νοσσιά

a brood of young birds

Definition

The Greek word νοσσιά (nossia) specifically means a brood or nest of young birds, particularly chicks that are still under the care and protection of their mother. In its single New Testament occurrence in Luke 13:34, it is used metaphorically by Jesus to describe the people of Jerusalem as a brood of chicks that He, like a mother hen, desires to gather under His wings for safety. This imagery powerfully conveys care, protection, and a place of belonging. The term does not appear elsewhere in the New Testament, so its meaning is consistent and focused on this nurturing, collective image.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 13:34. Jesus employs it in a lament over Jerusalem, saying, 'How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!' Here, it is used in a metaphorical and emotional context to illustrate God's protective, maternal desire for His people, contrasting with their rejection of that care. The usage is poetic and vivid, central to the passage's rhetorical force.

Etymology

The noun νοσσιά (nossia) is derived from the Greek word νεοσσός (neossos), meaning 'a young bird' or 'chick.' It is related to the verb νέω (neō), meaning 'to swim' or 'to flow,' but in this context, the connection is more directly to newness and youth. The word family emphasizes the idea of offspring that are young and dependent. Its meaning is straightforward and remained consistent in Greek usage, denoting a nest or group of fledglings.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it provides one of the Bible's most tender images of God's character. In Luke 13:34, Jesus uses 'brood' (nossia) to reveal God's persistent, protective, and nurturing love towards rebellious people. It enriches the doctrine of God's compassion and the tragedy of human rejection of divine grace. Understanding this Greek term highlights the emotional depth of Jesus' lament and underscores the maternal aspects of God's care, which complements more common paternal metaphors.

In the ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman world, the image of a bird gathering its young under its wings was a common and universally understood symbol of protection and shelter from danger. This metaphor would have resonated immediately with Jesus' audience, conveying a sense of safety, warmth, and familial care. The cultural understanding makes the rejection by Jerusalem ('you were not willing') all the more poignant, as refusing such offered shelter was seen as profoundly foolish and self-destructive.

νεοσσός (neossos, G3502) — specifically refers to a single young bird or chick, whereas νοσσιά is the collective brood or nest. νοσσεία (nosseia, G3555 alternate spelling) — a variant spelling of the same word with identical meaning.

Word Details

Scripture References