עוֹף (oph)
oph
bird
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The term ʿôp̄ refers simply to birds or fowl. In the Hebrew Bible, this word appears in contexts that distinguish flying creatures from land animals and sea life, serving as a basic classification for winged creatures. It is used both in descriptive narratives and in legal lists of clean and unclean animals.
Aramaic of ʿôp̄ (עוֹף "bird" H5775) appears in Daniel, where it maintains the same general meaning. The sources note its use in Aramaic as a direct cognate, preserving the semantic range across both biblical languages without significant shift in meaning or theological nuance.
This word functions primarily as a zoological category rather than a symbolic term. Unlike other animal terms that carry metaphorical weight, ʿôp̄ typically appears in straightforward enumerations or natural descriptions. Its limited occurrence reflects its role as a common noun for a familiar group of creatures, requiring no specialized interpretation beyond its literal sense.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word oph simply means bird, serving as a basic classification for flying creatures in the Bible. It appears in lists that distinguish winged animals from land and sea life, helping readers understand the diversity of God's creation. This straightforward usage reminds us that every creature, no matter how small or common, has its place in the natural order.
In Daniel 2:38, the phrase 'birds of the sky' is part of a broader description of Nebuchadnezzar’s dominion over all living things. This highlights the vast scope of human authority granted by God, encompassing not just people but every creature that flies, walks, or swims. Recognizing this order can bring a sense of peace, knowing that God cares for the details of His world.
Similarly, Daniel 7:6 uses the image of a leopard with 'wings of a bird' to describe a powerful and strange beast. Here, the word helps paint a vivid picture of something unusual and formidable, showing how biblical language uses familiar natural elements to convey complex spiritual truths about history and power.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ [the] bird[s] of1×
- a bird1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ע֖וֹף1×
- וְ/עוֹף\־1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:38
Wherever the children of men dwell, he has given the animals of the field and the birds of the sky into your hand, and has made you rule over them all. You are the head of gold.
This verse lists birds alongside land animals to illustrate the comprehensive scope of human dominion granted by God.
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Daniel 7:6
“After this I saw, and behold, another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The animal also had four heads; and dominion was given to it.
The phrase 'wings of a bird' is used metaphorically to describe the unusual and swift nature of a terrifying beast in Daniel's vision.