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.
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.
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.
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).
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