the Week of Proper 25 / Ordinary 30
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Bible Dictionaries
Crane
Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary
In Isaiah 38:14 , and Jeremiah 8:7 , two birds are mentioned, the שיש and the ענור . The first in our version is translated crane, and the second swallow; 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."
Where do the cranes or winding swallows go, Fearful of gathering winds and failing snow?
Conscious of all the coming ills, they fly To milder regions and a southern sky. PRIOR.
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."
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Watson, Richard. Entry for 'Crane'. Richard Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​wtd/​c/crane.html. 1831-2.