycliffe: And Jhesus seide to hym, Foxis han dennes, and briddis of heuene han nestis, but mannus sone hath not where`he schal reste his heed.
Tyndale: And Iesus sayd vnto him: the foxes have holes and the bryddes of the ayer have nestes but ye sonne of the man hath not whero to rest his heede.
Luther: Jesus sagte zu ihm: Die Füchse haben Gruben, und die Vögel unter dem Himmel haben Nester; aber des Menschen Sohn hat nicht, da er sein Haupt hinlege.

32. Revelation 18:2 Cagey birds
Verse routeRevelation 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι εκραξεν εν ισχυρα φωνη λεγων επεσεν επεσεν βαβυλων η μεγαλη και εγενετο κατοικητηριον δαιμονιων και φυλακη παντος πνευματος ακαθαρτου και φυλακη παντος ορνεου ακαθαρτου και μεμισημενου [gnt]

Cage Sphere
In Revelation, Babylon is described as a "watch" of every "unclean" and "hateful" type of "bird". Are they "watching" those in the "watch"?

Some Greek manuscripts add a "beast" as a land animal.
In Matthew 7, the house built on sand will be "cut off" and "fall".

Information sign More: Matthew 10: 28-31 Taking care of the sparrows
Information sign More: Revelation 18:1-24 Cagey birds and the end of Babylon

33. Revelation 18:2 Bird watching
Verse routeRevelation 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. [kjv]
Verse routeκαι εκραξεν εν ισχυρα φωνη λεγων επεσεν επεσεν βαβυλων η μεγαλη και εγενετο κατοικητηριον δαιμονιων και φυλακη παντος πνευματος ακαθαρτου και φυλακη παντος ορνεου ακαθαρτου και μεμισημενου [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "φυλάσσω""watch" is related to "φυλακή""watch, prison". The KJV translates the same word as "hold" and then "cage" and takes a viewpoint on who is "watching" and who is being "watched".

Discuss: How might the world be a "cage" or "watch" for a believer?

34. Revelation
A few chapters later, birds are mentioned again twice.
Verse routeRevelation 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; [kjv]

Verse route19:21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. [kjv]


35. Revelation 19:17
 All 
KJV: And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
Greek: και ειδον ενα αγγελον εστωτα εν τω ηλιω και εκραξεν εν φωνη μεγαλη λεγων πασιν τοις ορνεοις τοις πετωμενοις πετομενοις εν μεσουρανηματι δευτε και συναγεσθε συναχθητε εις το δειπνον το μεγα του μεγαλου θεου

36. Revelation 19:21
 All 
KJV: And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
Greek: και οι λοιποι απεκτανθησαν εν τη ρομφαια του καθημενου επι του ιππου τη εκπορευομενη εξελθουση εκ του στοματος αυτου και παντα τα ορνεα εχορτασθησαν εκ των σαρκων αυτων

37. Matthew
The first of the four places that "birds" are mentioned by Jesus in Matthew is in Matthew 6:26. This verse was saved for last so that the background of all the other verses have already beet covered.
Verse routeMatthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [kjv]
Verse routeεμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων [gnt]

The full context in Matthew 6 is interesting and relevant but is beyond the scope of the current discussion. Let us look at the verse before and after this verse.

38. Verse before
Here is the verse before the verse with "birds of the air".
Verse routeMatthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? [kjv]



Future topic Details are left as a future topic.


39. Matthew 6:25
   Matthew 6:25 
 All 
KJV: Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Greek: δια τουτο λεγω υμιν μη μεριμνατε τη ψυχη υμων τι φαγητε και η τι πιητε μηδε τω σωματι υμων τι ενδυσησθε ουχι η ψυχη πλειον εστιν της τροφης και το σωμα του ενδυματος

40. Verse after
Here is the verse after the verse with "birds of the air" in Matthew.
Verse routeMatthew 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? [kjv]

The Greek for "stature" has a meaning of "age". The word "cubit" can be taken in the sense of time as in extending the span of life.

Information sign More: Luke 19: A short discussion on stature

41. Translations

And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to your span of life? NRSV (New Revised Standard Version)
And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? NASB (New American Standard Bible)

Foot rulerPhrase: "One foot in the grave" (distance with time meaning).
What is the "yardstick" or "ruler" by which age should be measured?

Information sign More: Luke 19: A short discussion on stature

42. Matthew 6:27
   Matthew 6:27 
 All 
KJV: Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
Greek: τις δε εξ υμων μεριμνων δυναται προσθειναι επι την ηλικιαν αυτου πηχυν ενα

43. Fowls of the air
Let us return to Matthew 6:26 and the "fowls of the air".
Verse routeMatthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [kjv]
Verse routeεμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων [gnt]


44. Matthew 6:26
   Matthew 6:26 
 All 
KJV: Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Greek: εμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων
Latin: respicite volatilia caeli quoniam non serunt neque metunt neque congregant in horrea et Pater vester caelestis pascit illa nonne vos magis pluris estis illis

45. Luke
Luke uses "ravens" for "birds of the air". This is the only place "raven" is used in the GNT.
Verse routeLuke 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? [kjv]

Since Luke, a Greek, interviewed people and wrote the book of Luke many years later, while Matthew was an eye witness who, as a tax collector, could read, write, take detailed notes in shorthand (as required for his work), etc., Matthew is often taken as being more exact as to what Jesus actually said.

The Greek word for "raven", like the English word for "crow" is onomatopoeic in that it sounds like the sound that the bird makes as a call.

46. Luke 12:24
   Luke 12:24 
 All 
KJV: Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
Greek: κατανοησατε τους κορακας οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν οις ουκ εστιν ταμειον ουδε αποθηκη και ο θεος τρεφει αυτους ποσω μαλλον υμεις διαφερετε των πετεινων
Latin: considerate corvos quia non seminant neque metunt quibus non est cellarium neque horreum et Deus pascit illos quanto magis vos pluris estis illis

47. Ecclesiastes 11:4
Verse routeEcclesiastes 11:4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. [kjv]
Verse routeτηρων ανεμον ου σπερει και βλεπων εν ταις νεφελαις ου θερισει [lxx]

The "wind" may be related to the "birds" who do not "sow" neither do they "reap".

Information sign More: An unlawful wind as an air of the spirit

48. Greek
The ancient Greek word "κόραξ""raven, crow". The modern Greek word "κόρακας" (KO-ra-kas) ≈ "raven". The Latin word "corvus""raven".

The Greek word is onomatopoeic in that it sounds like what it represents.

Quoth the Raven : "Nevermore." From the poem "The Raven", 1845, by Edgar Allen Poe (1809-1849) who attended West Point (but did not graduate).

49. Strongs - raven

50. Birds
The "birds" do not do the following. When Jesus talks, what is not said can be as important as what is said.

What step in the literal process is missing that the birds appear to then do?

51. Step 1
The first step is sowing the seed. The "seed" is the word and Jesus in the parable of the sower "sows" the "seed". This is the first kingdom parable in Matthew 13.

The "birds" do not "sow" in this good sense. They could sow "weeds" as in the second kingdom parable. When might they do this?

Let us leave the second step for last.

52. Step 3
The third step is to "reap". In the second kingdom parable in Matthew 13, Jesus says that the "angels" are the reapers.
Verse routeMatthew 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. [kjv]



Information sign More: A hot time to harvest - now and later
The "birds" do not "reap" in this sense but they have pecked away "seeds" and sown "weeds". This can be reflexive in that the birds can sow themselves as weeds.

53. Step 4
The fourth step is to "store" into "barns".

This comes after the "reaping" of the "harvest" at the "end of the age".

Information sign More: Luke 12: Barn-burner storage
The "birds" do not "store" into "barns" in this sense.

54. Step 2
That leaves the second step which is to work what grows until the harvest. This is done by the "workers" or "laborers".
Verse routeMatthew 9:37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; [kjv]

Note that the "workers" help to "grow" the "fruit" for the "harvest". A reflexive relationship exists in that the "workers" are also part of the "harvest" as "fruit".

Information sign More: A hot time to harvest - now and later
Information sign More: Reflexive relationships in the Bible

55. Kingdom of the birds
Verse routeMatthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [kjv]
Verse routeεμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων [gnt]

Sow grow harvest store

The step omitted by Jesus is the "grow" part. The "birds" work the growing harvest by "pecking" and taking part of the harvest (first parable), and, in turn, sowing "weeds" (second parable). You are "rather different" (at least you should be). The KJV, influenced by the Latin, says "much better".

The "birds" are used by Jesus as a symbol of "false teachers" who "prey", rather than "pray", on others. The "wolf" or "wolf-dog", as contrasted to a "sheep-dog", and the "snake" or "viper" appear to be used in the same manner.

Information sign More: Minding the tail of the sky

56. Omitted step

The "ask", "seek" and "knock" sequence can be seen in the "sow", "grow" and "harvest" sequence.

The "Holy Spirit" is part of the "worker" process as in the "kingdom of heaven" or the "kingdom of the air" where one must deal with the "birds of the air".

57. Seed picker
A term for "babbler" in Greek is that of a "bird" that goes around pecking at seeds as in talking but not doing real work.

In Acts 17 at Mars Hill, Paul is ridiculed as doing what the people saying it about him are doing.

Verse routeActs 17:18 Then certain philosophers ... said, What will this babbler say? ... [kjv]
Verse routeτινες δε και των επικουρειων και στωικων φιλοσοφων συνεβαλλον αυτω και τινες ελεγον τι αν θελοι ο σπερμολογος ουτος λεγειν οι δε ξενων δαιμονιων δοκει καταγγελευς ειναι οτι τον ιησουν και την αναστασιν ευηγγελιζετο [gnt]
Verse routeseminiverbius … [v]
Verse routesowere of wordis … [wy]

The ancient Greek word "σπερμόλογος""picking up seeds" as does a bird. Figuratively it meant gossiping.

58. Strongs - seed-picker
  • *G4691 *1 σπερμολόγος (sper-mol-og'-os) : from G4690 and G3004; a seed-picker (as the crow), i.e. (figuratively) a sponger, loafer (specially, a gossip or trifler in talk):--babbler.
  •  Usage 
     All 
    • σπερμολογος
      •   Acts 17:18 ... What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth ...

59. Feeding the birds
Let us return to Matthew 6:26.
Verse routeMatthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [kjv]
Verse routeεμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων [gnt]

The "Father" feeds the "birds" even though they sow "weeds". The "birds" appear to "work" but do not do useful "work".

The "laborers" are needed for the future "harvest". We see other verses where the "Father" feeds both the "birds" and the others.

60. The reign/rain of Jesus
Verse routeMatthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. [kjv]

Verse route7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. [kjv]

Verse route7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. [kjv]

House on rock words House on sand words
Jesus says that the Father sends rain on both the just and the unjust. Some of that "rain" is sent on houses built on "sand" and on "rock", with different results.

61. Matthew 5:45

   Matthew 5:45 
 All 
KJV: That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Greek: οπως γενησθε υιοι του πατρος υμων του εν ουρανοις οτι τον ηλιον αυτου ανατελλει επι πονηρους και αγαθους και βρεχει επι δικαιους και αδικους
Geneva: That ye may be the children of your father that is in heauen: for he maketh his sunne to arise on the euill, and the good, and sendeth raine on the iust, and vniust.

62. Houses and rain
House on sand words House on rock words


Information sign More: Matthew 7:24-27 Building a house on sand
Information sign More: Building a house on sand continued
Information sign More: Building a house
Information sign More: Tower of Babel: Two houses attempted using sand

63. Matthew 7:25
   Matthew 7:25 
 All 
KJV: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Greek: και κατεβη η βροχη και ηλθον ηλθαν οι ποταμοι και επνευσαν οι ανεμοι και προσεπεσον προσεπεσαν τη οικια εκεινη και ουκ επεσεν τεθεμελιωτο γαρ επι την πετραν

64. Matthew 7:27
   Matthew 7:27 
 All 
KJV: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Greek: και κατεβη η βροχη και ηλθον ηλθαν οι ποταμοι και επνευσαν οι ανεμοι και προσεκοψαν τη οικια εκεινη και επεσεν και ην η πτωσις αυτης μεγαλη

65. Better than birds
Let us return to Matthew 6:26.
Verse routeMatthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [kjv]
Verse routeεμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων [gnt]

What does it mean to be "better" or "much better" than the "birds"?

66. Deferring on a difference of opinion on differences
Verse routeMatthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [kjv]
Verse routeεμβλεψατε εις τα πετεινα του ουρανου οτι ου σπειρουσιν ουδε θεριζουσιν ουδε συναγουσιν εις αποθηκας και ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος τρεφει αυτα ουχ υμεις μαλλον διαφερετε αυτων [gnt]

Against the flow - diamond 2In many places in the GNT, the Greek verb for "difference" as in "making a difference" is translated as "better".

A rephrased ending of the verse might be "Are you not rather different than the birds?".


Information sign More: Deferring on a difference of opinion on differences

67. Comparison
If the "birds" are the "evil ones", we find other verses in the previous chapter, Matthew 5, that describe this idea that we should be "different" than "birds". Two successive verses in Matthew 5:13-14 (the previous chapter and part of the same discourse) appear to refer to how we are to be "different" than "birds".
Verse routeMatthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. [kjv]

Verse route5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. [kjv]


68. Matthew 5:13
   Matthew 5:13 
 All 
KJV: Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Greek: υμεις εστε το αλας της γης εαν δε το αλας μωρανθη εν τινι αλισθησεται εις ουδεν ισχυει ετι ει μη βληθηναι βληθεν εξω και καταπατεισθαι υπο των ανθρωπων

69. Matthew 5:14
   Matthew 5:14 
 All 
KJV: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Greek: υμεις εστε το φως του κοσμου ου δυναται πολις κρυβηναι επανω ορους κειμενη

70. Summary
In the Bible, the generic terms "birds" and "birds of the air" are not used an a nice sense.

It appears that when Jesus uses the word "birds" a secondary meaning can be inferred in addition to the first more literal meaning.

It appears we are to be "different" than the "birds".

71. End of page

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