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Eagles In The Bible: Symbolism, References, & Meaning

In this article, we will continue our study of animals and look at eagles in the Bible. We will explore their references, symbolism, and more. So, grab your Bible, and let’s dig in…

Eagles are one of the most powerful and majestic birds in the world, known for their sharp eyesight, speed, and strength. Throughout history, eagles have been revered and admired by different cultures and civilizations, countries including ancient Israel.

Eagles appear in various books of the Bible, and their symbolism and imagery carry significant spiritual and prophetic meanings.

Eagles are mentioned several times in the Bible’s Old and New Testaments, and the symbolism gives us insight into aspects of God’s character as well as our potential as we learn to seek His ways and rely on His guidance, protection, and grace, and live the abundant life He has made available to us!

We will discuss the spiritual and prophetic significance of eagles in the Bible. We will examine the specific Bible verses where eagles are mentioned and the context in which they appear.

If you are interested in eagles in the Bible and what they represent and can teach us about God and His Word, then we have some insight you will find enlightening.

eagles in the Bible

What Does The Bible Say About Eagles?

As we walk through the Word and delve into its richness, it is important to remember that not everything is symbolic or spiritual. However, God is sovereign, and He can speak to each of us through His Word in a way that is uniquely meaningful to each of us.

We will discuss the practical lessons we can learn from eagles in the Bible and how we can apply them to our daily lives, but it is important to ask Holy Spirit to guide us through the scriptures and open the Word and its meaning to us as we journey.

Whether you are a Christian or not, the lessons and principles we can learn from the eagle’s attributes and how the symbolism is used in the Bible are timeless and relevant to all of us.

So let us soar into the world of eagles in the Bible and discover the wisdom and insights they hold.

Where Are Eagles Mentioned In The Bible?

Eagles are mentioned several times in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. Each reference has a different significance and reveals new aspects of God’s character, His love, and messages that He wants us to understand.

God often conveys a message or a concept by using items from the natural world that we can relate to and understand because we have a reference point for the symbolism. Otherwise, it is difficult for us to relate to an infinite God with our finite minds.

Eagle bible verse
  • Deuteronomy 32:11 – “As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings.”
  • Exodus 19:4 – “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.”
  • Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
  • Proverbs 30:18-19 – “There are three things which are too wonderful for me, yes, four which I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the air, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship in the midst of the sea, and the way of a man with a virgin.”
  • Revelation 4:7 – “The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.”

In these verses, eagles are depicted in various contexts and roles. Sometimes they are used as metaphors for God’s protection, deliverance, guidance, and love for His people, as in Exodus 19:4.

In other instances, eagles are used to describe the strength and agility of believers who wait on the Lord, as in Isaiah 40:31.

The eagle’s behavior of stirring up its nest and carrying its young on its wings is also used to describe the way God disciplines and nurtures his people, as in Deuteronomy 32:11.

The presence of eagles in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty and protection over his people. Their imagery and symbolism invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and our own spiritual journey.

Spiritual Meaning Of Eagles In The Bible

In addition to their literal meaning, eagles in the Bible also carry significant spiritual symbolism. I have detailed below some of the ways eagles are used to represent spiritual attributes in the Bible.

What does an eagle symbolize
  • Renewal and strength. In Isaiah 40:31, the eagle’s ability to mount up with wings represents the strength and renewal that comes from waiting on the Lord. When we trust in God, He gives us the strength to soar above our troubles, gain perspective, and renew our spirits.
  • Protection. In Deuteronomy 32:11, the eagle’s role as a protector and nurturer describes God’s care for His people. Just as an eagle hovers over its young and carries them on its wings, God protects us and carries us through life’s challenges.
  • Vision and perception. Eagles are known for their sharp eyesight and ability to see from great distances. In Proverbs 30:18-19, the eagle’s way of moving through the air symbolizes the importance of seeing beyond our immediate circumstances and gaining a higher perspective.
  • Holiness. In Revelation 4:7, the eagle’s inclusion among the four living creatures is seen as a representation of God’s holiness. The eagle’s wings and ability to fly remind us of God’s transcendence and power.
  • Resurrection. Some scholars believe that eagles are used to symbolize resurrection and new life in the Bible. This is based on the eagle’s ability to molt and regrow its feathers and its traditional association with high places and the afterlife in many human cultures.

The spiritual meaning of eagles in the Bible speaks to how God cares for His people and invites us to trust in His strength and vision. Eagles remind us to look beyond our circumstances and seek God’s perspective, knowing He is our protector, guide, and Father.

Prophetic Meaning Or Eagles in The Bible

Eagles are also used in the Bible to convey prophetic meaning and foreshadow future events. There are several references to eagles in the Bible in a prophetic context.

  • Babylonian Empire. In Jeremiah 48:40, an eagle symbolizes the coming destruction of the Babylonian Empire. The eagle’s wings and talons represent the swift and powerful invasion that will soon take place.
  • Roman Empire. In Ezekiel 17:3-10, an eagle represents the Roman Empire and its conquest of Israel. The eagle takes a sprig from a cedar tree (representing the Davidic dynasty) and carries it to a foreign land (representing Rome’s domination over Israel). The eagle was often used as a symbol by Rome, and its soldiers often bore symbols of eagles on their shields, banners, and standards.
  • End Times. In Revelation 8:13, an eagle is used to announce the coming of three woes that will strike the earth during the end times. The eagle’s cry warns of the judgment and destruction to come.
  • Restoration. Some scholars believe that eagles are used prophetically to represent the restoration of Israel and the coming of the Messiah. In Isaiah 40:31, the eagle’s ability to mount up with wings is seen as a symbol of Israel’s return from exile and the renewal of its strength.

The prophetic meaning of eagles in the Bible speaks to how God uses natural symbols and events to reveal His plans and purposes for His people.

Eagles are used to foreshadow judgment and restoration, as well as the coming of the Messiah and the end times. Their prophetic significance reminds us to stay alert and attuned to God’s voice, knowing He is always at work in our lives and the world around us.

What Can We Learn From Eagles In The Bible?

The use of eagles in the Bible provides us with several lessons and insights into our spiritual lives, God’s character, and His love for His people.

Trust in God’s Strength

Just as eagles rely on their wings to soar, we, too, can trust in God’s strength to lift us up and carry us through difficult times. We can draw on His power and renew our strength by waiting on Him and seeking His guidance.

Seek God’s Perspective

Eagles can see from great distances, giving them a higher perspective on their surroundings. In the same way, we can seek God’s perspective on our lives and situations, trusting that He sees the bigger picture and knows what is best for us.

Take Refuge In God’s Protection

Eagles are known for their ability to protect and care for their young. As God’s children, we can take refuge in His protection and care, knowing He watches over us and shields us from harm.

Embrace Renewal And Transformation

Eagles can molt and regrow their feathers, representing renewal and transformation. In the same way, we can embrace the process of spiritual renewal and transformation that comes through our relationship with God.

Stay Alert And Prepared

Eagles are always alert, vigilant, and prepared for what lies ahead. We, too, can stay alert and prepared for whatever challenges or opportunities come our way, relying on God’s wisdom and strength to guide us.

The lessons we can learn from eagles in the Bible are about trusting in God’s strength rather than our own, seeking His perspective and guidance, taking refuge in His protection, embracing renewal and transformation, and staying alert and prepared.

If we apply these lessons to our lives, we can grow in our faith and our relationship with our God and become more like the eagles that God has called us to be.


Eagles play a significant role in the Bible, serving as symbols of strength, power, and protection. They are used to convey spiritual and prophetic meaning and teach us important lessons about our relationship with God.

Through the examples of eagles in the Bible, we can learn to trust in God’s strength, seek His perspective, refuge, and protection, embrace renewal and transformation, and be prepared for whatever lies ahead. May we be inspired by the eagles in the Bible to live out our faith with courage, wisdom, and grace, relying on God’s power and guidance in all that we do.

Animals In The Bible Series

Curious about other animals in scripture? Well, I got you covered! Check out these interesting critters!

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