Fly

FLY (Verb; `uph petaomai, or, contracted, ptaomai):

Used in preference to "flee" when great speed is to be indicated. "To fly" is used:

(1) Literally, of birds, `uph (Genesis 1:20; Psalms 55:6); da'ah (Deuteronomy 28:49), of sparks (Job 5:7); of the arrow (Psalms 91:5); of the seraphim (Isaiah 6:2,6); of an angel (Daniel 9:21, ya`aph, "to be caused to fly"); of swift action or movement (Psalms 18:10; Jeremiah 48:40); of people (Isaiah 11:14); of a fleet (Isaiah 60:8; 1 Samuel 15:19; 14:32, `asah, "to do," etc.). (2) Figuratively, of a dream (Job 20:8); of man's transitory life (Psalms 90:10); of riches (Proverbs 23:5); of national glory (Hosea 9:11).

For "fly" the Revised Version (British and American) has "soar" (Job 39:26) "fly down" (Isaiah 11:14); for "flying" (Isaiah 31:5) the American Standard Revised Version has "hovering."

W. L. Walker

Copyright Statement

These files are public domain.

Bibliography Information

Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'FLY'".  "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia".  1915.