The crane is a large, long-legged, and long-necked bird that is mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word often translated as "crane" is "עָגוּר" (agur). Cranes are known for their gracefulness and their distinctive, trumpeting calls. They are migratory birds, often seen in large flocks, and are known for their elaborate courtship dances.

Biblical References:

1. Isaiah 38:14 : "Like a swallow or a crane, I chirp; I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weak as I look upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my security." In this verse, the prophet Isaiah uses the imagery of a crane to express a sense of desperation and longing. The crane's call is likened to the cry of someone in distress, seeking help from the Lord. This highlights the bird's symbolic association with lamentation and the human condition of seeking divine intervention.

2. Jeremiah 8:7 : "Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed times, and the turtledove, swift, and crane keep the time of their migration. But My people do not know the requirements of the LORD." Here, the crane is mentioned alongside other birds that are aware of their migratory patterns. This serves as a metaphor for the natural order and obedience to God's creation, contrasting with the disobedience of God's people who fail to recognize and follow His commandments.

Symbolism and Cultural Context:

In the biblical context, the crane is often associated with themes of migration, change, and the natural order established by God. The migratory behavior of cranes, which is predictable and orderly, serves as a metaphor for the faithfulness and reliability expected of God's people. The crane's ability to navigate vast distances and return to its place of origin is seen as a reflection of divine wisdom and guidance.

The crane's mournful call is also symbolic of lamentation and repentance. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, the cries of certain birds were often interpreted as omens or messages from the divine. Thus, the crane's call in the biblical text can be seen as a call to awareness and spiritual awakening.

Natural History:

Cranes are found in various parts of the world, including the regions surrounding the biblical lands. They are known for their impressive size, with some species standing over four feet tall. Cranes are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of plant and animal matter, and they typically inhabit wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural fields.

Their migratory patterns are well-documented, with some species traveling thousands of miles between their breeding and wintering grounds. This remarkable journey is a testament to their endurance and navigational skills, which have fascinated humans for centuries.

In summary, the crane in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of natural order, divine wisdom, and the call to spiritual awareness. Its presence in the scriptures invites reflection on the themes of obedience, repentance, and the search for God's guidance in the journey of life.Crane

The crane (Grus cinerea) is a native of Europe and Asia. It stand about four feet high. Its color is ashen gray, with face and neck nearly black. It feeds on seeds, roots, insects and small quadrupeds. It retires in winter to the warmer climates. (Jeremiah 8:7)

Crane

In Isaiah 38:14 Jeremiah 8:7, two birds are mentioned, the sus and the AGUR, the first rendered in our version crane, the second swallow. Bochart says the sus, or sis, is the swallow; the agur, the crane. The numidian crane, supposed to be referred to, is about three feet in length, is bluish-grey, with the cheeks, throat, breast, and tips of the long hinder feathers black, with a tuft of white feathers behind each eye. "Like a crane, or a swallow, so did I:chatter:" there is peculiar force and beauty in the comparison here made between the dying believer and migratory birds about to take their departure to a distinct but more genial clime. They linger in the scenes which they have frequented, but instinct compels them to remove.

(Isaiah 38:14; Jeremiah 8:7). In both of these passages the Authorized Version has reversed the Hebrew order of the words. "Crane or swallow" should be "swallow or crane," as in the Revised Version. The rendering is there correct. The Hebrew for crane is 'agur, the Grus cincerea, a bird well known in Palestine. It is migratory, and is distinguished by its loud voice, its cry being hoarse and melancholy. 1. (n.) A measure for fresh herrings, -- as many as will fill a barrel.

2. (n.) A wading bird of the genus Grus, and allied genera, of various species, having a long, straight bill, and long legs and neck.

3. (n.) A machine for raising and lowering heavy weights, and, while holding them suspended, transporting them through a limited lateral distance. In one form it consists of a projecting arm or jib of timber or iron, a rotating post or base, and the necessary tackle, windlass, etc.; -- so called from a fancied similarity between its arm and the neck of a crane See Illust. of Derrick.

4. (n.) An iron arm with horizontal motion, attached to the side or back of a fireplace, for supporting kettles, etc., over a fire.

5. (n.) A siphon, or bent pipe, for drawing liquors out of a cask.

6. (n.) A forked post or projecting bracket to support spars, etc., -- generally used in pairs. See Crotch, 2.

7. (v. t.) To cause to rise; to raise or lift, as by a crane; -- with up.

8. (v. t.) To stretch, as a crane stretches its neck; as, to crane the neck disdainfully.

9. (v. i.) to reach forward with head and neck, in order to see better; as, a hunter cranes forward before taking a leap.

CRANE

kran (`aghur; geranos; Latin Grus cinerea): A bird of the family gruidae. The crane is mentioned twice in the Bible: once on account of its voice (Isaiah 38:14: "Like a swallow or a crane, so did I chatter"); again because of the unforgettable picture these birds made in migration (Jeremiah 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." Some commentators have adduced reasons for dropping the crane from the ornithology of the Bible, but this never should be permitted. They were close relatives of stork, heron and ibis; almost as numerous as any of these, and residents of Palestine, except in migration. The two quotations concerning them fit with their history, and point out the two features that made them as noticeable as any birds of Palestine. Next to the ostrich and pelican they were the largest birds, having a wing sweep of 8 ft. from tip to tip and standing 4 ft. in height. In migration such immense flocks passed over Palestine as to darken the sky, and when they crossed the Red Sea they appeared to sweep from shore to shore, and so became the most noticeable migratory bird, for which reason, no doubt, they were included in Isaiah's reference to spring migration with the beloved doves, used in sacrifice and for caged pets, and with the swallows that were held almost sacred because they homed in temples. Not so many of them settled in Palestine as of the storks, but large flocks lived in the wilderness South of Jerusalem, and a few pairs homed near water as far north as Merom. The grayish-brown cranes were the largest, and there were also a crested, and a white crane. They nested on the ground or in trees and laid two large eggs, differing with species. The eggs of the brown bird were a light drab with brown speckles, and those of the white, rough, pale-blue with brown splotches. They were not so affectionate in pairs or to their young as storks, but were average parents. It is altogether probable that they were the birds intended by Isaiah, because they best suited his purpose, the crane and the swallow being almost incessant talkers among birds. The word "chatter," used in the Bible, exactly suits the notes of a swallow, but is much too feeble to be used in describing the vocalizing of the crane. They migrated in large wedge-shaped companies and cried constantly on wing. They talked incessantly while at the business of living, and even during the watches of the night they scarcely ceased passing along word that all was well, or sending abroad danger signals. The Arabs called the cry of the cranes "bellowing." We usually express it by whooping or trumpeting. Any of these words is sufficiently expressive to denote an unusual voice, used in an unusual manner, so that it appealed to the prophet as suitable for use in a strong comparison.

Gene Stratton-Porter

5693. agur -- (a kind of bird) perhaps a crane
... 5692, 5693. agur. 5694 . (a kind of bird) perhaps a crane. Transliteration:
agur Phonetic Spelling: (aw-goor') Short Definition: crane. ...
/hebrew/5693.htm - 6k

5483. cuwc -- a swallow, swift (type of bird)
... 5482b, 5483. cuwc. 5483a . a swallow, swift (type of bird). Transliteration:
cuwc Phonetic Spelling: (soos) Short Definition: crane. crane, horseback, ...
/hebrew/5483.htm - 5k

Letter C
... J. "Received 1834 * Crandall, Phineas "Received 1820 * Crandall, Smith "Received
1832 * Crandon, Philip "Received 1835 * Crane, Caleb "Received 1821 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter c.htm

Preaching by Moonlight
... I took horse at six, with William Crane and Francis Walker. ... However, William
Crane and I pushed on, and before seven reached Shrewsbury. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/preaching by moonlight.htm

1 to Pray Does not Imply that Without Prayer God Would not Give us ...
... 4. When we see a crane standing motionless on the side of a tank or lake, we may
suppose from his attitude that he is musing on the glory of God or the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/section ii 1 to pray.htm

Modern Library of the World's Best Books
... CONRAD, JOSEPH Victory 186 CORNEILLE and RACINE Six Plays of Corneille and Racine
194 CORVO, FREDERICK BARON A History of the Borgias 192 CRANE, STEPHEN The ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/modern library of the worlds.htm

The Hurt of the Daughter of My People
... Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the
swallow and the crane observe the time of their coming; but my people know not ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/the hurt of the daughter.htm

Of Good and Evil Speaking
... is less virtue in keeping silence well, than in speaking well; and therefore it
seems to me that a man ought to have a neck as long as a crane's, that, when he ...
/.../ugolino/the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xiv of good and.htm

Making a Skull Speak.
... contrivance operates; in the same manner as we have explained in the case of the
(attendant) youths, when, having procured the windpipe of a crane, [274] or ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter xli making a skull speak.htm

Wesley at Derry and Armagh
... Greek word. But he set us right, warmly assuring us that the English name
of the flower is not Crane's bill, but Geranium! Saturday ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley at derry and armagh.htm

Letter cxciii. To Meletius the Physician.
... I am not able to flee from the discomforts of winter so well as cranes are, although
for foreseeing the future I am quite as clever as a crane. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cxciii to meletius the.htm

Letter v. Society --Conversation.
... thought there was nothing but "Hamlet," and "Romeo and Juliet," and "Macbeth," and
"Richard III.," and "King Lear," and that one that Robson and Crane have"oh ...
/.../letter v societyconversation.htm

Crane (2 Occurrences)
... "Crane or swallow" should be "swallow or crane," as in the Revised Version. ... The Hebrew
for crane is 'agur, the Grus cincerea, a bird well known in Palestine. ...
/c/crane.htm - 12k

Stork (6 Occurrences)
... It is like the crane, but larger in size. ... But the crane eats moles, mice, lizards
and smaller animals it can capture, also frogs and fish. ...
/s/stork.htm - 14k

Swallow (38 Occurrences)
... In Isaiah 38:14 and Jeremiah 8:7 the word thus rendered (`augr) properly
means "crane" (as in the RV). Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/s/swallow.htm - 24k

Birds (125 Occurrences)
... These birds, and the crane as well, abounded in all countries known at that time
and were used for food according to the superstitions of different nations. ...
/b/birds.htm - 62k

Chatter (5 Occurrences)
... This word, which means to "peep," "twitter" or "chirp," as small birds do, is
translated "chatter" only in Isaiah 38:14, "Like a swallow or a crane, so did I ...
/c/chatter.htm - 8k

Traveler (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A commercial agent who travels for the purpose of receiving orders for
merchants, making collections, etc. 3. (n.) A traveling crane. See under Crane. ...
/t/traveler.htm - 8k

Crash (7 Occurrences)

/c/crash.htm - 8k

Abomination (78 Occurrences)
... These birds, and the crane as well, abounded in all countries known at that time
and were used for food according to the superstitions of different nations. ...
/a/abomination.htm - 55k

Dove (27 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Isaiah 38:14 I chattered like a swallow
or a crane. I moaned like a dove. My eyes weaken looking upward. ...
/d/dove.htm - 28k

Zoology
... Vulture, Gier-Eagle, Osprey, Kite, Glede, Hawk, Falcon COLUMBAE: Dove, Turtle-Dove
GALLINAE: Cock, Partridge, Quail, Peacock GRALLATORES: Crane, Heron, Stork ...
/z/zoology.htm - 18k

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Crane: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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