ἀετός (aetos)
aetos
eagle
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun aetos refers to the eagle, a bird of prey known for its strength and keen sight. In both the Septuagint and the New Testament, it serves as a powerful symbol of swift deliverance and protective care. This imagery appears most notably in Luke 9:58, where Jesus describes His own lack of earthly resting places by contrasting them with the nests of foxes and birds, including the eagle.
While the word generally denotes an eagle, context matters when discussing scavenging behavior. In Matthew 24:28 and Luke 17:37, Jesus uses a proverb about eagles gathering where there is carcass matter. Lexical notes suggest that in these specific instances of feeding on dead flesh, the term might actually refer to a vulture, which resembles an eagle but feeds on carrion rather than hunting live prey.
The word appears five times in Scripture, with significant weight in Revelation 12:14. Here, the woman is given "two wings of a great eagle" to flee into the wilderness, echoing the Exodus narrative where God carried Israel on eagles' wings (Exodus 19:4). This usage highlights divine power and the ability to transcend ordinary limitations, reinforcing the theme of God’s faithful protection during times of crisis.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The eagle stands as one of Scripture’s most striking images of divine protection. In Revelation 12:14, the woman is given two wings of a great eagle to flee into the wilderness. This echoes God’s promise in Exodus to carry Israel on eagles’ wings, reminding us that He provides swift deliverance when we face overwhelming odds.
Even in Jesus’ teaching about His own humble path, the eagle appears alongside foxes and birds (Luke 9:58), showing that while God offers protection, His servants often walk a road without earthly comfort. The imagery reassures us that our safety rests not in our strength, but in His faithful care.
When life feels chaotic or threatening, remember that the same power that lifts the eagle above the storm is at work for you. You are held by a God who sees clearly and acts swiftly on your behalf.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- eagle2×
- vultures.1×
- vultures1×
- as an eagle1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀετοῦ2×
- ἀετῷ1×
- ἀετοί.1×
- ἀετοὶ1×
Key Verses
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Revelation of John 12:14
Two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, so that she might be nourished for a time, times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
This verse uses the eagle’s wings to symbolize God’s supernatural ability to provide rapid escape and nourishment during persecution, directly echoing the Exodus deliverance.
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Revelation of John 8:13
I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the other blasts of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to sound!”
Here an eagle cries out a warning in midheaven, using its high vantage point to announce impending judgment with urgent clarity.
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Revelation of John 4:7
The first creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf, the third creature had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle.
The fourth living creature is described as like a flying eagle, representing the glory and swiftness of God’s presence in heaven.