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Unveiling the Word

In biblical studies, understanding specific Greek words can unlock deeper meaning and bring cultural and theological insights to the forefront. The Greek word νοσσιά (nossia), which appears in Luke 13:34, is particularly significant because it appears in a metaphor used by Jesus to describe His protective, nurturing love for the people of Jerusalem. The word refers to a brood of young birds, often evoking a vivid image of care and protection. This imagery helps to deepen our understanding of Jesus’ words in the New Testament and sheds light on cultural notions of parental care and protection in the ancient world.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: νοσσιά (nossia), pronounced nos-SEE-ah.

Etymology: The word νοσσιά is derived from the root νοσσός (nossos), which means a young bird or chick. This gives nossia the meaning of a brood or a group of young birds. The root evokes the tender image of a mother bird gathering her young under her wings.

Part of Speech: Noun (feminine). The word nossia is a feminine noun, and in its biblical context, it refers specifically to a group or brood of young birds. It belongs to the first declension in Greek grammar.

The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Defining Meanings

1. Brood of Young Birds: The primary meaning of nossia is a brood or group of young birds. This is the meaning in Luke 13:34, where Jesus uses it in a metaphor, saying, “How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood (nossia) under her wings.”

2. Symbol of Protection: Beyond its literal meaning, nossia carries a symbolic meaning of care and protection. In the biblical context, Jesus expresses His desire to protect and nurture the people of Jerusalem, comparing them to a vulnerable brood of birds.

Exploring Similar Words

1. νοσσός (nossos) [pronunciation: NOS-sos]: Refers to a single young bird or chick. While nossos is singular, nossia refers to a group or brood of young birds.

2. ὄρνεον (orneon) [pronunciation: OR-neh-on]: This word generally refers to a bird but is used more broadly than nossia, which specifically refers to a brood of young birds.

3. πτηνός (ptenos) [pronunciation: pte-NOS]: This word is used to describe something that is winged or flying, focusing on the broader category of birds or flying creatures rather than the specific notion of a brood.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

For the noun nossia, the following morphological features are relevant:

• Case: Nossia appears in various cases in Greek depending on its syntactic function. In Luke 13:34, it is in the accusative case, as it serves as the direct object of the verb “gather.”

• Number: The noun can appear in both singular and plural forms, though in this context, the singular form is used to describe the collective brood.

• Gender: Feminine.

• Declension: As a first declension noun, nossia follows a specific pattern of inflection, with its endings changing based on case and number.

For a beginner’s guide to reading Greek grammar, click here for more information.

Studying Lexicon Insights

The word nossia is rich with cultural and theological implications. In the New Testament, its usage in Luke 13:34 creates a powerful image of Jesus’ desire to gather and protect His people. In classical Greek, nossia generally refers to a literal brood of young birds, but its metaphorical use is poignant in the context of nurturing and protection. This imagery resonates with other biblical passages that speak of God’s protective wings, emphasizing the care and protection that God provides. The nurturing mother-bird metaphor was not unique to the New Testament but was a common theme in ancient literature, used to symbolize protection, care, and tenderness.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Luke 13:34: “How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood [nossia] under her wings, but you were not willing!”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Author Name of Work Text

Homer Iliad “The mother bird hovered, watching over her nossia, her precious younglings in the nest.”

Aristotle History of Animals “The nossia remains in the nest until it is strong enough to fly on its own.”

Septuagint Deuteronomy 32:11 “As an eagle stirs up its nest and hovers over its young [nossia], spreading its wings to catch them.”

Noteworthy Summary

The Greek word nossia provides a vivid image of care and protection. In Luke 13:34, Jesus uses the word to describe His longing to protect the people of Jerusalem, comparing them to a brood of young birds under the wings of a mother hen. This powerful metaphor reflects both the nurturing nature of Christ and the vulnerability of those in need of His protection. Understanding nossia adds richness to the biblical text and highlights its importance in both theological and cultural contexts.

Did You Know?

1. The image of a mother bird protecting her brood (nossia) is a common metaphor in ancient literature, used to represent care and protection.

2. In many ancient cultures, birds were often associated with divine messengers, adding further depth to the metaphor of Jesus as a protective figure.

3. The use of nossia in Luke 13:34 is one of the rare occurrences in the New Testament where Jesus explicitly uses maternal imagery to express His care for humanity.