The Greek word nossíon, represented by G3556, is a diminutive term for a birdling, specifically a chicken. It is a very rare word, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible. Its singular use provides a poignant and tender image within a lament.
The sole appearance of G3556 is in Matthew 23:37, where Jesus expresses sorrow over Jerusalem's rejection of God's messengers. The city is described as one that kills the prophets and stones those sent to it. In this context, Jesus uses a powerful metaphor to illustrate His own longing: "even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" Matthew 23:37. The word vividly portrays the people of Jerusalem as vulnerable young that He desired to protect.
Several related words in the immediate context enrich the meaning of this metaphor:
- G3733 órnis (hen): This is the mother bird who gathers the chickens. The definition is "a bird (as rising in the air), i.e. (specially), a hen (or female domestic fowl)". It is the protective agent in the metaphor Matthew 23:37.
- G1996 episynágō (gather together): This action word, meaning "to collect upon the same place," is used to describe what the hen does for her chickens and what Christ longed to do for the children of Jerusalem Matthew 23:37.
- G4420 ptéryx (wing): Defined as a wing, this word provides the image of the specific place of shelter and protection under which the chickens are gathered Matthew 23:37.
- G5043 téknon (child): This word for child or son is used for the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The chickens G3556 serve as a direct metaphorical stand-in for these children whom Christ wished to gather Matthew 23:37.
The theological weight of G3556 is concentrated in its single, impactful usage.
- Divine Longing and Protection: The image of a hen gathering her chickens is a powerful illustration of divine care and the desire to provide a safe refuge. It frames God's posture toward His people as one of tender, protective love.
- Metaphor for Vulnerability: Using the diminutive nossíon for chickens emphasizes the vulnerability of the people and the speaker's corresponding gentleness, contrasting sharply with Jerusalem's violent actions of killing G615 and stoning G3036 the prophets.
- Sorrow over Rejection: The metaphor is ultimately part of a lament. The desire to gather the chickens is immediately followed by the declaration, "and ye would not!" Matthew 23:37, highlighting the theme of spurned divine love and protection.
In summary, while G3556 is one of the rarest words in the New Testament, its single use creates an unforgettable image. As nossíon, or chicken, it functions as the centerpiece of a metaphor in Matthew 23:37 that conveys profound themes of protective divine love, the vulnerability of God's children, and the deep sorrow that comes from their rejection of His shelter.
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