Sparrow
NatureWhat is the meaning of Sparrow in the Bible?
The sparrow is a small bird of the family Passeridae, frequently mentioned in the Bible, and is often translated as 'bird' or 'fowl'. The Hebrew word tsippor seems to have been a generic name for all small birds that frequented houses and gardens.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the sparrow's ubiquity and low value in the ancient economy clarifies the weight of metaphors regarding divine care and human insignificance found in biblical texts.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Physical & Symbolic Reality: Physical objects and natural elements like Sparrow were everyday realities for biblical writers, frequently used as living metaphors for spiritual truths.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Sparrow in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Sparrow clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Sparrow." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/sparrow/