Hen

1. Etymology and roots in the Old Testament

The search for a profound theological term for Hen in the Old Testament reveals an absence of direct use as a doctrinal concept. Unlike animals such as the lamb, which possesses rich sacrificial and messianic symbolism, the Hen is not a central animal in Israel’s narratives, law, or prophetic literature. However, the Old Testament offers a conceptual background for the image that Jesus would later employ, through the figurative language of divine protection and care, frequently associated with birds.

The Hebrew Scriptures use generic terms for birds, such as tsippor (צִפּוֹר), which refers to birds in general, and oph (עוֹף), which encompasses any flying creature. Although there is no specific Hebrew word widely recognized as "chicken" in the modern sense, the agricultural and domestic environment of ancient Israel certainly included domesticated fowl. The Mosaic Law, for example, differentiated between clean and unclean birds, although the Hen itself is not explicitly named among the birds to be sacrificed, such as turtledoves or pigeons (Leviticus 1:14).

The understanding of divine care in Hebrew thought is frequently expressed through avian metaphors. Psalms like Psalm 17:8 and Psalm 91:4 invoke the image of God protecting His people "in the shadow of His wings," or "with His pinions," "under His wings." This language evokes an image of refuge, security, and maternal/paternal care that is fundamental to Israel’s theology. Although not the Hen specifically, the figure of a bird sheltering its young was already present in the Jewish worldview as a symbol of divine protection and provision.

The progressive development of revelation in the Old Testament prepares the ground for understanding the protective nature of God. From the provision of food in the desert (Exodus 16) to the promise of restoration and care for His dispersed people (Isaiah 49:15-16), the image of a God who watches over His children with tenderness and vigilance is constant. The absence of a direct reference to the Hen does not diminish the relevance of the concept of divine care that this figure would come to embody in the New Testament. On the contrary, the metaphor of the protective bird establishes a precedent for understanding the love and solicitude of God.

In summary, while the Hen does not emerge as a distinct theological term in the Old Testament, the cultural setting and figurative language of the Hebrew Scriptures pave the way for its powerful metaphorical use by Jesus. The image of a God who yearns to shelter and protect His people under His wings is one of the tenderest and most persistent in Jewish thought, anticipating the full revelation of divine love in Christ.

2. The Hen in the New Testament and its significance

In the New Testament, the Hen emerges, in a surprising and profoundly significant way, in one of Jesus Christ’s most poignant lamentations. The Greek word used is ornis (ὄρνις), which means "bird" or "fowl," and in the context of Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34, it is specifically employed to describe a "hen" or "mother hen" gathering her chicks. This is the most prominent and theologically charged use of the term in Scripture.

The literal meaning of the Hen in this context is that of a domestic bird which, by natural instinct, offers protection and shelter to its young. Theologically, Jesus elevates this commonplace image to a sublime metaphor of His own love, care, and fervent desire to gather and protect the people of Jerusalem. He laments the city's refusal to accept His protection, comparing it to the chicks' refusal to shelter under the wings of the mother Hen, who would protect them from dangers and adversities.

In the Synoptic Gospels, the passage is identical in Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you! How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing!" This declaration is crucial for understanding the nature of Christ. It reveals not only His divinity and authority but also His compassionate humanity and His heartbrokenness over rejection.

The specific relationship with the person and work of Christ is multifaceted. First, it underscores Jesus' sovereignty as the One who yearns to gather and protect His people. Second, it demonstrates the depth of His love and compassion, a love that extends even to those who reject Him. Third, the metaphor of the Hen and her chicks illustrates the provision of security and refuge that Christ offers to all who come to Him. He is the shelter from life’s storms and the consequences of sin.

The continuity between the Old and New Testaments is evident in how Jesus appropriates an image of divine protection already present in the Hebrew Scriptures (as seen in Psalms 17 and 91) and personifies it in Himself. He is not merely a messenger of God He is God Himself manifested in flesh, offering divine refuge in a tangible way. The discontinuity lies in the clarity and intensity of the revelation: what was a poetic image of God in the OT becomes a personal and moving declaration of the Messiah Himself in the NT, with direct implications for salvation and condemnation.

In other New Testament literature, such as the Pauline epistles or Johannine literature, the Hen is not directly mentioned. However, the spirit of protection, love, and the call to refuge in Christ, which the metaphor of the Hen so vividly expresses, is a central theme throughout the entire theology of the New Testament. The image of the Hen thus becomes an eloquent symbol of the pastoral and redemptive heart of Jesus.

3. The Hen in Pauline theology: the basis of salvation

Although the Hen is not a term explicitly mentioned in the Pauline epistles, Jesus' profound metaphor in Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34 resonates with the central themes of Paul's theology, especially concerning the doctrine of salvation. The image of Christ as the Hen who yearns to gather His children under His wings reflects the character of God revealed by Paul: a God of love, patience, and redemptive desire who offers shelter and salvation.

Paul details the ordo salutis (order of salvation) in his epistles, and the metaphor of the Hen can be seen as a vivid illustration of the divine offer of salvation. The initiative to gather the chicks comes from the mother Hen similarly, salvation is entirely a divine initiative. God, in Christ, extends His invitation and His protection to sinful humanity, not by human merit, but by His sovereign grace. This aligns perfectly with the Pauline doctrine of salvation by grace through faith, and not by works of the Law (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The contrast with the works of the Law and human merit is fundamental. The Hen does not demand that the chicks accomplish anything to be sheltered she simply offers refuge. Likewise, Paul argues that justification is not achieved through rituals or observance of the Law, but by faith in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:28, Galatians 2:16). Jerusalem's refusal to be gathered by Jesus can be seen as an allegory of the human attempt to establish its own righteousness, rejecting God's free offer in Christ.

The metaphor of the Hen also connects with justification, sanctification, and glorification. Justification is God's act of declaring the sinner righteous based on the work of Christ, a shelter under the wings of divine justice. Sanctification, the continuous process of being conformed to the image of Christ, is lived under the protection and direction of the one who gathered us. Glorification is the final consummation of this protection, when we will be fully and eternally sheltered in God's presence, free from all danger and sin.

The central soteriological implications are clear: salvation is a unilateral act of God's love and provision. The rejection of this provision results in condemnation, while acceptance leads to security and eternal life. Jesus' sorrow in lamenting for Jerusalem, which refused to be gathered, reflects God's sorrow over disobedience and unbelief, even as He continues to extend the saving hand. Pauline theology echoes this reality, emphasizing the seriousness of the Gospel and the need for repentance and faith.

In summary, although Paul does not use the image of the Hen, the essence of what Jesus expressed with this metaphor – the compassionate love of God, the offer of protection and salvation, the sorrow over rejection, and the centrality of Christ as the only refuge – permeates all of his theology. The image of the Hen serves as a powerful illustration of the heart of God that Paul so eloquently describes in his letters.

4. Aspects and types of the Hen

When we consider the Hen as a theological concept, we are not speaking of different species of birds, but rather of the various facets and implications of the metaphor employed by Jesus in Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34. This metaphor, though unique in its occurrence, reveals multiple aspects of the divine character and God's relationship with humanity.

4.1. The Hen as a symbol of divine compassion

The most evident aspect of the Hen in theology is its representation of God's profound compassion and love. The mother Hen demonstrates an innate instinct for sacrifice and protection, placing herself between her chicks and any threat. Jesus, by using this image, reveals the intensity of His own love and desire to protect His people, even in the face of Jerusalem's impending destruction. This compassionate love is an essential facet of God's nature, as articulated by theologians like John Calvin, who emphasized God's providence and paternal care for all His creation and, especially, for His people.

4.2. The Hen as a symbol of refuge and security

The wings of the Hen offer a safe refuge for the chicks. This aspect symbolizes the security and protection that are found only in Christ. In the Reformed evangelical context, the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, for example, reflects this security: those who are "under the wings" of Christ are kept by His power (John 10:28-29). The image speaks of Christ's sufficiency to shelter His people from all evil, be it sin, death, or the coming judgment.

4.3. The Hen as a symbol of divine sovereignty and invitation

The initiative to gather the chicks comes from the Hen. Likewise, salvation is a sovereign work of God. Jesus extends the invitation, but the response is left to human freedom. Jesus' sorrow ("and you were not willing") underscores the tragedy of human rejection of the divine offer. This aspect addresses the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility, a recurring theme in Reformed theology. God invites but does not force acceptance, lamenting refusal.

4.4. The Hen as a symbol of human vulnerability and the need for God

Chicks are fragile and incapable of defending themselves. They depend entirely on the mother Hen for their survival. This image highlights humanity's vulnerability before sin and divine judgment, and our total dependence on Christ for salvation and protection. It is our incapacity that leads us to seek refuge, and the metaphor of the Hen illustrates Christ's readiness to offer this refuge.

Doctrinal errors to avoid include the idea that salvation is something we can achieve by our own merits (Pelagianism) or that God is indifferent to human choice. The metaphor of the Hen, while demonstrating divine love and offer, also emphasizes the responsibility to respond to this invitation. Reformed theology, through figures like Martin Luther and John Calvin, has always underscored human inability to save oneself and the necessity of God's sovereign grace, but also the reality of human will in rejecting that grace.

5. The Hen and the practical life of the believer

The metaphor of the Hen and her chicks, uttered by Jesus, transcends a mere description of a historical event and offers profound practical applications for the life of the believer. It shapes our piety, worship, and service, and invites us to a response of faith and obedience.

5.1. Refuge and trust in Christ

The image of the Hen gathering her chicks inspires unwavering trust in Christ's protection. Believers are called to seek refuge in Him, especially in times of adversity, temptation, or spiritual danger. Just as chicks run to their mother's wings, we must run to Christ, believing that He is our safe shelter (Psalm 46:1). This trust is manifested in prayer, in reading the Word, and in communion with the church.

5.2. Adoption and belonging

The metaphor also speaks of adoption and belonging. By sheltering under Christ's wings, we are incorporated into His family, becoming His "chicks." This generates a sense of identity and security in our divine sonship (Galatians 4:5-7). The practical life of the believer is lived in the certainty of being loved, cared for, and guarded by the Lord Jesus Himself, which should generate constant gratitude and joy.

5.3. Responsibility and obedience

Although the Hen's offer of protection is unconditional in its love, the safety of the chicks depends on their willingness to shelter. Likewise, the Christian life demands a response of faith and obedience. We cannot simply ignore Christ's invitation and expect to be protected. Personal responsibility involves a voluntary submission to Christ's Lordship and His commandments (John 14:15). Charles Spurgeon frequently exhorted believers to fully take refuge in Christ, emphasizing that active faith and obedience are the natural response to such protective love.

5.4. Piety, worship, and service

Understanding Christ's protective love, symbolized by the Hen, should deepen our piety. It leads us to a life of reverence and gratitude. Our worship becomes more authentic as we recognize the greatness of the One who offers us refuge. In service, we are called to imitate this compassionate care of Christ, reaching out to the vulnerable and needy, and inviting others to find refuge in the Savior's wings. The church, as the body of Christ, is called to be a place of shelter and care, reflecting the Lord's solicitude.

5.5. Implications for the contemporary church and pastoral exhortations

For the contemporary church, the image of the Hen serves as a powerful reminder of Christ's evangelistic and pastoral heart. The church should be a place where Christ's invitation to refuge is clearly proclaimed and where the "chicks" (new converts, the weak in faith) are cared for and protected. Pastors, as leaders of the flock, are called to embody the spirit of the mother Hen, watching over those under their care, offering spiritual direction and protection. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, for example, emphasized the need for pastors to demonstrate genuine love and care for their congregations, guiding and protecting them in the same way Christ does.

The balance between doctrine and practice is crucial. The doctrine of Christ's protective love, illustrated by the Hen, is not merely a theoretical truth but a call to action. It invites us to live a life of active faith, seeking Christ as our refuge, expressing gratitude in worship, and imitating His compassionate love in service to others and in the proclamation of the Gospel. It is an exhortation to remain under His wings, where there is security, love, and abundant life (John 10:10).