Bible Dictionary
FEATHERS
Feathers or plumage are the covering and wing adornment of birds. Scripture uses them literally and also pictures God’s protective care as shelter beneath His wings.
Definition
Feathers are the plumage covering and adorning birds. They may be valued for beauty and ornament, and the word may include the pinions or wings of birds.
Biblical Usage
Scripture describes the plumage of the ostrich and uses the image of being covered with feathers and sheltered under wings to express protective care. Feathers also occur in a description of the bird in Daniel.
Historical Background
Ostrich feathers were pursued for headdresses and shield ornaments of desert princes. Peacocks were associated with Solomon’s ships because of their remarkable feathers, and eagle feathers were held in superstitious reverence.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>feth'-erz (notsah; Latin penna): "Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings (the Revised Version (British and American) "pinions") and feathers (the American Standard Revised Version "plumage") unto the ostrich?" (Job 39:13 the King James Version); "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust; his truth shall be thy shield and buckler" (Ps 91:4 the King James Version). In the Revised Version (British and American) this is again changed to pinions. in Da 4:33 the word "feathers" is left. The wonderful plumage of birds was noted and prized in those days, just as now. Old ostriches were too tough and rank of flesh for food. They were pursued for their feathers, which were used for the headdressing and shield ornaments of desert princes. No one doubts that the ships of Solomon introduced peacocks because of their wonderful feathers. Those of the eagle were held in superstitious reverence as late as the days of Pliny, who was ten years old at the time of the crucifixion of Christ. Pliny wrote that the eagle was so powerful that if its feathers be laid in a box with those of other birds, the eagle feathers would "devour and consume all the rest."</p><p>Gene Stratton-Porter</p>