Original Word: נֶשֶׁר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: nesher
Pronunciation: NEH-sher
Phonetic Spelling: (neh'-sher)
KJV: eagle
NASB: eagle, eagles, eagles', eagle's
Word Origin: [from an unused root meaning to lacerate]

1. the eagle (or other large bird of prey)

eagle

From an unused root meaning to lacerate; the eagle (or other large bird of prey) -- eagle.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
an eagle
NASB Translation
eagle (19), eagle's (1), eagles (5), eagles' (1).

נֶשֶׁר noun masculine^{Deuteronomy 32:11} griffon-vulture, eagle (Late Hebrew id.; Assyrian našru; ᵑ7 נַשְׁרָא; Syriac Arabic vulture (Lane²⁷⁸⁰), vulgar Ethiopic Di⁶⁴¹; Sabean נסר proper name, of deity, and ביתן נסר DHM^{ZMG. xxix (1875), 600}; xxxvii (1883), 356); — absolute ׳נ Hosea 8:1 +; נָָֽשֶׁד Deuteronomy 28:49 +; plural נְשָׁרִים 2 Samuel 1:23 +, construct נִשְׁרֵי Lamentations 4:19; — sometimes (perhaps not always) the griffon-vulture (Tristr^{NHB 172 ff.} Dr^{Deuteronomy 14:12} Now^{Archi i. 84} Lane²⁷⁸⁰), Micah 1:16 (bald, in simile) flying swiftly to pery Habakkuk 1:8; Job 9:26, compare Proverbs 30:17 (׳בְּנֵינֿ, unclean Leviticus 11:13; Deuteronomy 14:12; soaring Job 30:27, also in simile Proverbs 23:5; Isaiah 40:31; Obadiah 4, building nest high Jeremiah 49:16 (compare also Job 39:27); as swift also 2 Samuel 1:23, especially of Babylonian and Assyr. invader Jeremiah 4:13; Lamentations 4:19, compare Hosea 8:1; Deuteronomy 28:49; Jeremiah 48:40; Jeremiah 49:22 (all in comparisons), הַנֶּשֶׁר הַגָּדוֺל Ezekiel 17:3 (figurativeof Nebuch.), Ezekiel 17:7 (figurative of king of Egypt); leaving no trace of light Proverbs 30:19; as renewing youth (by moulting) Psalm 103:5; as training and supporting its young Exodus 19:4 (E), Deuteronomy 32:11 (song); ׳מְּני נ of cherubim in vision Ezekiel 1:10; Ezekiel 10:4. — Only Micah 1:16 seems to compel reference to vulture (on eating fresh carrion by eagles see references in Di^{Leviticus 11:13}), and ׳נ may be a more comprehensive word, including both vulture and eagle.

Natural History and Ancient Near-Eastern Background

The Hebrew noun refers to a large bird of prey best rendered “eagle.” The term takes in both the powerful golden eagle common to Palestine’s mountains and the imperial eagle that nested on high cliffs of the Jordan Rift. In the ancient world the eagle was unrivaled in flight altitude, sight, strength and longevity. Royal houses from Mesopotamia to Rome adopted it as a military emblem, and its nesting habits on inaccessible crags made it a ready picture of security.

Occurrences in the Canon

Approximately twenty-six passages employ the word, ranging from the Torah (Leviticus 11:13) to the post-exilic prophets (Zechariah 5:9). The distribution clusters in:
• Legal classifications of clean and unclean animals (Leviticus 11:13; Deuteronomy 14:12).
• Poetic and Wisdom literature that describe creation and human frailty (Job 9:26; Proverbs 23:5; Psalm 103:5).
• Historical and prophetic texts using the eagle as a metaphor for divine deliverance (Exodus 19:4; Deuteronomy 32:11) or swift judgment (Jeremiah 4:13; Hosea 8:1).
• Apocalyptic visions (Ezekiel 17:3; Daniel 7:4).

Symbol of God’s Protective Care

Scripture’s earliest eagle imagery depicts covenant grace. “You have seen…how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself” (Exodus 19:4). Moses later expands the figure: “As an eagle stirs up its nest…so the LORD alone led him” (Deuteronomy 32:11-12). In both cases the bird’s training of its fledglings illustrates the Lord’s compassionate yet purposeful guidance of Israel through wilderness experiences toward covenant maturity.

Figure of Renewed Strength

The eagle becomes an emblem of personal restoration. “He satisfies you with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:5). Isaiah applies the picture corporately: “Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31). The molting process—whereby an eagle sheds worn feathers before regaining fresh plumage—lies behind the promise of spiritual rejuvenation for believers who wait upon God.

Emblem of Heightened Perception

Job marvels that the eagle “soars high…its eyes spot prey from afar” (Job 39:27-29). The creature’s unparalleled vision serves as a reminder that nothing escapes divine notice (Hebrews 4:13) and calls God’s people to cultivate spiritual discernment (Ephesians 1:18).

Instrument of Swift Judgment

The same wings that symbolize salvation can herald wrath when covenant is despised. The prophets repeatedly invoke the eagle’s speed to warn of invading armies.
• “His chariots come like a whirlwind, his horses are swifter than eagles” (Jeremiah 4:13).
• “Set the trumpet to your lips! An eagle is over the house of the LORD because they have violated My covenant” (Hosea 8:1).
• Obadiah, addressing Edom’s pride, warns, “Though you soar like the eagle…I will bring you down” (Obadiah 1:4).

Such texts underline the moral universe in which the God who saves will also avenge unrepentant sin.

Apocalyptic and Royal Motifs

Political powers are personified as eagles in visions of global upheaval. Ezekiel speaks of “a great eagle with great wings” that transplanted a cedar shoot (Ezekiel 17:3-6), alluding first to Babylon and ultimately to sovereign providence over kingdoms. Daniel’s vision of a winged lion whose “wings were torn off” (Daniel 7:4) anticipates Babylon’s fall. These images reassure believers that empires rise and fall under divine decree.

Unclean yet Instructive

Although listed among unclean birds (Leviticus 11:13), the eagle is nowhere vilified. Its unclean status prevents sacrificial misuse while still allowing Israel to study its habits. The tension mirrors a larger biblical pattern: God employs even imperfect vessels to reveal perfect truths.

Ministry and Devotional Applications

1. Trust in God’s Elevating Grace – Like Israel carried on wings beyond Egypt’s reach, the church rests in the completed exodus accomplished by Christ.
2. Perseverance in Trials – Isaiah’s promise invites weary saints to exchange natural strength for divine enablement.
3. Vigilance against Pride – Edom’s downfall cautions individuals and nations that loftiness without humility invites judgment.
4. Evangelistic Readiness – The eagle’s sharp sight challenges believers to detect spiritual opportunities and dangers from afar.

Patristic and Historical Reflections

Early Christian writers saw the eagle as a symbol of John’s Gospel, which soars into the heights of Christ’s divinity. Medieval preachers used the molting motif to preach repentance and renewal. Modern missions continue to adopt the eagle as an emblem of Spirit-empowered outreach.

Summary

Throughout Scripture the eagle embodies paradoxical truths: tenderness and fierceness, renewal and judgment, earthly creatureliness and heavenly aspiration. Its presence at key redemptive moments makes it a vivid reminder that the God who lifts His people on wings above danger also searches the heights to humble the proud, all for the glory of His unchanging covenant purposes.

הַנֶּ֙שֶׁר֙ הַנֶּ֤שֶׁר הַנֶּ֥שֶׁר הַנֶּ֨שֶׁר ׀ הַנָּ֑שֶׁר הנשר כְּ֝נֶ֗שֶׁר כְּנֶ֖שֶׁר כְּנֶ֙שֶׁר֙ כַּנְּשָׁרִ֑ים כַּנֶּ֔שֶׁר כַּנֶּ֖שֶׁר כַּנֶּ֙שֶׁר֙ כַּנֶּ֣שֶׁר כַנֶּ֖שֶׁר כַנֶּ֙שֶׁר֙ כנשר כנשרים מִנְּשָׁרִ֖ים מִנְּשָׁרִ֣ים מִנִּשְׁרֵ֖י מנשרי מנשרים נְשָׁרִ֔ים נֶ֖שֶׁר נֶֽשֶׁר־ נָ֑שֶׁר נָֽשֶׁר׃ נשר נשר־ נשר׃ נשרים chanNesher han·nā·šer han·ne·šer hannāšer hanNasher hannešer hanNesher kan·nə·šā·rîm kan·ne·šer ḵan·ne·šer kannəšārîm kannešer ḵannešer kanneshaRim kanNesher kə·ne·šer kənešer keNesher min·nə·šā·rîm min·niš·rê minnəšārîm minneshaRim minnishRei minnišrê nā·šer nāšer Nasher nə·šā·rîm ne·šer ne·šer- nəšārîm nešer nešer- neshaRim NesherInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts