Swallow
SWALLOW
The well-known bird of passage, which is so common both in our country, in Europe, and in the East, Psa 84:3 ; Isa 38:14 ; Jer 8:7 . See CRANE, and SPARROW.
Fuente: American Tract Society Bible Dictionary
Swallow
Swallow. The swallow is a migratory bird quite familiar to residents of the Holy Land. Frequently on the move to warmer climates, swallows gather in huge flocks to travel thousands of miles. A chattering flock can make quite a racket (Isa 38:14). The psalmist makes an interesting distinction between the sparrow, who finds a home, and the swallow, who gets a nest (Psa 84:3). Only a permanent resident needs a home. Some translations render the Hebrew word for swallow as thrush (Jer 8:7), (NIV, NASB) or wryneck (Jer 8:7), (NEB).
Swallows spend most of their time in the air, catching insects on the wing. They are beautiful birds, brightly colored, with forked tails.
Fuente: Plants Animals Of Bible
Swallow
is the rendering, in the A.’V., of two Heb. words, and possibly the true meaning of a third. None of them, however, are very clearly identifiable ac: cording to modern scientific classification.
1. , deror, prop. liberty (as often rendered), i.e. strictly swiftness, occurs in two passages only with reference to a bird: Psa 84:3 (Hebrews 4), The swallow [hath found] a nest; Pro 26:2, as the swallow by flying. The ancient versions, in the former passage, understand a turtle-dove (Sept. ; Vulg. turtur), and in the latter a sparrow (, passer). The radical signification of the word favors the idea that it may include the swallow, with other swiftly flying or free birds. The old commentators (so the rabbins), except Bochart (Hieroz. 2, 590 sq.), who renders it columba fera; apply it to the swallow, from the love of freedom in this bird and the impossibility of retaining it in captivity (De Wette, Umbreit, Ewald, Gesenius, Thesaur. p. 355). It is more likely that it was so named from its rapidity of flight. It probably, therefore, is-more properly the swift or black martin, and probably the dururi, mentioned by Forskal, as migrating to Alexandria from Upper Egypt about the end of October (Descript. Anim. p. 10). The frequenting of public buildings by this class of birds (Herod. 1; 159; Elian, V. H. 5, 17) is proverbial (Schultens, Monum. Vett. Arob. Carm. p. 1; Niebuhr, Reisen, 2, 270)., SEE SPARROW.
2. , agur, the twitterer, also occurs twice: Isa 38:14, Like a crane [or] a swallow, so did I chatter; Jer 8:7, The turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time. In both these passages it is associated with a third term, , sus (v.r. , sis), rendered crane, but in the former passage the connective (and, or) is wanting. The Sept. in Isaiah renders both words by the single one , Vulg. pullus hirundinis; and in Jeremiah , hirn no et ciconia; thus agreeing with the A.V. in denoting the swallow. Bochart, however (Hieroz. 2, 614 sq.), maintains that agur is the proper Hebrew designation of the crane. He compares the word with the Chald. , kurkeya, the Arab. kur’ki, the Gr. , the Welsh garan, and the Germ. kran, all of which are, like it, onomatopoetic. The twittering or querulous sound () and the migratory habit are both characteristics, which meet in the crane; its cry is often compared by the poets with that of a person in distress or grief, and its migratory habits are frequently dwelt upon by ancient writers (Aristot. Anim. 8:12; Elian, Aim. 3, 13, 23; Pliny, 10:31; Quint. Curt. Smyrn. 2, 107; 13:102 sq.). This view has been followed by Rosenmller, Maurer, and Henderson in their comments on Isaiah. Gesenius, though seeming to favor this view in his commentary on Isaiah, repudiates it in his Thesaurus, where he treats agr as a verbal adjective signifying chattering or twittering, and regards it as an epithet of the swallow in the passage in, Isaiah, and as a designation of the swallow in that in Jeremiah. This is followed by Knobel (Der Prophet Jesaia erkldrt). It is in favor of this that in the former the copulative is wanting between the two words; but this may be explained as a case of asyndeton (as in Hos 6:3; Hab 3:11, etc.); whereas the insertion of the in the other passage seems clearly to prove that agr and sus denote different birds. Hitzig, indeed, proposes to strike out this copula, but without sufficient reason. Maurer derives from an Arabic root signifying turbavit aquam, so as to designate an aquatic bird; Knobel would trace it to another Arabic root meaning to mourn piteously. The , sts, if distinct from the , agr is probably a large species of swallow, and the latter term, when not a’ mere epithet of the former, probably signifies a peculiar kind of heron. Sis, however, may perhaps be an imitative name expressive of the swallow’s voice or twitter; and in Dr. Kennicott’s remark that in thirteen codices of Jeremiah he read Issi for sis we find the source of the ancient fable of the Egyptian Isis being transformed into a swallow. SEE CRANE.
Whatever be the precise rendering, the characters ascribed in the several passages where the names occur are strictly applicable to the swallow, viz. its swiftness of flight; its nesting in the buildings of the Temple, its mournful, garrulous note, and its regular migration, shared, indeed, in common with several others. We may observe that the garrulity of the swallow was proverbial among the ancients (see Nonn. Dionys. 2. 133, and Aristoph. Batr. 93). Hence its epithet , the twitterer, , Athen. 622.
See Anacr. 104, and , Hesiod, Op. 566; and Virgil, Georg. 4:306. Although Aristotle, in his Natural History, and Pliny, following him, have given currency to the fable that many swallows bury themselves during winter, yet the regularity of their migration, alluded to by the prophet Jeremiah, was familiarly recognized by the ancients. See Anacreon (Od. 33). The ditty quoted by Athen. (360) from Theognis is well known , , , . So Ovid (Fast. 2, 853), Praenuntia veris hirundo.
The species of Syria and Palestine, so far as they are known, appear all to be the same as those of Europe. The following are the most abundant: 1. Cypselus spus the common swift or black martin, distinguished by its larger size, short legs, very long wings, forked tail, and by all the toes of the feet turning forward; these, armed with small, crooked, and very sharp claws, enable the bird to hang against the sides of walls, but it cannot rise from the ground on account of the length of its wings. The last two, but more particularly this species, we take to be the derar, on account of the name durari, already mentioned; which was most probably applied to it because the swift martin prefers towers, minarets, and ruins to build in, and is, besides, a bird to which the epithet free is particularly applicable. On the European coast of the Mediterranean it bears the name of barbota, and in several parts of France, including Paris, is known by the vulgar name of le Juif, the Jew; and, finally, being the largest and most conspicuous bird of the species in Palestine, it is the type of the heraldic martlet, originally applied in the science of blazon as the especial distinction of Crusader pilgrims, being borrowed from Oriental nations, where the bird is likewise honored with the term hagi, or pilgrim, to designate its migratory habits. The deror being mentioned as building o0 the altar seems to imply a greater generalization of the name than we have given it; for habits of nesting in immediate contact with man belong only to the house and window swallows; but in the present instance the expression is not meant to convey a literal sense, but must be taken as referring to the whole structure of the Temple, and in this view the swift bears that character more completely than the other. It is not necessary to dilate further on the history of a genus of birds so universally known. 2. Flirundo rustica, or domestica (Var. Cahirica), the chimney swallow, with a forked tail, marked with a row of white spots, whereof Hirundo Syriaca, if at all different, is most likely only a variety. 3. Chelidon urbica, the martin, or common window swallow. 4. Cotyle riparia, sand-martin, or shore-bird, not uncommon in Northern Egypt, near the mouths of the Delta, and in Southern Palestine, about Gaza, where it nestles in holes, even on the sea- shore. Besides these, the Eastern or russet swallow (Hirundo rufula, Tem.), which nestles generally in fissures in rocks, and the crag-martin (Cotyle rupestris, Linn.), which is confined to mountain gorges and desert districts, are also common. (See Ibis, 1, 27; 2, 386.) The crag-martin is the only member of the genus which does not migrate from Palestine in winter. Of the genus Cypselus (swift), besides the one first noted above, the splendid alpine swift (Cypselus melba, Linn.) may be seen in all suitable localities. A third species, peculiar, so far as is yet known, to the north-east of Palestine, has recently been described under the name of Cypselus Galileensis. See Tristram, Nat. Hist. of the Bible, p. 204; Wood, Bible Annals, p. 381 sq.; Lewysohn, Zoologie des Talmuds, p. 206. SEE BIRD.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Swallow
(1.) Heb. sis (Isa. 38:14; Jer. 8:7), the Arabic for the swift, which “is a regular migrant, returning in myriads every spring, and so suddenly that while one day not a swift can be See n in the country, on the next they have overspread the whole land, and fill the air with their shrill cry.” The swift (cypselus) is ordinarily classed with the swallow, which it resembles in its flight, habits, and migration.
(2.) Heb. deror, i.e., “the bird of freedom” (Ps. 84:3; Prov. 26:2), properly rendered swallow, distinguished for its swiftness of flight, its love of freedom, and the impossibility of retaining it in captivity. In Isa. 38:14 and Jer. 8:7 the word thus rendered (‘augr) properly means “crane” (as in the R.V.).
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Swallow
deror, from darar, “free, spontaneous motion” (Psa 84:3). (See BIRD.) ‘Agur is probably the “crane”, from ga’ar “to chatter”, as Latin grus is related to garrio, in Isa 38:14, and sus (the Italian zisilla) the “swallow”: “like a swallow or a crane.” In Pro 26:2 the sense is “as the bird (“sparrow”) by wandering, as the swallow (deror) by flying, never lights upon us, but flies to the winds, so the curse for which we have given no just cause shall not come” to hurt us; contradicting the common superstition that a curse brings its fulfilment, however undeserved; nay Providence shields His people from Satan’s and his agents’ malice. Balaam could not curse Israel whom God had blessed (Deu 23:5), nor Shimei David, nay God requited David good instead (2Sa 16:5-12; Psa 109:28).
Fuente: Fausset’s Bible Dictionary
Swallow
SWALLOW.1. drr (Psa 84:3, Pro 26:2). The allusion to the nesting of this bird in the sanctuary and its swift (unalighting) flight fits the swallow. 2. gr (Isa 38:14, Jer 8:7). See Crane. 3. ss, ss, should be tr. [Note: translate or translation.] as in RV [Note: Revised Version.] (Isa 38:14, Jer 8:7), swallow instead of crane (AV [Note: Authorized Version.] ). See Crane. Some ten species of swallows and swifts or martins are common in the Holy Land.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Swallow
swalo (, deror; , strouthos, in Proverbs and Psalms, , chelidon, in Isa; Latin Hirundo rustica): A small long-winged bird of exhaustless flight, belonging to the family Hirundinidae. Deror means the bird of freedom, and as the swallow is of tireless wing, it has been settled upon as fitting the requirements of the text. In the passages where aghur is translated swallow, there is a mistake, that word referring to the crane. There is also a word, sus or ss, that means a rushing sound, that is incorrectly translated swallow, when it should be swift (Cypselus apus).
These birds are near relatives and so alike on the wing as to be indistinguishable to any save a close observer. Yet the Hebrews knew and made a difference. The swallow is a trifle larger and different in color. It remains all the year, while in numerous instances the swift migrates and is a regular sign of returning spring. The swallow is of long and tireless flight. The swift is so much faster that the sound of its wings can be heard when passing. The swallow plasters a mud nest under eaves, on towers, belfries, and close to human habitations. The swifts are less intimate, building in deserted places, under bridges and on rocky crevices. The swallows utter constantly a rather sweet low note; the swifts chatter harshly and incessantly at their nests. These differences are observable to the most careless people. Scientists separate the birds on account of anatomical structure also. Despite this, the birds are confused in most of our translations.
Like a swallow or a crane, so did I chatter;
I did moan as a dove; mine eyes fail with looking upward:
O Lord, I am oppressed, be thou my surety (Isa 38:14).
Here aghur is translated swallow and sus crane, which is clearly interchanging words, as the Arabic for swift is sus, the same as the Hebrew. The line should read, swift and crane. And another reason for changing swallow to swift, in this passage, lies in the fact that of the two birds the swift is the incessant and raucous chatterer, and this was the idea in the mind of Hezekiah when he sang his Trouble Song. Another incorrect reference is found in Jer 8:7 : Yea, the stork in the heavens knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle-dove and the swallow and the crane observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the law of Yahweh. Few swallows migrate. Returning swifts are one of the first signs of spring.
As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying,
So the curse that is causeless alighteth not (Pro 26:2).
This reference might apply to either, remembering always that the swift took its name from its exceptional flight, it being able to cover over 80 miles an hour. However, the swallow is credited with 800 miles in a night.
Yea, the sparrow hath found her a house,
And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young,
Even thine altars, O Yahweh of hosts,
My King, and my God (Psa 84:3).
Here is one instance, at least, where the swallow is at home and the translation correct. The swift might possibly have built in the temple: the swallow was sure to be there.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Swallow
Fig. 324SwiftDururi
The species of this bird in Syria and Palestine, so far as they are known, appear all to be the same as those of Europe: they are,
1.The chimney swallow, with a forked tail, marked with a row of white spots.
2.The martin or common window swallow.
3.Sand-martin or shore-bird, not uncommon in northern Egypt, near the mouths of the Delta, and in southern Palestine, about Gaza, where it nestles in holes, even on the sea-shore.
4.The swift or black martin, distinguished by its larger size, short legs, very long wings, forked tail, and by all the toes of the feet turning forward: these, armed with small, crooked, and very sharp claws, enable the bird to hang against the sides of walls, but it cannot rise from the ground on account of the length of its wings.
Fuente: Popular Cyclopedia Biblical Literature
Swallow
1. deror. This is interpreted ‘roving about,’ which agrees well with the habits of the swallow or swift. They come and go, and are not domesticated. Pro 26:2. In Psa 84:3 it is typical of the wanderer finding rest and protection in God’s house.
2. agur, mentioned with the word sis, translated ‘crane’ and ‘swallow;’ but sis doubtless refers to the swallow, and agur to the crane. The swallow (or perhaps the swift) is mentioned as ‘chattering,’ or having a ‘garrulous note,’ and it is migratory. Isa 38:14; Jer 8:7. Several species of the swallow frequent Palestine: the Hirundo rustica, H. rufula, etc. A species of swift finds the Jordan valley warm enough in the winter, and need not migrate.
Fuente: Concise Bible Dictionary
Swallow
Builds its nest in the sanctuary
Psa 84:3
Chattering of, figurative of the mourning of the afflicted
Isa 38:14
Migration of
Jer 8:7
Fuente: Nave’s Topical Bible
Swallow
Swallow. Hebrew, deror in Psa 84:3; Pro 26:2; Hebrew, ‘agur in Isa 38:14; Jer 8:7; but “crane” is more probably, the true signification of ‘agur, See Crane. The rendering of the Authorized Version for deror seems correct.
The characters ascribed in the passages, where the names occur , are strictly applicable to the swallow, namely, its swiftness of flight, its meeting in the buildings of the Temple, its mournful, garrulous note, and its regular migrations, shared indeed in common with several others. Many species of swallow occur in Palestine. All those common in England are found.
Fuente: Smith’s Bible Dictionary
Swallow
(noun)
Psa 84:3 (c) This bird is used to describe the apostasy of Israel. The altars of GOD should have been hot with fires for sacrifice. Instead they were so cold, neglected and unused that the birds felt free to make their nests in them.
Pro 26:2 (a) In this case the bird is used to illustrate GOD’s definite dealings with men. The swallow flies for a purpose, she knows where she is going, and what she is doing. So it is when GOD punishes sinners. It is an intelligent punishment.
Isa 38:14 (a) Hezekiah uses the mournful sounds of the swallow to illustrate the sadness of his own heart.
(verb)
Isa 25:8 (b) When our Lord returns for His people, they will not die, but will be caught up alive into Heaven. A victorious ascension will take the place of the sadness of death.
Isa 28:7 (b) The drunkard is conquered by the liquor. He becomes a slave to that which he drinks. He is submerged under the terrible appetite for wine.
Isa 49:19 (b) In this prophecy the Lord is informing us that the people who conquered Israel will be driven far away from them, and they will no longer be engulfed by their enemies, but will be free to expand their country.
Lam 2:2 (b) The wrath of GOD in conquering Israel and pouring out His wrath over them is described in this way. Israel was helpless in the hands of an angry GOD, and He consumed them in His wrath. This is in contrast, or perhaps, in comparison with verse 16 in which we find that the enemies of Israel engulfed them. From GOD’s standpoint He did it, but the enemies of Israel were the means and the agents by which GOD did it. (See also Jer 51:34).
Hos 8:8 (b) This action is used to describe the scattering of the Jews among the Gentiles in which they were absorbed after their dispersion.
Amo 8:4 (b) This describes the cruel power of the rich as they destroyed the poor, and the powerful as they destroyed the weak.
Oba 1:16 (b) The suicide of the heathen is described in this way. They drink iniquity, they live on their sins, they revel in rioting and drunkenness, and all of this serves to destroy the people.
Mat 23:24 (b) This figure describes the ease with which hypocrites believe impossible statements, and use them as though they were true.
1Co 15:54 (b) Here is a graphic description of the way in which death for the Christian will be abolished when CHRIST returns to catch up His church in the Rapture. The living Christians will be caught up to Heaven without dying.