### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word ὄρνις (órnis, `{{G3733}}`) primarily denotes "a bird." Its etymological root is often linked to ὄρος (óros), meaning "mountain" or "high place," suggesting a creature that "rises in the air." While the general semantic range of ὄρνις encompasses any avian species, its specific usage within the New Testament is notably narrowed. In the two instances where it appears, ὄρνις refers exclusively to a "hen" or "female domestic fowl," highlighting a particular type of bird known for its maternal care and protective instincts. This specialization of meaning is crucial for understanding its profound metaphorical application.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ὄρνις (órnis, `{{G3733}}`) appears only twice in the New Testament, both times in the Synoptic Gospels, within the context of Jesus' lament over Jerusalem:
* [[Matthew 23:37]]: "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]]: "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!"
In these parallel passages, Jesus employs ὄρνις within a poignant and powerful metaphor. He compares His fervent desire to protect and gather the people of Jerusalem to the tender, self-sacrificial act of a hen gathering her chicks under her wings. The imagery evokes profound maternal care, vulnerability, and an intense longing for intimacy and safety. The immediate context is one of divine lament over Jerusalem's consistent rejection of God's messengers throughout history, culminating in their rejection of Jesus Himself. The phrase "and you were not willing" underscores the tragic freedom of human will to resist divine love and protection, leading to an impending judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
While ὄρνις (órnis, `{{G3733}}`) is specific to a hen, it connects to broader biblical themes through its metaphorical usage:
* **General Terms for Birds:** Other Greek words, such as πετεινόν (peteinon, `{{G4071}}`), are used more generally for "bird" or "winged creature." The deliberate choice of ὄρνις emphasizes the domestic, nurturing, and protective aspect, rather than just the generic avian nature.
* **Maternal Imagery of God:** The metaphor of a hen gathering her chicks resonates deeply with other biblical portrayals of God's protective and parental love. Similar imagery is found in the Old Testament, such as God sheltering His people "under the shadow of His wings" (e.g., [[Psalm 17:8]], [[Psalm 36:7]], [[Psalm 91:4]]), or likening His care to an eagle hovering over its young ([[Deuteronomy 32:11]]). This highlights a tender, nurturing facet of divine character.
* **Gathering (ἐπισυνάγω):** The verb "to gather" (ἐπισυνάγω, episynago, `{{G1996}}`) is significant. In other contexts, it can refer to the eschatological gathering of Israel or the church. Here, it signifies a protective, intimate, and salvific act of drawing people into safety and fellowship.
* **Lament and Prophetic Warning:** The passage in which ὄρνις appears is a lament, echoing the prophetic laments over Israel's unfaithfulness (e.g., [[Isaiah 1:2-4]]). It serves not only as an expression of sorrow but also as a dire warning of the consequences of rejecting God's overtures of grace.
### Theological Significance
The single, yet profoundly moving, application of ὄρνις (órnis, `{{G3733}}`) in the New Testament carries immense theological weight:
* **Divine Compassion and Protective Love:** The image of the hen vividly portrays God's (and specifically Jesus') profound compassion and yearning to protect His people. It is a love that is tender, vulnerable, and self-sacrificial, as a hen exposes herself to danger to shield her young. This metaphor speaks to the depth of divine solicitude for humanity.
* **Maternal Aspect of God's Character:** While God is predominantly revealed in masculine terms in Scripture, this metaphor introduces a powerful maternal dimension to His love. It emphasizes the nurturing, warm, and comforting aspects of His care, highlighting a holistic understanding of divine parenthood.
* **The Tragedy of Rejected Grace:** The poignancy of the metaphor is amplified by Jerusalem's refusal: "and you were not willing." This underscores the tragic reality of human free will and its capacity to reject even the most tender and earnest expressions of divine love and protection. It reveals the sorrow of God over humanity's persistent rebellion.
* **Prophetic Foreboding and Unrequited Love:** The lament functions as a prophetic warning of impending judgment (historically, the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70) that results from their rejection. Yet, even in this warning, there is an underlying current of unrequited love, demonstrating God's enduring desire for His people's salvation despite their obstinacy.
### Summary
The Greek word ὄρνις (órnis, `{{G3733}}`) primarily means "bird" but is specifically used in the New Testament to denote a "hen." Its two occurrences, in [[Matthew 23:37]] and [[Luke 13:34]], are central to Jesus' poignant lament over Jerusalem. In this powerful metaphor, Jesus compares His fervent desire to gather and protect the people of Jerusalem to a hen gathering her chicks under her wings. This imagery profoundly illuminates God's tender, compassionate, and protective love, revealing a maternal aspect of divine care. Simultaneously, it underscores the tragic reality of human free will in rejecting such grace and the sorrow of God over unrequited love. The word ὄρνις, though rare, thus conveys a deep theological insight into the character of Jesus and the nature of His mission.
TRV