There’s something majestic about eagles that has captured human imagination for thousands of years.
These powerful birds soar higher than almost any other creature, see with incredible clarity from great distances, and renew their strength in remarkable ways that ancient peoples observed with wonder.
Friend, when God wanted to illustrate spiritual truths about His character, His power, and His relationship with His people, He often chose the eagle as His example.
Eagles in the bible appear throughout Scripture as powerful symbols of God’s strength, His tender care, His ability to lift us above our circumstances, and the renewal He offers to weary souls.
From Exodus to Revelation, from the Psalms to the prophets, eagles serve as living illustrations of divine truths that God wants us to understand. These magnificent birds aren’t just randomly mentioned but are deliberately chosen by God to teach us about who He is and how He works in our lives.
Perhaps you’ve heard the famous verse about mounting up with wings like eagles, or maybe you’re curious about what other passages mention these remarkable birds.
As we explore what Scripture says about eagles, you’ll discover that God uses their characteristics—their strength, their ability to soar, their keen vision, their protective nature, and their renewal process—to reveal profound spiritual truths.
Let these verses awaken fresh wonder at God’s creativity in nature and His intentionality in using His creation to teach us about His love, power, and faithfulness.
40 Bible Verses About Eagles in the Bible
1. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
This beloved verse promises that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength and soar like eagles. Just as eagles effortlessly ride air currents to great heights, believers who trust God will rise above circumstances with supernatural strength that doesn’t run out.
2. Exodus 19:4 (ESV)
“You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.”
God describes carrying Israel out of Egypt on eagles’ wings. This powerful image shows His tender care and mighty deliverance. Like an eagle carrying its young safely, God lifted His people from bondage and brought them to Himself with strength and protection.
3. Deuteronomy 32:11 (NKJV)
“As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings, so the LORD alone led him, and there was no foreign god with him.”
God compares Himself to an eagle teaching its young to fly. Eagles push eaglets from the nest but catch them on their wings when they fall. God similarly challenges us to grow while never letting us fall beyond His reach.
4. Psalm 103:5 (NLT)
“He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!”
God promises to renew your youth like the eagle. Eagles in the bible symbolize renewal because ancient peoples observed that eagles maintain strength and vitality throughout their lives, seemingly becoming renewed rather than weakening with age.
5. Proverbs 30:18-19 (CSB)
“Three things are beyond me; four I can’t understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship at sea, and the way of a man with a young woman.”
The writer marvels at the eagle’s flight as beyond understanding. Eagles soar with grace and power that seems almost effortless. Their aerial mastery reflects God’s mysterious ways that surpass human comprehension.
6. Job 39:27-29 (NASB)
“Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up and makes his nest on high? On the cliff he dwells and lodges, upon the rocky crag, an inaccessible place. From there he spies out food; his eyes see it from afar.”
God asks Job if he commands eagles to soar high and build nests in inaccessible places. Eagles’ keen vision and lofty habitation remind us of God’s sovereignty over creation and His ability to see all things clearly from His high position.
7. Revelation 4:7 (NIV)
“The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.”
In John’s heavenly vision, one of the four living creatures had the face of a flying eagle. These creatures worship God continuously, and the eagle represents aspects of God’s character—perhaps His swiftness, His keen vision, or His sovereign authority over all creation.
8. Ezekiel 1:10 (ESV)
“As for the likeness of their faces, each had a human face. The four had the face of a lion on the right side, the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and the four had the face of an eagle.”
Ezekiel’s vision of God’s throne included cherubim with eagle faces. The eagle represents heavenly perspective and divine attributes. These bible verses about eagles in the bible show that God uses eagle imagery even in the most sacred visions of His throne room.
9. Proverbs 23:5 (NKJV)
“Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven.”
Wealth is compared to an eagle flying away—here today, gone tomorrow. Just as you can’t hold an eagle or stop its flight, you can’t permanently grasp material riches. This warns against trusting in uncertain wealth.
10. Deuteronomy 28:49 (NLT)
“The LORD will bring a distant nation against you from the end of the earth, and it will swoop down on you like a vulture. It is a nation whose language you do not understand.”
Though some translations say “vulture,” the Hebrew word can mean eagle. The image is of a nation swooping down swiftly and powerfully like an eagle on its prey. This illustrates the speed and inevitability of God’s judgment when He uses nations as instruments.
11. Jeremiah 49:16 (CSB)
“As to the terror you cause, your presumptuous heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, you who occupy the mountain summit. Though you elevate your nest like the eagle, even from there I will bring you down.’ This is the LORD’s declaration.”
Even eagles building nests in high, secure places can be brought down by God. No position is so lofty or secure that it’s beyond God’s reach. Human pride placing itself high like an eagle’s nest will still be humbled by the Almighty.
12. Job 9:25-26 (NASB)
“Now my days are swifter than a runner; they flee away, they see no good. They slip by like reed boats, like an eagle swooping on its prey.”
Job describes life’s brevity by comparing it to an eagle swooping on prey—sudden, swift, and unstoppable. Time moves with the speed of an eagle’s dive, reminding us to number our days wisely and live with eternal perspective.
13. Lamentations 4:19 (NIV)
“Our pursuers were swifter than eagles in the sky; they chased us over the mountains and lay in wait for us in the desert.”
Jeremiah describes enemies as swifter than eagles, emphasizing their speed and relentlessness. Eagles are among the fastest birds, especially in their hunting dives. This vivid imagery communicates the terror of being pursued by unstoppable forces.
14. Hosea 8:1 (ESV)
“Set the trumpet to your lips! One like a vulture is over the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant and rebelled against my law.”
Again, the Hebrew word for “vulture” here can mean eagle. An eagle over God’s house represents impending judgment coming swiftly. When God’s people break covenant, judgment descends with the speed and certainty of an eagle diving toward its target.
15. Habakkuk 1:8 (NKJV)
“Their horses also are swifter than leopards, and more fierce than evening wolves. Their chargers charge ahead; their cavalry comes from afar; they fly as the eagle that hastens to eat.”
The prophet describes invading armies flying like eagles hastening to eat. Eagles in the bible often symbolize speed and power, making them effective images for swift judgment or military might descending on a target.
16. 2 Samuel 1:23 (NLT)
“How beloved and gracious were Saul and Jonathan! They were together in life and in death. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.”
David’s lament compares Saul and Jonathan to eagles in swiftness and lions in strength. Being compared to an eagle was high praise, recognizing their speed, agility, and effectiveness in battle. Eagles represented the best qualities of warriors.
17. Jeremiah 48:40 (CSB)
“For this is what the LORD says: Look! He will swoop down like an eagle and spread his wings against Moab.”
God swooping down like an eagle with spread wings is an image of inescapable judgment. When God moves against nations in judgment, His action is as swift, powerful, and certain as an eagle capturing prey. Nothing can escape His reach.
18. Ezekiel 17:3 (NASB)
“Say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “A great eagle with great wings, long pinions and full plumage of many colors came to Lebanon and took away the top of the cedar.”‘”
God uses an allegory of a great eagle with magnificent wings and colorful plumage. This eagle represents a powerful king. The imagery emphasizes majesty, strength, and authority—qualities eagles possess and that God occasionally uses to represent earthly powers.
19. Daniel 7:4 (NIV)
“The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a human being, and the mind of a human was given to it.”
Daniel’s vision includes a creature with eagle wings, representing a kingdom’s swift conquest and power. The wings being torn off symbolizes loss of that imperial power. Eagles’ wings represent dominion and rapid expansion of authority.
20. Obadiah 1:4 (ESV)
“Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the LORD.”
Even if you soar as high as an eagle and make your nest among the stars, God can bring you down. No height of pride or power is beyond God’s reach. These references to eagles in the bible remind us that God is sovereign over even the mightiest creatures and nations.
21. Matthew 24:28 (NKJV)
“For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.”
Jesus uses eagles (or vultures) gathering around a carcass to illustrate inevitability and certainty. Where death is, these birds will find it without fail. This speaks to the certainty of judgment and the discernment needed to recognize spiritual truth.
22. Leviticus 11:13-14 (NLT)
“These are the birds you must never eat because they are detestable for you: the griffon vulture, the bearded vulture, the black vulture, the kite, falcons of all kinds.”
While eagles aren’t specifically named here in this translation, the Hebrew includes birds of prey that would encompass eagles. They were among the unclean birds, likely because they ate carrion or prey. This didn’t diminish their symbolic importance but established dietary boundaries.
23. Deuteronomy 14:12 (CSB)
“But these are the ones you may not eat: eagles, bearded vultures, black vultures.”
Eagles are specifically listed among birds the Israelites couldn’t eat. Despite being unclean for consumption, eagles maintained their symbolic significance as representatives of strength, renewal, and God’s character throughout Scripture.
24. Micah 1:16 (NASB)
“Make yourself bald and cut off your hair, because of the children of your delight; extend your baldness like the eagle, for they will go from you into exile.”
The prophet tells Israel to mourn like an eagle that molts, becoming temporarily bald. This refers to the eagle’s renewal process where it sheds feathers. Even in mourning imagery, eagles represent transformation and the cycles of loss and renewal.
25. Proverbs 30:17 (NIV)
“The eye that mocks a father, that scorns an aged mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures.”
Though this mentions vultures specifically, eagles are among the carrion birds. The imagery warns of judgment for dishonoring parents—even proud eyes will be brought low and consumed by birds that include eagles in their ranks.
26. Ezekiel 17:7 (ESV)
“And there was another great eagle with great wings and much plumage, and behold, this vine bent its roots toward him and shot forth its branches toward him from the bed where it was planted, that he might water it.”
Another great eagle appears in Ezekiel’s allegory, representing a different king. The vine (representing God’s people) turns toward this eagle seeking help. Eagles symbolize powerful rulers to whom nations look for protection and provision.
27. Hosea 8:1 (NASB)
“Put the trumpet to your lips! Like an eagle the enemy comes against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed My covenant and rebelled against My law.”
An eagle represents the enemy coming against God’s house because of covenant breaking. The speed and power of an eagle’s attack illustrates how swiftly judgment comes when God’s people abandon His covenant and rebel against His law.
28. Jeremiah 4:13 (NKJV)
“Behold, he shall come up like clouds, and his chariots like a whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are plundered!”
Enemy horses are described as swifter than eagles, emphasizing the terrifying speed of invasion. This hyperbolic comparison to eagles underscores that judgment’s arrival is faster than even these swift birds, leaving no time for escape.
29. Revelation 8:13 (NLT)
“Then I looked up. And I heard a single eagle crying loudly as it flew through the air, ‘Terror, terror, terror to all who belong to this world because of what will happen when the last three angels blow their trumpets.’”
An eagle flying through heaven announces coming terror. In Revelation’s apocalyptic imagery, an eagle serves as God’s messenger declaring judgment. Eagles in the bible often herald significant divine action, whether deliverance or judgment.
30. Revelation 12:14 (CSB)
“The woman was given two wings of a great eagle, so that she could fly from the serpent’s presence to her place in the wilderness, where she was fed for a time, times, and half a time.”
The woman in this vision receives eagle’s wings to escape the serpent. This echoes Exodus 19:4 where God carried Israel on eagle’s wings. Eagle wings represent God’s supernatural deliverance and protection, carrying His people away from danger.
31. Psalm 103:5 (ESV)
“Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
God satisfies you with good things that renew your youth like an eagle. Ancient observers noticed eagles seemed to maintain vigor throughout their lives. God promises similar renewal—He refreshes and restores strength no matter your age or weariness.
32. Jeremiah 49:22 (NIV)
“Look! An eagle will soar and swoop down, spreading its wings over Bozrah. In that day the hearts of Edom’s warriors will be like the heart of a woman in labor.”
God describes His judgment swooping down like an eagle with spread wings. The image is both beautiful and terrifying—eagles are magnificent in flight but deadly to their prey. God’s judgment combines majesty with inevitable consequence.
33. Job 39:27 (NKJV)
“Does the eagle mount up at your command, and make its nest on high?”
God asks Job if he commands the eagle to fly high and nest in lofty places. The obvious answer is no—eagles obey God alone. This reminds us that God sovereignly directs even the most powerful creatures, and they respond to His voice, not ours.
34. Ezekiel 1:10 (CSB)
“Their faces looked something like this: Each of the four had a human face, and on the right a lion’s face, and on the left an ox’s face, and an eagle’s face.”
The cherubim in Ezekiel’s vision had four faces including an eagle. These faces may represent different attributes of God or aspects of creation. The eagle likely symbolizes heavenly perspective, swiftness, and divine sovereignty over all below.
35. Deuteronomy 32:11 (NIV)
“Like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft.”
God is compared to an eagle teaching young to fly by stirring the nest and hovering nearby to catch them. This tender image shows God challenges us to grow while always being ready to catch us when we fall. His training includes His protection.
36. Proverbs 30:19 (NASB)
“The way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship in the middle of the sea, and the way of a man with a maid.”
The eagle’s way in the sky is listed among things too wonderful to understand. Eagles soar with such grace and power that their flight seemed almost miraculous to ancient observers. God’s ways are similarly beyond our full comprehension.
37. Isaiah 40:31 (ESV)
“But they who wait for th eLORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not be faint.”
This promise of mounting up with eagle wings encourages weary believers. Eagles don’t constantly flap their wings but ride thermal currents effortlessly to great heights. Similarly, those who wait on God will rise above difficulties with strength that comes from Him, not exhausting personal effort.
38. Exodus 19:4 (NKJV)
“You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.”
God carried Israel on eagle’s wings out of Egypt. This beautiful image combines power with tenderness—eagles are mighty hunters but also caring parents who carry their young. God’s deliverance includes both strength and love.
39. Job 9:26 (CSB)
“They sweep by like boats made of papyrus, like an eagle swooping down on its prey.”
Job describes how quickly his days pass using the image of an eagle swooping on prey. Eagles can dive at incredible speeds. Time moves similarly fast, reminding us that life is brief and we should live with urgency and purpose.
40. Lamentations 4:19 (ESV)
“Our pursuers were swifter than the eagles of the heavens; they chased us on the mountains; they lay in wait for us in the wilderness.”
Pursuers swifter than eagles emphasize inescapable pursuit. Eagles are among the fastest birds, so being pursued by something even swifter is terrifying. This imagery communicates the hopelessness of fleeing from God’s judgment without repentance and His mercy.
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Eagles
Dear friend, as we’ve explored eagles in the bible together, perhaps you’ve been struck by how consistently God uses these magnificent birds to teach spiritual truths.
Eagles aren’t just randomly mentioned but deliberately chosen to reveal aspects of God’s character and His relationship with us.
When Scripture speaks of eagles, it’s showing us God’s strength in carrying us, His high perspective that sees everything clearly, His power to lift us above our circumstances, His tender protection as He teaches us to soar, and His promise of supernatural renewal when we’re exhausted.
These birds that ancient peoples observed with wonder become living illustrations of divine realities. The eagle that effortlessly rides thermal currents to soaring heights pictures the believer who waits on God and rises above life’s storms without frantic striving.
The eagle that stirs its nest and catches falling eaglets shows how God challenges us to grow while never letting us fall beyond His reach. The eagle’s keen vision from great heights reminds us that God sees everything with perfect clarity from His sovereign position.
Eagles in the bible consistently point us to a God who is powerful yet tender, high above yet intimately involved, challenging yet protective. When you feel weak and weary, remember Isaiah 40:31 and trust that waiting on the Lord will renew your strength.
When you need deliverance, remember Exodus 19:4 and know that God carries you on eagle’s wings. When life moves too fast, remember Job’s imagery and number your days wisely. Eagles in the bible aren’t just interesting nature facts; they’re divine object lessons written into creation to teach us about our Creator.
Let these truths sink deep into your heart. The God who created eagles with their remarkable characteristics is the same God who wants to lift you, renew you, protect you, and help you soar above the circumstances that would otherwise keep you grounded.
Trust His strength, rest on His wings, and wait expectantly for the renewal He promises to those who hope in Him.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the beauty and power You’ve displayed in eagles and for using these magnificent birds throughout Scripture to teach me about who You are.
I’m amazed that You chose eagle imagery to help me understand Your character—Your strength, Your tender care, Your ability to lift me above circumstances, and Your promise of renewal.
Thank You for carrying me on eagle’s wings out of bondage and bringing me to Yourself. Like eagles bearing their young, You’ve protected me, challenged me to grow, and caught me when I’ve fallen.
Forgive me for the times I’ve tried to soar in my own strength instead of waiting on You and allowing Your power to lift me.
Help me remember that mounting up with eagle’s wings isn’t about my effort but about trusting You to carry me on the currents of Your Spirit. When I’m weary and feel like I can’t take another step, renew my strength as You’ve promised.
Restore my youth like the eagle’s and fill my life with good things. Give me the eagle’s perspective—help me see situations from Your high vantage point instead of being limited by my earthly view. Teach me to soar above the storms instead of being battered by them.
Thank You that You hover over me like an eagle over its young, always ready to catch me when I falter. Help me trust Your process of teaching me to fly even when it’s uncomfortable.
Give me keen spiritual vision like the eagle’s sight, able to see clearly what You’re doing and where You’re leading. Protect me under the shadow of Your wings.
Thank You for being the God who is both mighty like an eagle’s power and tender like an eagle’s care for its young. I praise You for Your creativity in making these birds and Your wisdom in using them to reveal spiritual truths.
Help me soar in faith, trusting Your strength rather than my own. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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