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Matthew 24:28: Difference between revisions
→Eagle or Vulture?
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[[File:Eagle on garbage.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Eagle looking for fresh food?]] | [[File:Eagle on garbage.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Eagle looking for fresh food?]] | ||
The Greek word ''aetos'' can refer to any number of large, meat eating birds, and whether the Biblical reference is to an eagle or a vulture depends on the context. | |||
:ἀετός (aetos) — ‘eagle, vulture.’ ἐδόθησαν τῇ γυναικὶ αἱ δύο πτέρυγες τοῦ ἀετοῦ τοῦ μεγάλου ‘they gave the woman two wings of a large eagle’ Re 12:14; ὅπου ἐὰν ᾖ τὸ πτῶμα, ἐκεῖ συναχθήσονται οἱ ἀετοί ‘wherever there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather’ Mt 24:28. | :ἀετός (aetos) — ‘eagle, vulture.’ ἐδόθησαν τῇ γυναικὶ αἱ δύο πτέρυγες τοῦ ἀετοῦ τοῦ μεγάλου ‘they gave the woman two wings of a large eagle’ Re 12:14; ὅπου ἐὰν ᾖ τὸ πτῶμα, ἐκεῖ συναχθήσονται οἱ ἀετοί ‘wherever there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather’ Mt 24:28. | ||
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:The basic distinction between eagles and vultures is that the former either capture their prey or feed upon dead carcasses, while vultures only feed upon dead carcasses. Only in the Western Hemisphere are there two distinct families of birds: (1) birds of prey, which also feed upon dead bodies (eagles) and (2) vultures, which never take live prey, but only feed upon carcasses. <ref>Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, vol. 1, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains, electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., 44 (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996).</ref> | :The basic distinction between eagles and vultures is that the former either capture their prey or feed upon dead carcasses, while vultures only feed upon dead carcasses. Only in the Western Hemisphere are there two distinct families of birds: (1) birds of prey, which also feed upon dead bodies (eagles) and (2) vultures, which never take live prey, but only feed upon carcasses. <ref>Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, vol. 1, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains, electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., 44 (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996).</ref> | ||
Additionally, and despite of Branham’s assertions to the contrary, eagles do eat carrion on occasion. | Additionally, and despite of Branham’s assertions to the contrary, eagles do eat carrion on occasion. | ||
How can we be sure William Branham wasn’t correct? Perhaps the numerous translators leaned too heavily on the apparent vulture/carcass context and missed Jesus’ subtle meaning. William Branham certainly seemed to think so: | |||
:''Where the carcass is (the Manna is, the Word is), there the eagles will be gathered.<ref>The Anointed Ones at the End Time, vol.5, no.3A, 1965 (tape#65-0725M)</ref> | :''Where the carcass is (the Manna is, the Word is), there the eagles will be gathered.<ref>The Anointed Ones at the End Time, vol.5, no.3A, 1965 (tape#65-0725M)</ref> | ||