Pinion
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In biblical terminology, the term "pinion" refers to the outer part of a bird's wing, including the flight feathers. It is often used metaphorically in Scripture to convey ideas of protection, strength, and divine care. The imagery of wings and pinions is prevalent in the Bible, symbolizing God's providence and shelter over His people.

Biblical References:

1. Deuteronomy 32:11 : "Like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, He spreads His wings to catch them and carries them on His pinions." This verse is part of the Song of Moses, where God is likened to an eagle caring for its young. The use of "pinions" here emphasizes the strength and protective nature of God's care, suggesting that just as an eagle uses its powerful wings to support and protect its offspring, so does God with His people.

2. Psalm 91:4 : "He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart." Although the term "pinion" is not directly used in this verse, the imagery of wings and feathers conveys a similar message of divine protection. The metaphor of being covered by God's wings suggests a place of safety and security, reinforcing the idea of God's faithful guardianship.

3. Ezekiel 17:3 : "Say, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: A great eagle with great wings, long pinions, and full plumage of many colors came to Lebanon and took away the top of the cedar.'" In this parable, the eagle with "long pinions" represents a powerful and majestic figure. The use of "pinions" here highlights the grandeur and reach of the eagle, symbolizing the far-reaching influence and might of the kingdom it represents.

Theological Significance:

The use of "pinion" in Scripture often serves to illustrate God's protective and nurturing nature. The imagery of wings and pinions is a powerful reminder of God's omnipotence and His willingness to shelter and support His people. This metaphor is deeply rooted in the understanding of God as a refuge and fortress, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative.

In a broader theological context, the concept of being under God's wings is associated with trust and faith. Believers are encouraged to seek refuge in God's presence, assured of His unwavering protection and care. The metaphor of pinions, therefore, not only conveys God's strength but also His intimate involvement in the lives of His followers.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, birds, particularly eagles, were often seen as symbols of power and divinity. The biblical authors, inspired by the Holy Spirit, utilized this cultural imagery to communicate profound spiritual truths. The eagle's wings and pinions, known for their strength and ability to soar high, became apt symbols for God's supreme authority and protective nature.

The metaphor of pinions also reflects the agrarian and pastoral context of the biblical world, where the natural world was a constant source of inspiration and analogy. The imagery would have been readily understood by the original audience, who were familiar with the behavior and characteristics of birds of prey.

Conclusion:

The biblical use of "pinion" serves as a rich metaphor for God's protective and nurturing character. Through the imagery of wings and pinions, Scripture communicates the assurance of divine care and the call to trust in God's unfailing strength and refuge.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) A moth of the genus Lithophane, as L. antennata, whose larva bores large holes in young peaches and apples.

2. (n.) A feather; a quill.

3. (n.) A wing, literal or figurative.

4. (n.) The joint of bird's wing most remote from the body.

5. (n.) A fetter for the arm.

6. (n.) A cogwheel with a small number of teeth, or leaves, adapted to engage with a larger wheel, or rack (see Rack); esp., such a wheel having its leaves formed of the substance of the arbor or spindle which is its axis.

7. (v. t.) To bind or confine the wings of; to confine by binding the wings.

8. (v. t.) To disable by cutting off the pinion joint.

9. (v. t.) To disable or restrain, as a person, by binding the arms, esp. by binding the arms to the body.

10. (v. t.) Hence, generally, to confine; to bind; to tie up.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PINION

pin'-yun ('ebher, 'ebhrah): the Revised Version (British and American) has translated these Hebrew words uniformly by "pinion," where the King James Version uses either "wing" or "feathers," with which words they stand in parallelism in all passages. The shorter Hebrew word is found only once, in Yahweh's parable to Ezekiel: "A great eagle with great wings and long pinions (the King James Version "longwinged"), full of feathers, which had divers colors, came unto Lebanon, and took the top of the cedar" (Ezekiel 17:3). The feminine form ('ebhrah) is used of the wings of the dove (Psalm 68:13), of the ostrich (Job 39:13) and of the eagle (Deuteronomy 32:11). Once (Psalm 91:4) it stands in a figurative expression for the protective care of Yahweh, which is bestowed on those that trust in Him.

H. L. E. Luering

Greek
4420. pterux -- a wing
... a wing. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: pterux Phonetic Spelling:
(pter'-oox) Short Definition: a wing Definition: a wing, pinion. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4420.htm - 6k
Strong's Hebrew
8038. Shemeber -- "name of pinion," king of Zeboiim
... Shemeber. 8039 . "name of pinion," king of Zeboiim. Transliteration: Shemeber
Phonetic Spelling: (shem-ay'-ber) Short Definition: Shemeber. Word Origin appar. ...
/hebrew/8038.htm - 6k

84. ebrah -- a pinion
... a pinion. Transliteration: ebrah Phonetic Spelling: (eb-raw') Short Definition:
pinions. ... of eber Definition a pinion NASB Word Usage pinion (1), pinions (3). ...
/hebrew/84.htm - 6k

83. eber -- pinions
... pinions (1), wings (2). long-winged. From 'abar; a pinion -- (long-)wing(-ed).
see HEBREW 'abar. 82, 83. eber. 84 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/83.htm - 6k

5133. notsah -- plumage
... Or notsah {no-tsaw'}; feminine active participle of natsah in the sense of flying;
a pinion (or wing feather); often (collectively) plumage -- feather(-s ...
/hebrew/5133.htm - 6k

Library

The Eagle and Its Brood
... common to the eagle and the vulture; superb strength in beak and claw, keenness
of vision almost incredible, magnificent sweep of pinion and power of rapid ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the eagle and its brood.htm

Origin of the World; Basilides' Account of the "Sonship. "
... as a wing of a bird, when removed from the bird, would not of itself soar high up
and aloft; nor, again, would a bird, when disengaged from its pinion, at any ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter x origin of the world.htm

Christian Ballads.
... Abends," originally written to Keble's "Sun of my Soul.". "THE BIRD WITH THE
BROKEN PINION.". This lay of a lost gift, with its striking ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter vi christian ballads.htm

Index of Tunes.
... THE, 147 BOWRING, 170 BOYLSTON, 133, 169, 523 BRADEN, 276 BRATTLE STREET, 126, 207
BREST, 505 BRIGHT CANAAN, 273, 274 BRIGHTON, 245 BROKEN PINION, THE, 254 ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/index of tunes.htm

The Complaint: Or, Night Thoughts.
... Where Fortune smiles; the wretched he forsakes; Swift on his downy pinion
flies from woe,. And lights on lids unsullied with a tear. ...
/.../young/youngs night thoughts/the complaint or night thoughts.htm

"Above the Sun. "
... of the spheres.". Now upsoar ye on faith's pinion, leave all creature things
behind, And approach yon throne of glory. Love in Light ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jennings/old groans and new songs/above the sun.htm

The Divine Pleader.
... Why fall with broken wing and wailing cry to the dust, when on eagle-pinion we can
soar to the celestial gate, and learn the unkindness of wishing the sainted ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xv the divine pleader.htm

The Sheltering Wing
... Now, the main idea in this image is, as I have suggested, that of the expanded pinion,
beneath the shelter of which the callow young lie, and are guarded. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the sheltering wing.htm

To Innocent, Bishop of Rome, Greeting in the Lord.
... the lord. Our body it is true is settled in one place, but the pinion
of love wings its way round every part of the world. Even ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/to innocent bishop of rome.htm

Three Pictures of one Reality
... almost see the mother-bird, made bold by maternal love, swooping down upon the intruder
that sought to rob the nest, and spreading her broad pinion over the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/three pictures of one reality.htm

Thesaurus
Pinion (4 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To bind or confine the wings of; to confine by binding the wings.
8. (vt) To disable by cutting off the pinion joint. ...PINION. ...
/p/pinion.htm - 9k

Lantern
... or that of the Florence cathedral. 5. (n.) A lantern pinion or trundle
wheel. See Lantern pinion (below). 6. (n.) A kind of cage ...
/l/lantern.htm - 8k

Pining (6 Occurrences)

/p/pining.htm - 11k

Joyously (8 Occurrences)
... Thee. (See RSV). Job 39:13 The wing of the ostrich beats joyously But is
it the stork's pinion and plumage? (DBY JPS NAS). Psalms ...
/j/joyously.htm - 8k

Leaf (20 Occurrences)
... (d) A very thin plate; as, gold leaf. (e) A portion of fat lying in a separate fold
or layer. (f) One of the teeth of a pinion, especially when small. ...
/l/leaf.htm - 16k

Fatigued (5 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 40:31 But those expecting Jehovah pass 'to' power, They raise up the pinion
as eagles, They run and are not fatigued, They go on and do not faint! (YLT). ...
/f/fatigued.htm - 7k

Rattling (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Rattling (4 Occurrences). Job 39:13 The wing of the rattling
ones exulteth, Whether the pinion of the ostrich or hawk. (YLT). ...
/r/rattling.htm - 7k

Exulteth (6 Occurrences)
... salvation. (ASV DBY JPS). Job 39:13 The wing of the rattling ones exulteth,
Whether the pinion of the ostrich or hawk. (YLT). Psalms ...
/e/exulteth.htm - 7k

Expecting (22 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Isaiah 40:31 But those expecting Jehovah pass 'to' power, They raise up the
pinion as eagles, They run and are not fatigued, They go on and do not faint! ...
/e/expecting.htm - 12k

Mail (11 Occurrences)
... reptiles, shell of a lobster, etc. 8. (vt) To arm with mail. 9. (vt) To
pinion. 10. (n.) A bag; a wallet. 11. (n.) The bag or bags ...
/m/mail.htm - 11k

Resources
Pinion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Pinion (4 Occurrences)

Job 39:13
The wing of the ostrich beateth joyously; but are her pinions and feathers the kindly stork's?
(Root in JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 55:6
And I say, 'Who doth give to me a pinion as a dove? I fly away and rest,
(YLT)

Psalms 91:4
He will cover thee with His pinions, and under His wings shalt thou take refuge; His truth is a shield and a buckler.
(Root in JPS ASV YLT NAS RSV)

Isaiah 40:31
But those expecting Jehovah pass 'to' power, They raise up the pinion as eagles, They run and are not fatigued, They go on and do not faint!
(YLT)

Subtopics

Pinion

Related Terms

Pinion (4 Occurrences)

Feathers (9 Occurrences)

Stork (6 Occurrences)

Pinnacle (2 Occurrences)

Eagle (27 Occurrences)

Ostriches (8 Occurrences)

Joyfully (37 Occurrences)

Wings (81 Occurrences)

Waketh (8 Occurrences)

Boundaries (19 Occurrences)

Beateth (7 Occurrences)

Stork's (1 Occurrence)

Shimmer (1 Occurrence)

Sheepfolds (9 Occurrences)

Spreads (31 Occurrences)

Peacock

Spreading (74 Occurrences)

Ostrich (9 Occurrences)

Dove (27 Occurrences)

Kindly (57 Occurrences)

Hovers (1 Occurrence)

Bearing (150 Occurrences)

Pining Sickness
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