passive part (but with active sense) of an unused root meaning to twitter; probably the swallow; swallow.
Transliteration:ʻâgûwr
Pronunciation:aw-goor'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H5693}}`, transliterated as *ʻâgûwr* (עָגוּר), is a passive participle derived from an unused root. Despite its passive form, it carries an active sense, denoting the "swallow." The etymological root, though unused elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible, is understood to convey the idea of "twittering" or "chattering." This suggests that the name of the bird is onomatopoeic, reflecting its characteristic high-pitched, rapid vocalizations. Thus, the core meaning of `{{H5693}}` is specifically the swallow, with an inherent semantic link to its distinctive sound.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word `{{H5693}}` appears in two significant passages within the Hebrew Bible, both of which highlight distinct aspects of the bird:
1. **[[Isaiah 38:14]]**: In this lament of King Hezekiah during his illness, he describes his mournful cry: "Like a swallow or a crane I twitter; I moan like a dove; my eyes are weary with looking upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my pledge!" Here, the `{{H5693}}` (swallow) is paired with the `{{H5494}}` (crane/swift) and the `{{H3123}}` (dove). The association with "twittering" (צִפְצֵף - *tsif-tsef*) directly connects to the onomatopoeic nature of `{{H5693}}`, emphasizing the weak, high-pitched, and perhaps inarticulate sounds of distress uttered by Hezekiah in his suffering. It portrays a cry born of weakness and desperation, a sound more akin to a bird's lament than a coherent human plea.
2. **[[Jeremiah 8:7]]**: This verse is part of a prophetic indictment against Judah for its spiritual blindness and disobedience. The prophet declares: "Even the stork in the heavens knows her appointed times, and the turtledove, the swift, and the swallow observe the time of their coming, but my people know not the rule of the Lord." Here, the `{{H5693}}` (swallow) is listed among other migratory birds (`{{H2624}}` - stork, `{{H8449}}` - turtledove, `{{H5494}}` - swift). The context emphasizes the birds' innate wisdom and obedience to the natural order established by God, specifically their unerring instinct concerning migration patterns and seasons. This natural discernment stands in stark contrast to Israel's profound spiritual ignorance and failure to recognize God's laws and purposes. The swallow, therefore, serves as a poignant example of creation's faithfulness, shaming humanity's unfaithfulness.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of `{{H5693}}` naturally leads to an exploration of other avian terms and related concepts:
* **Other Bird Species:**
* `{{H5494}}` (סוּס - *sûs*): Often translated as "crane" or "swift," appearing alongside `{{H5693}}` in [[Isaiah 38:14]] and [[Jeremiah 8:7]]. Its rapid flight and migratory habits are analogous to the swallow.
* `{{H1865}}` (דְּרוֹר - *derôr*): Translated as "sparrow" or "swallow" in [[Psalm 84:3]], though distinct from `{{H5693}}`. It also represents a small, agile bird associated with dwelling near the temple.
* `{{H2624}}` (חֲסִידָה - *chasîdâh*): The "stork," known for its migratory patterns and often associated with loyalty and piety, as seen in [[Jeremiah 8:7]].
* **Concepts:**
* **Lament and Distress:** In [[Isaiah 38:14]], the swallow's twittering sound evokes a sense of weakness, pain, and a cry for divine intervention.
* **Instinct and Divine Order:** In [[Jeremiah 8:7]], the swallow's migratory behavior highlights the inherent wisdom and adherence to natural laws embedded within creation by God, contrasting with human spiritual waywardness.
* **Onomatopoeia:** The very formation of `{{H5693}}` from a root meaning "to twitter" underscores the importance of sound in biblical Hebrew word formation and the vivid imagery it conveys.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H5693}}` is twofold, reflecting its dual contextual appearances:
1. **Human Frailty and Dependent Prayer:** In Hezekiah's lament ([[Isaiah 38:14]]), the swallow's twittering symbolizes the inarticulate, weak, and desperate cry of a human being in deep distress. It conveys the raw, unadorned vulnerability of one facing death, unable to articulate a sophisticated plea, but whose very sound expresses profound suffering and a longing for divine rescue. This underscores the theological truth that God hears even the most broken and inarticulate prayers, recognizing the heart's cry beyond the words. It highlights human dependence on God in moments of extreme weakness.
2. **Creation's Wisdom as a Rebuke to Human Folly:** In [[Jeremiah 8:7]], the swallow, along with other migratory birds, serves as a powerful theological metaphor. These creatures, guided by instinct, unerringly follow the divine order embedded in creation, knowing their "appointed times." This natural wisdom stands in stark contrast to the spiritual ignorance and disobedience of God's people, who, despite having revelation, fail to discern the "rule of the Lord." Theologically, this passage is a poignant rebuke, illustrating that even the animal kingdom, without explicit revelation, lives in greater harmony with divine principles than those who have been given the Law. It emphasizes God's consistent order in creation and humanity's unique capacity, and tragic failure, to deviate from His ways.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H5693}}`, *ʻâgûwr*, refers to the "swallow," a term likely derived from an onomatopoeic root signifying its characteristic "twittering" sound. Its two primary occurrences in the Old Testament offer distinct yet complementary theological insights. In [[Isaiah 38:14]], the swallow's twittering symbolizes the weak, desperate, and inarticulate lament of King Hezekiah in his illness, highlighting human frailty and the efficacy of even broken prayers before God. In [[Jeremiah 8:7]], the swallow's instinctive adherence to its migratory patterns serves as a profound contrast to Israel's spiritual blindness and disobedience, underscoring the wisdom inherent in God's creation and humanity's tragic failure to discern and follow divine ordinances. Thus, `{{H5693}}` is not merely a zoological term but a rich biblical symbol of both human vulnerability and the consistent order of God's created world, which implicitly rebukes human spiritual waywardness.
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