גּוֹזָל
𐤂𐤅𐤆𐤋
gôwzâl
H1469 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A fledgling or nestling bird, specifically a very young bird still in the nest and not yet able to fly, typically characterized by its vulnerability and lack of developed feathers. While often referring to young pigeons, the term can also broadly apply to the young of various birds when context allows. The sense is of a dependent, newly hatched bird still under parental care.
Semantic Range
nestling, fledgling, very young bird, young pigeon, unweaned bird, newly hatched bird
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root גזל (g-z-l), which primarily means 'to seize, take away, snatch.' The noun גּוֹזָל (gôzâl) is a concrete nominal formation possibly indicating something that is 'taken from the nest' or vulnerable to being seized. The root meaning concerns the act of seizing, while the substantive refers to the state of the fledgling as easy to catch or lacking protection.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical contexts (e.g., Deuteronomy 32:11, Proverbs 1:17), גּוֹזָל refers specifically to unweaned young birds, particularly nestlings before they acquire full plumage. It is a term of natural history, often used to describe vulnerability or the early stages of life. The semantic focus is on the bird's helplessness and need of care. Later translations (e.g., KJV 'young pigeon') narrow the meaning, but the Hebrew usage in context can extend to nestlings of other species. This term is not used for mammalian young, nor does it refer to adult birds or fledged juveniles. In post-biblical Hebrew, the term persists with similar meaning. Contrast with אֵפֹחַ (ʾēphoah, fledgling) and עֵפוֹד (ʿēphod, young bird in other senses), which may cover overlapping but distinct nuances of avian development.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or (shortened) גֹזָלlemma גזָל missing vowel, corrected to גֹזָל; from גָּזַל; a nestling (as being comparatively nude of feathers); young (pigeon).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גזל (g-z-l) — to seize, snatch, take away
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1497 | גָּזַל | he seized by force |
| H1498 | גָּזֵל | violent seizure |
| H1499 | גֵּזֶל | forcible plunder |
| H1500 | גְּזֵלָה | forcible robbery |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1469-02 |
וְ/גוֹזָֽל | vegozal | HC/Ncmsa |
and a young pigeon | nestling bird | 1 |
H1469-01 |
גּוֹזָלָ֖י/ו | gozalayv | HNcmpc/Sp3ms |
its young | his nestlings | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1469-02 |
Genesis 15:9 | וְ/גוֹזָֽל | vegozal | HC/Ncmsa |
and a young pigeon | nestling bird |
H1469-01 |
Deuteronomy 32:11 | גּוֹזָלָ֖י/ו | gozalayv | HNcmpc/Sp3ms |
its young | his nestlings |