WING ( Heb. generally kaw-nawf', ex tremity; Gr. rrepti, kr'oo.r, feather).
Hence, those feathery members of fowls, where with they fly in the air (Job xxxix :13). The He brews gave the name of a "wing" to anything that resembled it, as : (1) The skirt of a garment (Ruth iii:o; Jer. ii :34). (2) The outside or end of a country (Job xxxviii :13 ; Is. xxiv :16). (3) The battlement of a house ; hence perhaps the part of the temple our Savior stood upon is called a pin nacle or "wing" (Matt. iv:5). (4) The spreading and warming rays of the sun (Mal. iv :2). (5) The sails of ships, or the shadows of high moun tains (Is. xviii:1). (6) An army spread out like wings (Is. viii :8), and so the "wing of abomina tion" may denote the Roman armies who ren dered a desolation (Dan. ix:27). (7) The motions of the wind (Ps. xviii:io).
FiguratiVe. (1) As the wings and feathers of birds are instruments of their flight, and of hid ing, protecting, and cherishing their young, so wings and feathers, when ascribed to God or Christ, denote his speed to deliver his people (Ruth ii :12 ; Ps. xvii :8, and xci:4; Matt. xxiii: 37). (2) Wings ascribed to cherubim, seraphim, and living creatures, signify the readiness and activity of angels and ministers in the service of God (Is. vi; Ezek. i and x). (3) The saints'
wings are their faith, love, hope, holy affections, and heavenly meditation, by which they mount up towards their Savior, and things above (Is. xl: 31). (4) The two wings of a great eagle, given to the true church for flying with into the wilder ness, may denote God's special assistance (Rev. xii :14). (5) "The wings of the wind" (2 Sam. xxii :11 ; Ps. xviii :to), and "of the morning" (Ps. cxxxix :9) are expressive of the swiftness with which the winds and the morning move onward. (6) The wings of the sun (Mal. iv:2) are the rays by which it is surrounded. As the rays of the sun spread light and warmth over the earth, for the benefit of plants and living creatures, so will the Sun of Righteousness bring healing for all the hurts inflicted by sin. (7) Jehovah says that he has borne his people on eagles' wings (Exod. xix : 4; Deut. xxxii ), i. e., he had brought them out of Egypt with strong and loving care. The eagle watches over its young in the most careful man ner, flying tinder them when it leads them from the nest, lest they should fall upon the rocks and be destroyed.