Job 39:13 — Word Study
WLCכְּנַף־ רְנָנִ֥ים נֶעֱלָ֑סָה אִם־ אֶ֝בְרָ֗ה חֲסִידָ֥ה וְנֹצָֽה׃
BSAThe wingskânâph [of the rattling ones, proudly waving] of the ostrichrenen△ [a bird known for its loud cry] flap joyfullyʻâlaç■ [to rejoice, leaping for joy] but cannot [match]ʼim [are not comparable to] the pinionsʼebrâh [bird's wing or feather] and feathersnôwtsâh [plumage, collective feathers] of the storkchăçîydâh
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| כְּנַף־ | [the] wing of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| רְנָנִ֥ים | ostriches | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| נֶעֱלָ֑סָה | it flaps joyously | Verb, Niphal, perfect third person feminine singular |
| אִם־ | if | Particle |
| אֶ֝בְרָ֗ה | a pinion | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| חֲסִידָ֥ה | a stork | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| וְנֹצָֽה׃ | and plumage | Conjunction, noun common feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, but cannot match the pinions and feathers of the stork. |
| KJV | Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich? |
| ASV | The wings of the ostrich wave proudly; But are they the pinions and plumage of love? |
| YLT | The wing of the rattling ones exulteth, Whether the pinion of the ostrich or hawk. |
| WEB | “The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, but are they the feathers and plumage of love? |
| BBE | Is the wing of the ostrich feeble, or is it because she has no feathers, |
There are no significant differences among the translations on how the words are rendered in this verse.
The sentence consists of a main clause describing the action of the ostrich and a contrasting clause that highlights the stork's attributes.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbעָלַס
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 7 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 39:13
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Creation and the Animalsgenerated
Job 39:13 is part of a larger discourse where God describes the characteristics of various animals, emphasizing their unique traits and roles in creation. This section highlights the ostrich's joyful nature and contrasts it with the stork's elegance, showcasing the diversity of God's creations. The surrounding verses discuss the behavior and instincts of different creatures, illustrating God's wisdom in their design.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 10:22 | For the king had the ships of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. |
| 2 | 2 Chronicles 9:21 | For the king had the ships of Tarshish that went with Hiram’s servants, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks. |
| 3 | Job 30:29 | I have become a brother of jackals, a companion of ostriches. |
| 4 | Leviticus 11:19 | the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat. |
| 5 | Psalm 104:17 | where the birds build their nests; the stork makes her home in the cypresses. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — כָּנָף, ke.naf-generated
The word כָּנָף (kanaph) means 'wing' and is used here to describe the physical wings of the ostrich. It can refer to the edge or extremity of something, indicating both literal and metaphorical meanings. In this context, it highlights the joyful flapping of the ostrich's wings.
The parsing as a feminine singular construct indicates that it is specifically referring to the wings of the ostrich, emphasizing its role in the sentence. The joyful flapping is a vivid image of the bird's exuberance.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations generally agree on the imagery of the ostrich's wings.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb נֶעֱלָ֑סָה governs the main clause, indicating the action of flapping joyfully. The structure includes a subject noun phrase and a contrasting clause describing the stork's feathers.
The sentence structure emphasizes the joyful action of the ostrich while contrasting it with the stork's superior attributes, showcasing the distinctiveness of each bird.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates כָּנָף as πτέρυχ, which also means 'wing'. This choice maintains the focus on the physical aspect of the ostrich's wings, similar to the Hebrew.
The use of πτέρυχ suggests a direct connection to the concept of wings in both languages, reinforcing the imagery of the ostrich's flapping.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 39:13 describes how the wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, but they cannot compare to the feathers of the stork. This verse highlights the unique characteristics of these two birds, showing the joyful nature of the ostrich and the elegance of the stork.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The joyful flapping of the ostrich's wings signifies its exuberance and distinctive behavior, which is celebrated in this verse.
The stork's feathers are considered superior because they represent elegance and beauty, contrasting with the ostrich's joyful but less refined wings.
The comparison highlights the diversity of God's creation and the unique traits that different animals possess, each fulfilling its role in nature.
This verse reflects God's wisdom by showcasing the distinct characteristics of each bird, illustrating the variety and purpose within His creation.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What unique traits do you notice in the creatures around you, and how do they reflect God's creativity?
- How can you express joy in your life, similar to the joyful flapping of the ostrich?
- In what ways do you see contrasts in nature that highlight the diversity of God's creation?
- How can the behaviors of animals inspire us to appreciate our own unique qualities?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators draw on this verse to discuss the characteristics of the ostrich and the stork, using their traits as metaphors for deeper spiritual meanings.
The sort of wings described here appears to signify the synagogue of those who led Christ to the cross. Indeed, who is that mother who generated many children but whose children are not hers? It can only be the one who gave birth to the…Early Church Fathers on Job 39 →
The wing of the ostrich is like the wings of the heron, and of the hawk. 11. Who can be ignorant how much the heron and the hawk surpass all other birds in the swiftness of their flight? But an ostrich has the likeness of their wing,Early Church Fathers on Job 39 →
The wing of the ostrich is like the wings of the heron and the hawk. [MYSTICAL INTERPRETATION] 36. What is signified by the name 'ostrich,' but the synagogue, which had indeed the wings of the law,Early Church Fathers on Job 39 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 39:13 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible[Gavest thou] the goodly wings unto the peacocks?.... Rather "ostriches", as the Vulgate Latin and Tigurine versions render it; some render it, "the wing of those that exult is joyful", so Montanus;
Read John Gill on Job 39 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryGavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich? Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 39 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleGavest thou: the style of this book is very concise, and some verb is manifestly wanting to supply the sense; and this seems to be fitly understood out of , where it is expressed. The goodly; or, triumphant; that wherein it triumpheth or prideth itself. Wings, or feathers; Heb. wing or feather. The peacock’ s beauty lies in its tail; which may well enough be comprehended under this name, as it is confessed that the Latin word ala, which properly signifies a wing, is used by Martial and Claudian to express the peacock’ s tail. The peacocks; or, as some render it, to the ostrich, whose wings are much more great and goodly than those of the peacock. And for the other word in the next clause…
Read Matthew Poole on Job 39 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 39:13 [Gavest thou] the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?Ver. 13. Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks?] Alam exultandam, the wings and tail to the peacock, wherein he so prideth himself and taketh such pleasure, being all in changeable colours. So are some great promises (the peacock here hath his name from his loud and shrill voice), as often changed as moved. A beautiful bird it is, and preciously clothed by God. They were wont to say here, that peacocks, hops, and heresy came first into England in one and the same ship. They say, he most of all spreads his fair tail when he is most beheld by men, and praised. His feathers are good for…
Read John Trapp on Job 39 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(13) Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks?—Rather, The wing of the ostrich is superb, but are her pinions and her feathers like the stork’s? Ostrich feathers are said to be worth from £8 to £15 a pound; but, beautiful and valuable as they are, they are hardly like the plumage of a bird, and are not so used for flight; on the contrary, the ostrich runs like a quadruped, it is stated at the rate sometimes of fifty or sixty miles an hour.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 39 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 13. The goodly wings unto the peacocks?] I believe peacocks are not intended here; and the Hebrew word רננים renanim should be translated ostriches; and the term חסידה chasidah, which we translate ostrich, should be, as it is elsewhere translated, stork; and perhaps the word נצה notsah, rendered here feathers, should be translated hawk, or pelican. The Vulgate has, Penna struthionis similis est pennis herodii et accipitris; "the feather of the ostrich is like to that of the stork and the hawk." The Chaldee has, "The wing of the wild cock, who crows and claps his wings, is like to the wing of the stork and the hawk." The Septuagint, not knowing what to make of these different terms…
Read AdamClarke on Job 39 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleGavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? - In the previous verses the appeal had been to the wild and untamable animals of the desert.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 39 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bibleβ. The ostrich, resembling the stork in her stilt-like structure, the colour of her feathers, and gregarious habits, widely differs from the stork in respect to care for her young, and yet, in one
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Job 39 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, but cannot match the pinions and feathers of the stork.
“The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, but are they the feathers and plumage of love?
The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, but cannot match the pinions and feathers of the stork.
“The wings of the ostrich flap with joy, but are they the pinions and plumage of a stork?
Tyndale line
Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?
The wings of the ostrich wave proudly; But are they the pinions and plumage of love?
The wing of the ostrich rejoiceth, but are her pinions and feathers kindly?
Gavest thou the goodly wings to the peacocks? or wings and feathers to the ostrich!
Canst thou binde the vnicorne with his band to labour in the furrowe? or will he plowe the valleyes after thee?
Strictly literal
The wing of the ostrich beats joyously — But is it the stork's pinion and plumage?
The wing of the rattling ones exulteth, Whether the pinion of the ostrich or hawk.
[The] wing of the crying ostriches exults, but as a pinion and feather of a stork?
The wing of the ostrich moveth joyfully: hath she the pinions and plumage of the careful stork?
The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, but are they the pinions and plumage of love?
From the Latin
The wing of the ostrich is like the wings of the heron, and of the hawk.
Simplified
The ostrich proudly flaps her wings, but they are nothing like the flight feathers of the stork.
Is the wing of the ostrich feeble, or is it because she has no feathers,
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint largely agree in their wording for this verse. The Septuagint matches five of the seven Hebrew words, indicating a close relationship between the two texts, although the word order differs.
כְּנַף־ רְנָנִ֥ים נֶעֱלָ֑סָה אִם־ אֶ֝בְרָ֗ה חֲסִידָ֥ה וְנֹצָֽה׃
5 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 39:13
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
כָּנָף (kanaph) means 'wing' or 'extremity' and can refer to various edges or corners, such as those of a bird, garment, or building. It encompasses meanings like border, corner, and skirt, indicating both physical and metaphorical edges. The word is derived from a root that suggests an edge or extremity.
כָּנָף 109 n.f. wing, extremity
base
H3671 כָּנָף wing, extremity
3671 kanaph kaw-nawf'
from 3670; an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or
army) a wing, (of a garment or bed-clothing) a flap, (of the
earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinnacle:--+ bird, border,
corner, end, feather(-ed), X flying, + (one an-)other,
overspreading, X quarters, skirt, X sort, uttermost part,
wing((-ed)).
see HEBREW for 03670
כָּנָף (ka.naph) — wing.
1) wing, extremity, edge, winged, border, corner, shirt
1a) wing
1b) extremity
1b1) skirt, corner (of garment)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
רְנָנִים (renen) refers to an ostrich, noted for its piercing cry. The word is derived from a root that also relates to a wailing sound. It appears in contexts discussing birds, particularly emphasizing the ostrich's distinctive vocalization.
רְנָנִים n.[m.]pl. bird of piercing cries, i.e. ostrich
base
H7443 רְנָנִים, רֶנֶן
7443 renen reh'-nen
from 7442; an ostrich (from its wail):--X goodly.
see HEBREW for 07442
רְנָנִים (re.nen) — ostrich.
1) something with a piercing cry
1a) bird of piercing cries
1a1) ostrich
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
עָלַס (alac) is a Hebrew verb meaning to rejoice or exult. It can describe various forms of joy, including flapping joyously, as seen in the context of an ostrich. The entries indicate its use in different grammatical forms, such as Qal, Niphal, and Hithpael, but do not provide specific verse references.
[עָלַס] vb. rejoice
Qal he shall not rejoice
Niph. (of ostrich’s wing) = flap joyously
Hithp. let us delight ourselves in love.
base
H5965 עָלַס
5965 `alac aw-las'
a primitive root; to leap for joy, i.e. exult, wave
joyously:--X peacock, rejoice, solace self.
עָלַס (a.las) — to rejoice.
1) to rejoice
1a) (Qal) to rejoice
1b) (Niphal) to exult
1b1) to flap joyously (of ostrich)
1c) (Hithpael) to delight oneself
V-Niphal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Niphal · perfect third person feminine singularHVNp3fs
אִם (im) is a Hebrew conjunction primarily meaning 'if' and is used in various contexts, including conditional clauses and interrogative situations. It can also express negation, alternatives, or exceptions, and appears frequently in the Old Testament. The lexicons note its use in oaths and its ability to connect different clauses, sometimes altering their meanings.
אִם conj.
hypoth. part. if
Interrog. part.
base
כִּי אם־
each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:
that if
for if
(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—
limiting the prec. clause, except
the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
after an oath, surely
base
H518a אִם conj. . hypoth. part. if
. Interrog. part.
H518b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if
. for if
. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except
. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but
. after an oath, surely
518 'im eem
a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!;
interrog., whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh
that!, when; hence, as a negative, not:--(and, can-,
doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, +
more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or,
+ save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more,
none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when,
whereas, whether, while, + yet.
אִם (im) — if.
: if/whether_or/though
1) if
1a) conditional clauses
1a1) of possible situations
1a2) of impossible situations
1b) oath contexts
1b1) no, not
1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or
1d) when, whenever
1e) since
1f) interrogative particle
1g) but rather
[כִּי] אם (ki im) — if: except.
1) except if
1a) but if
אִם (im) — if: surely no.
: surely_no
1) if
1a) conditional clauses
1a1) of possible situations
1a2) of impossible situations
1b) oath contexts
1b1) no, not
1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or
1d) when, whenever
1e) since
1f) interrogative particle
1g) but rather
אִם (im) — if: surely yes.
: surely_yes
1) if
1a) conditional clauses
1a1) of possible situations
1a2) of impossible situations
1b) oath contexts
1b1) no, not
1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or
1d) when, whenever
1e) since
1f) interrogative particle
1g) but rather
אִם (im) — if: until.
: until/except
Conj — ParticleHTc
אֶבְרָה (ebrah) refers to a 'pinion' or 'wing,' particularly in a poetic context. It is a feminine form related to the word for 'feather' or 'wing.' The term can denote the wings of birds like ostriches and eagles, and it may also have metaphorical uses related to God.
אֶבְרָה n.f. pinion (nom. unit., poet.)
base
H84 אֶבְרָה pinion (nom. unit., poet.)
84 'ebrah eb-raw'
feminine of 83:--feather, wing.
see HEBREW for 083
אֶבְרָה (ev.rah) — pinion.
1) pinion, wing
1a) of bird (ostrich, eagle, dove)
1b) of God (metaph)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
pin'-yun ('ebher, 'ebhrah): the Revised Version (British and American) has translated these Hebrew words uniformly by "pinion," where the King James Version uses either "wing" or "feathers," with which words they stand in parallelism in all passages. The shorter Hebrew word is found only once, in Yahweh's parable to Ezekiel: "A great eagle with great wings and long pinions (the King James Version "longwinged"), full of feathers, which had divers colors, came unto Lebanon, and took the top of the cedar" (Eze 17:3). The feminine form ('ebhrah) is used of the wings of the dove (Ps 68:13), of the ostrich (Job 39:13) and of the eagle (De 32:11). Once (
חֲסִידָה (chaciydah) refers to a stork, noted for its kindness and affection towards its young. It is a feminine form derived from the root word for a kind or maternal bird. The entries consistently highlight its association with nurturing behavior.
חֲסִידָה n.f. stork (so called as kind and affectionate to its young)
base
H2624 חֲסִידָה stork (so called as kind and affectionate to its young)
2624 chaciydah khas-ee-daw'
feminine of 2623; the kind (maternal) bird, i.e. a stork:--X
feather, stork.
see HEBREW for 02623
חֲסִידָה (cha.si.dah) — stork.
stork
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
stork (chacidhah; variously rendered in the Septuagint: Le 11:19, erodios; De 14:18, pelekan; Job 39:13, hasida (transliteration of Hebrew); Zec 5:9, (epops; Latin Ciconia alba): A large wading bird of the family Ardeidae, related to crane, ibis, heron and bittern. The stork on wing is a bird of exquisite beauty. The primary, secondary and a few of the tertiary wing feathers are black, the remainder, also the head, neck, and back and under parts white, the bill and legs red. When a perching white bird suddenly unfolds these wonderful wings, having at times a sweep of 7 ft., and sails away, it makes a very imposing picture. Zechariah in a vision saw a woman having the wings…
Stork
Heb. hasidah, meaning “kindness,” indicating thus the character of the bird, which is noted for its affection for its young. It is in the list of birds forbidden to be eaten by the Levitical law (Lev. 11:19; Deut. 14:18). It is like the crane, but larger in size. Two species are found in Palestine, the white, which are dispersed in pairs over the whole country; and the black, which live in marshy places and in great flocks. They migrate to Palestine periodically (about the 22nd of March). Jeremiah alludes to this (Jer. 8:7). At the appointed time they return with unerring sagacity to their old haunts, and re-occupy their old nests. “There is a well-authenticated account of the devotion of a stork which, at the burning of…
(Heb. chasidah), a large bird of passage of the heron family. The of the largest and most conspicuous of land birds, standing nearly four feet high, the jet black of its wings and its bright red beak and legs contrasting finely with the pure white of its plumage. (Zechariah 6:9) In the neighborhood of man it devours readily all kinds of offal and garbage. For this reason, doubtless it is placed in the list of unclean birds by the Mosaic law. (Leviticus 11:19; 14:18) The range of the white stork extends over the whole of Europe, except the British isles, where it is now a rare visitant, and over northern Africa and Asia as far at least as Burmah. The black stork (Ciconia nigra , Linn.), though less abundant in places, is scarcely less widely distributed, but has a more easterly…
Its Hebrew name signifies kindness or mercy, and its Greek name natural affection, probably because of the tenderness which it is said to manifest towards its parents-never, as is reported, forsaking them, but feeding and defending them in their decrepitude. In modern times, parent storks are known to have perished in the effort to rescue their young from flames; and it has been a popular, but perhaps ill-founded opinion, that in their migratory flights, the leader of the flock when fatigued is partially supported by others as he falls into the rear. In Jer 8:7, allusion is made to the unerring instinct of the stork as a bird of passage, and perhaps to its lofty flight: "the stork in the heavens knoweth her appointed times." Moses places it among unclean birds, Le 11:19
נוֹצָה (nowtsah) refers to plumage or feathers, derived from the root meaning to fly. It specifically denotes wing feathers and can refer to feathers collectively, including those of an ostrich. The entries consistently emphasize its connection to the concept of flying.
נוֹצָה n.f. plumage
base
H5133 נוֹצָה
5133 nowtsah no-tsaw'
or notsah {no-tsaw'}; feminine active participle of 5327 in
the sense of flying; a pinion (or wing feather); often
(collectively) plumage:--feather(-s), ostrich.
see HEBREW for 05327
נוֹצָה (no.tsah) — plumage.
plumage, feathers
Conj | N-fs — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular absoluteHC/Ncfsa