### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **renen**, represented by `{{H7443}}`, is understood as **an ostrich (from its wail)** and idiomatically as **goodly**. It appears only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the Bible, making its specific context essential to its meaning.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H7443}}` is in the book of Job. In a discourse where God is highlighting His creative power and wisdom, He asks Job a rhetorical question. The word is used in its idiomatic sense of **goodly** to describe the wings of one bird in contrast to another, stating, "Gavest thou the **goodly** wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?" [[Job 39:13]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words from its only context in [[Job 39:13]] are crucial for understanding the imagery of birds and wings in scripture:
* `{{H3671}}` **kânâph** (a wing; ...skirt...): This word for wing is used for literal flight but also metaphorically for divine protection and refuge. For instance, in [[Ruth 2:12]], a blessing is given to Ruth who has come to trust under the LORD's **wings**.
* `{{H84}}` **ʼebrâh** ({a pinion}; feather, wing): This term, also meaning wing or feather, is used to describe God's protective covering. It appears in [[Psalms 91:4]], which says, "He shall cover thee with his **feathers**, and under his wings shalt thou trust."
* `{{H2624}}` **chăçîydâh** (a stork; [idiom] feather, stork): While translated as "feathers" in [[Job 39:13]], this word typically refers to the **stork**, a bird noted for its migratory patterns, as seen in [[Jeremiah 8:7]] where the **stork** in the heaven knows its appointed times.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H7443}}` is derived entirely from its singular use in the book of Job.
* **Divine Sovereignty:** The mention of **goodly** wings is part of God's larger speech emphasizing His absolute authority and wisdom over creation, which is beyond human understanding [[Job 39:13]].
* **Purpose in Creation:** The verse contrasts the beautiful wings of one bird with those of the ostrich. This highlights that God assigns different attributes and purposes to His creations, illustrating a divine design that humans cannot fully grasp.
* **Metaphorical Protection:** While `{{H7443}}` points to the aesthetic quality of creation, its surrounding terms like **kânâph** (wing) and **ʼebrâh** (feather) are used elsewhere to build a powerful theological picture of God as a refuge who covers and protects His people ([[Ruth 2:12]], [[Psalms 91:4]]).
### Summary
In summary, `{{H7443}}` **renen** is a term whose meaning as **goodly** is exclusively defined by its context in [[Job 39:13]]. While it appears just once, its placement within a significant discourse on God's creative power, and its association with key Hebrew words for wings and feathers, gives it a distinct role. It serves as a reminder of the beauty and mysterious purpose embedded in the natural world by its Creator.
TRV