אֶפְרֹחַ
the brood of a bird
Definition
The Hebrew noun אֶפְרֹחַ refers specifically to a young bird that has recently hatched or fledged, still dependent on its parent. It denotes the brood or offspring of a bird, emphasizing their vulnerable, early stage of life. In Deuteronomy 22:6, it describes a nestling still in the nest with its mother, while in Psalm 84:3, it poetically represents a sparrow finding a home and a swallow a nest for her young. The usage in Job 39:30 refers broadly to where the young eagles are, highlighting their presence.
Biblical Usage
This word occurs only three times in the Old Testament, each in distinct contexts that illustrate care and dependency. In Deuteronomy 22:6, it appears in a legal instruction about preserving life, forbidding the taking of a mother bird with her young. In Job 39:30, it is used in God's rhetorical description of the eagle's habitat. In Psalm 84:3, it is part of a poetic metaphor for finding a secure dwelling place in God's temple. The usage consistently portrays young birds in settings that evoke nurture, home, or divine providence.
Etymology
אֶפְרֹחַ derives from the root פָּרַח (parach, H6524), meaning 'to bud, sprout, or blossom.' The noun form carries the sense of 'bursting forth,' specifically from the eggshell at hatching. This etymological connection highlights the idea of new life emerging, linking the young bird to concepts of growth and development from a hidden state into visibility.
Semantic Range
Though a specific noun, אֶפְרֹחַ contributes to biblical themes of God's care for creation and the sanctity of life. In Deuteronomy 22:6, its use underpins a law teaching compassion and restraint, reflecting God's concern for even the smallest creatures. In Psalm 84:3, it enriches the imagery of finding refuge in God, comparing the believer's longing for God's presence to a bird's care for its vulnerable young. Understanding this Hebrew term deepens appreciation for how Scripture uses everyday creation to illustrate spiritual truths about dependency, protection, and divine provision.
In ancient Israelite culture, birds and their young were common sights, and their nests were accessible in cliffs, trees, and even building eaves. The instruction in Deuteronomy 22:6 reflects an agrarian society's practical ethics, promoting sustainable practices and kindness toward animals. The vulnerability of the אֶפְרֹחַ made it a fitting symbol for dependence and need, concepts readily understood in a culture closely tied to the natural world.
בָּנִים (banim, H1121) — a general term for 'children' or 'sons,' not specific to birds. גּוֹזָל (gozal, H1469) — another term for a young bird, often a fledgling or nestling, used in contexts like Deuteronomy 32:11 and Isaiah 10:14.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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