or נֹצָה; feminine active participle of נָצָה in the sense of flying; a pinion (or wing feather); often (collectively) plumage; feather(-s), ostrich.
Transliteration:nôwtsâh
Pronunciation:no-tsaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H5133 (נוֹצָה, *nôwtsâh*) is a feminine active participle derived from the verb `{{H5349}}` (נָצָה, *nātsâh*), which means "to fly" or "to soar." Consequently, nôwtsâh fundamentally denotes "that which flies" or, more specifically, "that which enables flight." Its core meaning centers on the physical components of avian locomotion. The semantic range of nôwtsâh encompasses "a pinion" or "wing feather," and often, when used collectively, refers to "plumage" or "feathers" in general. In at least one instance, it is clearly associated with the "ostrich," likely highlighting its distinctive feathers. The word thus describes the essential epidermal appendages that characterize birds and facilitate their aerial movement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H5133 appears in four distinct passages within the Hebrew Bible, each offering unique contextual insights:
* **[[Leviticus 1:16]]**: In the context of the burnt offering of a bird, the priest is instructed to "remove its crop with its nôwtsâh (feathers) and throw them beside the altar on the east side, in the place for ashes." Here, nôwtsâh refers to the feathers attached to the bird's digestive tract, explicitly identified as an unclean part to be discarded. This highlights the meticulous demands of purity and separation in cultic worship, where even the physical components of a sacrifice must conform to specific regulations. The feathers, in this instance, are waste, not sacred.
* **[[Ezekiel 17:3]]**: In the allegorical riddle concerning two eagles and a vine, the prophet describes "a great eagle with great wings, long nôwtsâh (feathers), full of plumage of many colors." This eagle represents the king of Babylon. The "long feathers" symbolize the vast reach, power, and perhaps the diverse peoples or resources under the dominion of this powerful empire. The imagery conveys majesty, extensive influence, and formidable strength.
* **[[Ezekiel 17:7]]**: Continuing the same allegory, "there was another great eagle with great wings and many nôwtsâh (feathers)." This second eagle represents Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Similar to the first instance, the "many feathers" here emphasize the extensive power, vastness, and perhaps the numerous armies or subjects of the Egyptian kingdom. Both eagles, characterized by their impressive feathers, are symbols of formidable earthly powers.
* **[[Job 39:13]]**: Describing the ostrich, the text states, "The nôwtsâh (feathers) of the ostrich flap joyfully, but are they the feathers of the stork or the falcon?" This verse describes the ostrich's unique characteristics. While the ostrich possesses impressive feathers and wings, it cannot truly fly like other birds. The use of nôwtsâh here points to the physical appearance of feathers, contrasting the ostrich's "joyful flapping" with its lack of aerial prowess compared to other birds of flight. It underscores the distinctiveness of God's creation and perhaps subtly hints at the limitations of mere appearance.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of H5133 is enriched by examining its relationship to other Hebrew terms and broader biblical concepts:
* **`{{H5349}}` (נָצָה, *nātsâh*)**: This is the root verb from which nôwtsâh is derived, meaning "to fly, to soar." The direct etymological link emphasizes the functional purpose of feathers in enabling flight.
* **`{{H3671}}` (כָּנָף, *kānāph*)**: Meaning "wing," "extremity," or "corner." While nôwtsâh refers specifically to the feathers, kānāph denotes the entire wing structure. Feathers are an integral part of the kānāph, but kānāph has a broader semantic range, including metaphorical uses for protection (e.g., God's wings), the "skirts" of a garment, or the "ends" of the earth.
* **`{{H6699}}` (צִפּוֹר, *tsippôr*)**: A general term for "bird" or "fowl." nôwtsâh describes a characteristic feature of the tsippôr.
* **Concepts of Flight and Power**: The recurring imagery of birds and their feathers in prophetic literature (e.g., Ezekiel) often symbolizes powerful nations, their reach, and their ability to conquer or dominate. This connects nôwtsâh to themes of earthly authority and dominion.
* **Divine Design and Creation**: The detailed descriptions of birds, including their feathers, in passages like Job, underscore the intricate and diverse nature of God's creation, demonstrating His wisdom and power in designing living creatures.
* **Purity and Separation**: In Leviticus, the disposal of feathers highlights the meticulous requirements for holiness and separation in worship, distinguishing between what is acceptable and what is profane in God's sight.
### Theological Significance
The word nôwtsâh, though appearing infrequently, carries several layers of theological significance:
* **God's Sovereignty in Creation**: The existence and function of feathers point directly to the Creator's meticulous design. From the powerful eagles of Ezekiel to the peculiar ostrich in Job, each creature's unique characteristics, including its nôwtsâh, reflect God's wisdom and sovereign hand in establishing the natural order. Even the ostrich, which "flaps joyfully" but cannot fly like other birds ([[Job 39:13]]), is part of God's inscrutable yet perfect design.
* **Symbolism of Earthly Power and Dominion**: In Ezekiel's prophecy, the "long feathers" and "many feathers" of the great eagles serve as potent metaphors for the extensive reach, formidable strength, and vast dominion of powerful earthly kingdoms (Babylon and Egypt). This imagery underscores that while these powers may appear grand and far-reaching, their might is ultimately derived from and subject to God's overarching sovereignty. God uses such powers as instruments in His divine plan, even as He judges them.
* **Holiness and Purity in Worship**: The instruction in [[Leviticus 1:16]] to remove and discard the nôwtsâh (feathers) from the bird offering emphasizes the strict demands of holiness in approaching God. The feathers, as part of the bird's unclean digestive system, represent what is unfit for the holy altar. This teaches the necessity of internal and external purity in worship, where only the clean and acceptable is offered to a holy God.
* **Contrast of Appearance and Reality**: The description of the ostrich's nôwtsâh in Job highlights a tension between outward appearance and functional reality. While the ostrich has impressive feathers, it lacks the true flight capability of other birds. This can serve as a subtle theological reminder that outward show or perceived potential does not always equate to actual ability or divine purpose. God's ways are often beyond human comprehension, and His design, even when seemingly paradoxical, is perfect.
### Summary
H5133 (נוֹצָה, *nôwtsâh*) primarily denotes "feathers" or "plumage," derived from the verb "to fly." Its biblical occurrences reveal a multifaceted significance: In [[Leviticus 1:16]], nôwtsâh represents a discarded, unclean part of a sacrifice, emphasizing cultic purity. In [[Ezekiel 17:3]] and [[Ezekiel 17:7]], the "feathers" of great eagles symbolize the extensive power, vast reach, and formidable nature of earthly empires. Finally, in [[Job 39:13]], the "feathers" of the ostrich highlight the unique and sometimes paradoxical aspects of God's creation. Theologically, nôwtsâh points to God's intricate design in creation, serves as a metaphor for the scope of human power (which remains subordinate to divine sovereignty), and underscores the meticulous demands of holiness in divine worship. It speaks to both the beauty and the functional purpose inherent in God's created order.
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