נְשַׁר
𐤍𐤔𐤓
nᵉshar
H5403 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Large bird of prey noted for its strength and swiftness, especially the eagle (possibly including vulture-like birds in some contexts); used as a literal bird-of-prey and metaphorically for rapid, exalted, or fierce entities.
Semantic Range
eagle (generic large raptor), vulture (in some contexts), symbolic representation of majesty, rapid movement, royal or exalted qualities
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root נשר meaning 'to tear, pluck, fall away' or 'to swoop down,' with the noun form signifying the large predatory bird known as the eagle (or, in some Near Eastern contexts, possibly vulture). The Aramaic form נְשַׁר is parallel to the Hebrew נֶשֶׁר (nesher).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Aramaic biblical texts (such as Daniel and Ezra), נְשַׁר is used to refer to the eagle, mirroring its Hebrew counterpart. In the ancient Near East, the eagle (and closely related large raptors, sometimes vulture) was a prominent symbol of power, swiftness, and exaltation, a usage reflected in Mesopotamian, Assyrian, and Israelite contexts. The distinction between eagle and vulture is sometimes unclear in ancient classification; the Hebrew term was often generalized to large raptors. In Daniel, נְשַׁר appears in the context of apocalyptic visions and is metaphorical for royal power and rapid movement. English translations usually render it as 'eagle'; however, zoologically, it may represent several species of large raptors known in the region at the time. In contrast with other biblical birds of prey like עָזְנִיָּה (azniyyah, often 'vulture'), נְשַׁר tends to carry more regal or awe-inspiring connotations.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to נֶשֶׁר; an eagle; eagle.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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נשר (n-š-r) — to tear, pluck, swoop down, fall away
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5404 | נֶשֶׁר | the great bird of prey |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5403-01 |
כְּ/נִשְׁרִ֥ין | kenisherin | AR/Ncmpa |
like-eagles | like eagles | 1 |
H5403-02 |
נְשַׁ֖ר | neshar | ANcmsa |
an eagle | swooping eagle | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5403-01 |
Daniel 4:30 | כְּ/נִשְׁרִ֥ין | kenisherin | AR/Ncmpa |
like-eagles | like eagles |
H5403-02 |
Daniel 7:4 | נְשַׁ֖ר | neshar | ANcmsa |
an eagle | swooping eagle |