Lexical Summary neshar: eagle, eagles' Original Word: נְשַׁר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance eagle (Aramaic) corresponding to nesher; an eagle -- eagle. see HEBREW nesher NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to nesher Definition an eagle NASB Translation eagle (1), eagles' (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs נְשַׁר noun masculine griffon-vulture or eagle (see Biblical Hebrew); — absolute ׳נ Daniel 7:4; plural absolute נִשְׁרִין Daniel 4:30. Topical Lexicon Occurrences within Daniel Daniel 4:33 presents King Nebuchadnezzar after the prophetic judgment: “his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle, and his nails like the claws of a bird.” The imagery communicates utter humiliation—royalty reduced to bestial existence—while simultaneously hinting at the possibility of restoration (Daniel 4:34–37). Daniel 7:4 describes the first of four beasts: “The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off, and it was lifted up from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it.” Here the eagle’s wings signify speed, power, and dominion; their removal portrays divine restraint and eventual humanization of a proud empire. Symbolism of the Eagle in Scripture 1. Strength and swiftness in judgment or deliverance (Deuteronomy 28:49; Jeremiah 49:22). Historical and Cultural Background In Mesopotamian iconography, the eagle signified royal authority and divine favor. Assyrian and Babylonian reliefs often paired a lion with an eagle to convey irresistible conquest—imagery Daniel repurposes under inspiration to unveil God’s ultimate sovereignty over those very empires. Theological Themes Drawn from the Two Texts • Divine Humbling of Pride: Both Nebuchadnezzar’s bestial condition and the plucking of the beast’s wings underscore that “the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He will” (Daniel 4:32). Cross-Biblical Echoes Nebuchadnezzar’s hair “like the feathers of an eagle” recalls Esau’s covering of hair (Genesis 27:11) and highlights the boundary between human dignity and animal likeness. The removal of wings parallels the “cutting down” language of Isaiah 10:33–34, reinforcing the theme that prideful nations cannot stand against the Lord. Practical Ministry Implications • Pride versus Humility: Leaders and congregations must heed Nebuchadnezzar’s lesson—boasting in achievement invites discipline, whereas acknowledging God’s rule ushers in restoration. Christological and Eschatological Connections The humbling-then-exalting pattern mirrors Philippians 2:5-11, where the Lord Jesus humbles Himself before receiving universal dominion. In Revelation, the eagle motif reappears around final judgments and deliverances, indicating continuity between Daniel’s prophecies and the consummation of all things in Christ. Summary Strong’s Hebrew 5403 displays the eagle as a multifaceted emblem—of majesty, speed, judgment, and eventual restoration—woven into Daniel’s narrative to magnify God’s unrivaled sovereignty and to comfort saints awaiting the final kingdom that “will never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44). Forms and Transliterations כְּנִשְׁרִ֥ין כנשרין נְשַׁ֖ר נשר kə·niš·rîn kenishRin kənišrîn nə·šar nəšar neSharLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 4:33 HEB: דִּ֥י שַׂעְרֵ֛הּ כְּנִשְׁרִ֥ין רְבָ֖ה וְטִפְר֥וֹהִי NAS: had grown like eagles' [feathers] and his nails KJV: were grown like eagles' [feathers], and his nails INT: forasmuch his hair eagles' had grown and his nails Daniel 7:4 2 Occurrences |
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