עָגוּר (a.gur)
a.gur
crane
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun agur refers to a specific type of bird, though its exact identity remains uncertain among scholars. The sources suggest it likely denotes a crane, though some translations have rendered it as a thrush or swallow. This uncertainty stems from the word’s rarity and the difficulty in matching ancient terminology to modern ornithology with precision.
Despite this ambiguity, the word carries significant poetic weight in its two biblical occurrences. In Isaiah 38:14 and Jeremiah 8:7, agur is used metaphorically to describe the behavior of these birds. The text notes that they observe the timing of their migrations or seasons with instinctive regularity. This natural reliability serves as a stark contrast to the spiritual unfaithfulness of Israel, who failed to recognize God’s appointed times despite watching such clear signs in nature.
The comparison highlights a common biblical theme: creation often demonstrates obedience and awareness that humanity struggles to maintain. By pointing to the crane’s instinctual faithfulness, the prophets underscore the depth of their audience’s failure to heed divine instruction. The word itself does not appear elsewhere in Scripture, making these isolated references all the more striking for their vivid imagery.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word agur appears only twice in Scripture, referring to a bird likely identified as a crane. In Isaiah 38:14 and Jeremiah 8:7, the prophets use this creature not for ornithological detail, but as a mirror for human behavior. The text highlights how these birds instinctively recognize their seasons and migration times with perfect reliability.
For your faith, this offers a gentle rebuke wrapped in nature’s beauty. While the crane follows its created instincts without fail, God’s people often struggle to discern His timing or heed His law. It reminds us that spiritual awareness requires more than just observing the world; it demands an attentive heart toward divine instruction.
When you feel confused about God’s direction, look to the consistency of creation as a starting point for trust. The same Creator who programmed instinct into the crane also offers clear guidance through His word. Let this rare image encourage you to seek that guidance with greater diligence and hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ a crane1×
- a crane1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עָגוּר֙1×
- וְ/עָג֔וּר1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 38:14
I chattered like a swallow or a crane. I moaned like a dove. My eyes weaken looking upward. Lord, I am oppressed. Be my security.”
This verse uses the crane’s chattering as a metaphor for Isaiah’s own pain, contrasting the bird’s natural sound with the prophet’s desperate plea for security.
-
Jeremiah 8:7
Yes, the stork in the sky knows her appointed times. The turtledove, the swallow, and the crane observe the time of their coming; but my people don’t know Yahweh’s law.
Here the crane serves as a sharp contrast to Israel, highlighting how even wild birds know their appointed times while God’s people ignore His law.