a primitive root; to swoop down upon (literally or figuratively); fly, rail.
Transliteration:ʻîyṭ
Pronunciation:eet
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb `{{H5860}}` (עִיט, ʻîyṭ) is identified as a primitive root, conveying the fundamental sense of a rapid, forceful descent. Its primary meaning is "to swoop down upon," typically associated with the sudden, decisive action of a bird of prey. This core meaning implies swiftness, precision, and often, an aggressive or seizing intent. The definition provided also extends its semantic range to include "fly" and "rail." While "fly" can be seen as a more general movement related to aerial motion, it likely retains the underlying connotation of swiftness inherent in "swooping." The meaning "rail," however, represents a significant figurative extension, suggesting a vehement, perhaps hostile, verbal attack or an oppressive descent upon someone. This figurative sense is not explicitly attested in the single biblical occurrence of the verb, which primarily emphasizes the literal act of swooping. Therefore, the core meaning remains anchored in the predatory action, with other definitions representing potential, but not necessarily realized, semantic extensions within the biblical corpus.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb `{{H5860}}` is remarkably rare, appearing only once in the Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible. This sole occurrence is found in the book of Job:
* [[Job 9:26]]: "They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey." (KJV)
* The Hebrew phrase is כְּנֶשֶׁר יָעוּט עֲלֵי אֹכֶל (kənešer ya‘ûṭ ‘alê ’ōḵel), which translates literally as "like an eagle that swoops down upon food/prey."
* In this context, Job is lamenting the brevity and swift passage of his days, comparing them to various rapidly moving entities. The imagery of an eagle swooping down upon its prey powerfully conveys speed, decisiveness, and an unstoppable trajectory. The focus is on the swiftness of the action, mirroring the rapid decline of Job's life and fortunes. This usage aligns perfectly with the literal aspect of the "swoop down" definition and does not engage the figurative "rail" meaning. The verb here serves to intensify the metaphor of fleeting time by invoking a natural phenomenon characterized by extreme velocity and singular focus.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word to `{{H5860}}` is the noun `{{H5861}}` (עַיִט, ʻayiṭ), which means "bird of prey," "vulture," or "ravenous bird." This noun is derived from the same root and describes the agent that performs the action of swooping. Examples include:
* [[Job 28:7]]: "There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen." (Here, referring to the keen sight of a bird of prey).
* [[Isaiah 46:11]]: "Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country..." (Here, the "ravenous bird" is a metaphor for Cyrus, an instrument of divine purpose, emphasizing swift and decisive action).
The semantic field of `{{H5860}}` also connects to broader concepts such as:
* **Predation and Seizing:** The act of hunting, capturing, and devouring.
* **Swiftness and Speed:** The inherent rapidity of the "swooping" action.
* **Decisiveness and Purposefulness:** The focused intent behind the descent.
* **Unstoppable Force:** The imagery often conveys an action that cannot be resisted once initiated.
### Theological Significance
Given its singular occurrence, the theological significance of the verb `{{H5860}}` must be primarily drawn from its context in [[Job 9:26]] and its connection to the related noun `{{H5861}}`.
1. **The Fleetingness of Life:** In Job's lament, the swiftness of the eagle's swoop serves as a stark metaphor for the rapid, unrecoverable passage of human life. This highlights the brevity of existence and the transient nature of earthly experience, a frequent theme in wisdom literature. It implicitly points to the need for understanding life's ultimate source and purpose beyond its temporal limitations.
2. **Divine Sovereignty and Action (Implied):** While not directly depicting God's action, the imagery of a powerful, swift, and decisive movement (like an eagle's swoop) is often used elsewhere in Scripture to describe God's interventions or His instruments (e.g., the "ravenous bird" in [[Isaiah 46:11]] as an agent of divine counsel). This suggests that the concept evoked by `{{H5860}}` can be extended to God's sovereign control over events, His ability to act swiftly and decisively to fulfill His purposes, whether in judgment or deliverance.
3. **Nature as a Witness to Truth:** The use of a natural phenomenon (an eagle's hunt) to illustrate a profound truth about human existence underscores the biblical principle that creation itself can bear witness to spiritual realities and the wisdom of the Creator.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb `{{H5860}}` (עִיט, ʻîyṭ) fundamentally means "to swoop down upon," primarily in the context of a bird of prey. Its extreme rarity, appearing only once in [[Job 9:26]], underscores its specific and potent imagery. In this sole instance, it powerfully describes the swift, decisive action of an eagle seizing its prey, serving as a vivid metaphor for the rapid and unstoppable passage of Job's days. While its base definition includes "fly" and "rail," the biblical usage focuses exclusively on the "swooping" aspect. The verb is closely linked to the noun `{{H5861}}` (עַיִט), meaning "bird of prey," which is used more frequently to denote agents of swift, decisive action, sometimes in the context of divine judgment or purpose. The theological significance of `{{H5860}}` thus rests on its contribution to the biblical theme of the fleetingness of human life and, by extension, points to the swift and sovereign nature of divine action, even if indirectly.
TRV