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אֶבְרָה

𐤀𐤁𐤓𐤄

ʼebrâh

H84 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אבר to be strong, to be mighty

Definition

A large wing or the pinion (the jointed part enabling flight) of a bird, especially the strong flight feathers; by extension, 'wing' in poetic and metaphorical usage signifying protection, shelter, or strength. The term can denote both the literal physical wing of a bird and, metaphorically, that which covers or shelters, such as the protective wings of YHWH used poetically for divine care.

Semantic Range

pinion (outer wing feathers), strong wing, large wing, wing (general sense), protection (metaphoric), shelter (metaphoric), strength (metaphoric)

Root / Etymology

From the root אבר, which means 'to be strong, mighty'; the noun form אֶבְרָה is the feminine derivative, referring specifically to the large, strong part of the wing—the pinion—which is essential for flying.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical Hebrew, אֶבְרָה appears in both literal and figurative contexts. Literally, it refers to the strong feathers or pinion on a bird's wing (e.g., Deut 32:11, Job 39:13), focusing on power and the ability to fly. Poetically, the term is used in imagery of divine protection or care, as in Psalms or prophetic texts, where 'under the wings (אֶבְרָה)' signals security or refuge. The usage is distinct from other Hebrew words for 'wing' such as כָּנָף (kanāf), which has a broader semantic range including garment edges or extremities. In post-biblical Hebrew, the word's use narrows and is less common. Traditional English renderings like 'pinion' accurately indicate the anatomical specificity but may miss evocative or metaphoric senses in Hebrew poetry.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of אֵבֶר; {a pinion}; feather, wing.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אבר (ʾ-b-r) — strength, might, strong flight

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H46 אָבִיר mighty one of
H47 אַבִּיר mighty one of
H82 אָבַר he causes to fly

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H84-01 בְּ/אֶבְרָת֨/וֹ beeverato HR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms with his feathers in his strong wing 1
H84-04 וְ֝/אֶבְרוֹתֶ֗י/הָ veeveroteyha HC/Ncfpc/Sp3fs and her feathers and her strong pinions 1
H84-03 אֶבְרָתֽ/וֹ everato HNcfsc/Sp3ms its pinions his strong wing 1
H84-02 אֶ֝בְרָ֗ה everah HNcfsa pinion mighty wing 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H84-03 Deuteronomy 32:11 אֶבְרָתֽ/וֹ everato HNcfsc/Sp3ms its pinions his strong wing
H84-04 Psalms 68:14 וְ֝/אֶבְרוֹתֶ֗י/הָ veeveroteyha HC/Ncfpc/Sp3fs and her feathers and her strong pinions
H84-01 Psalms 91:4 בְּ/אֶבְרָת֨/וֹ beeverato HR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms with his feathers in his strong wing
H84-02 Job 39:13 אֶ֝בְרָ֗ה everah HNcfsa pinion mighty wing
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