(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, `it; 1 Samuel 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

From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Edited by James Orr, published in 1939 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

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