שְׂלָו

שְׂלָו

the quail collectively (as slow in flight from its weight)

Definition

The Hebrew word שְׂלָו refers to the quail, a migratory bird that appears in the Bible as a specific provision of food from God. In the wilderness narratives, it describes the vast flocks of quail that God miraculously sent to feed the Israelites (Exodus 16:13, Numbers 11:31-32). The term is used collectively for the birds as a group, emphasizing their abundance. In Psalm 105:40, the event is recalled as a sign of God's faithful provision for His people in response to their request for meat.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in narratives of divine provision and judgment. It appears in the Pentateuch's accounts of the Exodus (Exodus 16:13) and the later discontent at Kibroth-hattaavah (Numbers 11:31-32), where the provision turns to a plague. The single poetic usage in Psalm 105:40 poetically retells the Exodus provision. The usage patterns show it is always an object of God's direct action—either as gracious provision or as a means of discipline when demanded with ingratitude.

Etymology

The noun שְׂלָו (or its variant שְׂלָיו) is likely derived from the root שָׁלָה (shalah, H7951), meaning 'to be at rest' or 'to be secure.' The connection arises from the idea of the quail being 'sluggish' or 'slow-flying,' particularly when overfed, making them easy to catch. This etymological link highlights a characteristic of the bird that is central to the biblical story: their availability as a food source.

Semantic Range

The quail (שְׂלָו) is theologically significant as a symbol of God's provision and human response. In Exodus 16, it is part of God's gracious sustenance of Israel. In Numbers 11, however, the people's craving for meat leads God to send quail in judgment, illustrating the danger of discontent and rejecting God's provision (Numbers 11:33-34). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by connecting the physical characteristic of the bird (slowness) to the narrative themes of God's sovereign control over nature and the consequences of Israel's obedience or complaint. In the ancient Near East, quail were known as seasonal migrants, flying north over the Sinai peninsula in large, low-flying flocks in the spring. They could be easily captured by hand or net when exhausted. This cultural knowledge makes the biblical accounts historically plausible. The modern reader might miss that this was a known, seasonal phenomenon, which the text presents as being miraculously orchestrated in timing, location, and scale by God for His purposes. There are no direct synonyms for this specific bird in Biblical Hebrew. The word stands alone for the quail.

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