### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun νοσσιά (nossiá), Strong's `{{G3555}}`, denotes a "brood" or "nest of young birds." It is derived from the word νεοσσός (neossos), `{{G3502}}`, meaning "a young bird" or "chick." The semantic range of νοσσιά is quite narrow and literal, referring specifically to a group of offspring produced by a bird, typically a hen. It evokes an image of vulnerability and dependence on the parent for care and protection. The term carries no inherent negative or positive connotations beyond its descriptive function; its significance is entirely derived from the context in which it is employed.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term νοσσιά appears only once in the New Testament, in a profoundly significant passage:
* **Luke 13:34**: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" [[Luke 13:34]]
In this sole occurrence, νοσσιά is used metaphorically by Jesus to describe the inhabitants of Jerusalem whom He longed to gather and protect. The imagery is drawn from the natural world, specifically the maternal instinct of a hen (ὄρνις, `{{G3733}}`) to gather her vulnerable chicks (νοσσιά) under her wings (πτέρυξ, `{{G4420}}`) for safety and warmth. The context is Jesus' lament over Jerusalem's persistent rejection of divine messengers and, ultimately, of Himself. The "brood" here represents the people of Israel, whom Jesus, embodying divine love and care, sought to shield from impending judgment and destruction. This usage underscores a deep, protective yearning on the part of Jesus, contrasting sharply with the city's unwillingness to accept His offered refuge.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words and concepts illuminate the meaning and usage of νοσσιά:
* **νεοσσός (neossos, `{{G3502}}`)**: The root word, meaning "young bird" or "chick." This directly informs the understanding of νοσσιά as a collection of such young ones.
* **ὄρνις (ornis, `{{G3733}}`)**: "A bird," specifically "a hen" in the context of Luke 13:34. This is the maternal figure providing the protection.
* **πτέρυξ (pteryx, `{{G4420}}`)**: "A wing," the physical means by which the hen offers shelter and protection to her brood.
* **συνάγω (synagō, `{{G4863}}`)**: "To gather together," the action performed by the hen (and desired by Jesus) for her brood.
* **Old Testament Imagery**: The metaphor of God protecting His people "under His wings" is pervasive in the Old Testament (e.g., [[Psalm 17:8]], [[Psalm 36:7]], [[Psalm 57:1]], [[Psalm 61:4]], [[Psalm 91:4]]). This rich biblical background provides a deeper layer of meaning to Jesus' use of νοσσιά, connecting His divine care to the enduring imagery of God's covenantal protection.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of νοσσιά in Luke 13:34 carries profound theological weight.
1. **Divine Maternal Care**: It powerfully illustrates God's (through Jesus) tender, protective, and maternal love for His people. The image of a hen gathering her brood speaks to an intimate, nurturing care that seeks to shield the vulnerable from harm. This anthropomorphic portrayal highlights the depth of divine compassion.
2. **Divine Lament and Rejection**: The lament "How often would I have gathered... and you were not willing!" reveals the pathos of God's unrequited love and the tragedy of human free will. Despite God's earnest desire to provide refuge and salvation, humanity retains the capacity to reject His overtures. This highlights the theme of divine desire versus human resistance, a recurring motif in biblical theology.
3. **Covenantal Faithfulness**: By echoing Old Testament imagery of God's protective wings, Jesus implicitly connects His mission and desire for Jerusalem to God's historical faithfulness to Israel. The "brood" represents the continuation of God's chosen people, whom He still seeks to preserve.
4. **Imminent Judgment**: The context of Jesus' lament also foreshadows the judgment that will befall Jerusalem due to its rejection. The offered protection, if spurned, leads to exposure and vulnerability.
### Summary
The Greek word νοσσιά (`{{G3555}}`), meaning "brood," is a simple yet profoundly significant term in the New Testament. Its sole appearance in [[Luke 13:34]] serves as a powerful metaphor in Jesus' lament over Jerusalem. Here, the literal image of a hen gathering her vulnerable chicks under her wings transforms into a poignant illustration of Jesus' deep, maternal, and protective love for the people of Jerusalem, whom He earnestly desired to gather and shield. This image connects to ancient biblical themes of divine protection and underscores the tragic reality of humanity's free will to reject God's gracious overtures, ultimately leading to exposure to judgment. νοσσιά thus encapsulates both the tenderness of divine yearning and the sorrow of human resistance.
TRV