Difference between revisions of "Crane"

<p> In &nbsp;Isaiah 38:14 , and &nbsp;Jeremiah 8:7 , two birds are mentioned, the שיש and the ענור . The first in our version is translated <em> crane, </em> and the second <em> swallow; </em> but Bochart exactly reverses them, and the reasons he adduces are incontrovertible. [[Aristophanes]] curiously observes, that "it is time to sow when the crane migrates clamouring into Africa; she also bids the mariner suspend his rudder and take his rest, and the mountaineer to provide himself with raiment;" and Hesiod, "When thou hearest the voice of the crane, clamouring annually from the clouds on high, recollect that this is the signal for ploughing, and indicates the approach of showery winter." </p> <p> <strong> <em> Where do the cranes or winding swallows go, [[Fearful]] of gathering winds and failing snow? </em> </strong> </p> <p> <strong> <em> [[Conscious]] of all the coming ills, they fly To milder regions and a southern sky. [[Prior]] </em> </strong> </p> <p> The [[Prophet]] Jeremiah mentions this bird, thus intelligent of the seasons by an instinctive and invariable observation of their appointed times, as a circumstance of reproach to the chosen people of God, who, although taught by reason and religion, "know not the judgment of the Lord." </p>

<p> &nbsp;Isaiah 38:14, "like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter" (rather "twitter"); rather "like a swallow or a crane": '''''Sus''''' ''''''Agur''''' . A plaintive and migratory (&nbsp;Jeremiah 8:7) bird is implied by '''''Sus''''' ; [[Italian]] '''''Zisilla''''' , "swallow." [[Gesenius]] takes '''''Gahur''''' as an epithet, "like the circling swallow." [[Thirteen]] manuscripts of Kennicott read '''''Isis''''' for '''''Sus''''' or '''''Sis''''' ; that goddess having been, according to [[Egyptian]] fable, changed into a swallow; a fable transferred to the Greek mythology, in the story of Procne. </p>

<p> '''Crane.''' The crane ( '''Grus cinerea''' ) is a native of Europe and Asia. It stand about four feet high. Its color is ashen gray, with face and neck nearly black. It feeds on seeds, roots, insects and small quadrupeds. It retires in winter to the warmer climates. &nbsp;Jeremiah 8:7. </p>

<p> ''''' krān ''''' ( עגוּר , <i> ''''' ‛āghūr ''''' </i> ; γέρανος , <i> ''''' géranos ''''' </i> ; Latin <i> Grus cinerea </i> ): A bird of the family <i> gruidae </i> . The crane is mentioned twice in the Bible: once on account of its voice (&nbsp;Isaiah 38:14 : "Like a swallow or a crane, so did I chatter"); again because of the unforgettable picture these birds made in migration (&nbsp; Jeremiah 8:7 ): "Yea, the stork in the heavens knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle-dove and the swallow and the crane observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the law of Yahweh." Some commentators have adduced reasons for dropping the crane from the ornithology of the Bible, but this never should be permitted. They were close relatives of stork, heron and ibis; almost as numerous as any of these, and residents of Palestine, except in migration. The two quotations concerning them fit with their history, and point out the two features that made them as noticeable as any birds of Palestine. Next to the ostrich and pelican they were the largest birds, having a wing sweep of 8 ft. from tip to tip and standing 4 ft. in height. In migration such immense flocks passed over [[Palestine]] as to darken the sky, and when they crossed the Red Sea they appeared to sweep from shore to shore, and so became the most noticeable migratory bird, for which reason, no doubt, they were included in Isaiah's reference to spring migration with the beloved doves, used in sacrifice and for caged pets, and with the swallows that were held almost sacred because they homed in temples. Not so many of them settled in Palestine as of the storks, but large flocks lived in the wilderness South of Jerusalem, and a few pairs homed near water as far north as Merom. The grayish-brown cranes were the largest, and there were also a crested, and a white crane. They nested on the ground or in trees and laid two large eggs, differing with species. The eggs of the brown bird were a light drab with brown speckles, and those of the white, rough, pale-blue with brown splotches. They were not so affectionate in pairs or to their young as storks, but were average parents. It is altogether probable that they were the birds intended by Isaiah, because they best suited his purpose, the crane and the swallow being almost incessant talkers among birds. The word "chatter," used in the Bible, exactly suits the notes of a swallow, but is much too feeble to be used in describing the vocalizing of the crane. They migrated in large wedge-shaped companies and cried constantly on wing. They talked incessantly while at the business of living, and even during the watches of the night they scarcely ceased passing along word that all was well, or sending abroad danger signals. The Arabs called the cry of the cranes "bellowing." We usually express it by whooping or trumpeting. Any of these words is sufficiently expressive to denote an unusual voice, used in an unusual manner, so that it appealed to the prophet as suitable for use in a strong comparison. </p>