"a wing, pinion, Mt. 23:37; Lk. 13:34"
Definition and meaning
a wing, pinion, Mt. 23:37; Lk. 13:34
In the original Greek the word is written: πτέρυξ
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of pteryx (G4420) across the King James Bible.
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.
And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
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Common questions
Strong's G4420 (pteryx) is a Greek word that means: a wing, pinion, Mt. 23:37; Lk. 13:34 It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word pteryx (G4420) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4420 is pteryx, a Greek word defined as: a wing, pinion, Mt. 23:37; Lk. 13:34. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
pteryx is a Greek word found in the New Testament.