The Greek word stronthion is a diminutive form, meaning any small bird, but was used especially as applying to sparrows. Although the sparrow appears in the Hebrew Scriptures in Psa. 84.3 and 102.7 in the King James Version and some other translations, the Hebrew term tsippor so rendered is evidently a generic term referring to small birds in general, and not specifically identifying the sparrow. However, sparrows are of course to be included as they are to be found at Ain Fasail, Jericho and in several other areas of Palestine.
Different Varieties
We are possibly familiar with an abundance of house sparrows, tree sparrows together with some hedge sparrows, that frequent our towns, parks, gardens and the countryside. There are also rarer visitors from other parts of the world, especially North America. These include the white crowned sparrow, the white throated sparrow, fox sparrow, song sparrow, marsh sparrow and Spanish sparrow. Of these different types the marsh sparrow is very abundant at the southern end of the Dead Sea, and the Spanish sparrow (passer hispaniolensis) is very common in the northern and central areas of Israel. Sparrows also swarm in large numbers in the plain of Gennesaret and are trapped and sold for very little; but they are very sparse and solitary in parts of Judea. The most abundant variety of sparrow in Israel is the common house sparrow (passer domesticus) so well known to many of us.
Distinctive Habits
Sparrows are small brown and grey birds, noisy and gregarious, chirping and twittering, fluttering from their perch on a housetop, tree or bush to the ground to feed and then back again at speed. Sparrows vary in colour, shade, shape, size and habitat, also in their egg colours, clutch size, nest shape and their respective diets. However their diet commonly includes seeds, insects and worms.
Both in ancient and modem times, sparrows have been sold in the markets of the middle east as an item of food. They are usually prepared by plucking, then are spitted on skewers and roasted (like Shish Kebabs). It is noteworthy that in approx. 301 A.D. an ancient inscription of the Emperor Diocletian's tariff law shows that of all the birds used for food, sparrows were the cheapest (Light from the Ancient East by A. Deissmann).
Scriptural References
The only direct references to sparrows in the New Testament are in the statement that the Lord Jesus made during his Galilean preaching tour and evidently restated about a year later during his Judean ministry. He said "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?" (Gk. assarion, worth less than an American cent); or if they were bought in quantities of five "for two farthings". Christ Jesus further stated that, though these small birds were counted as of such little worth, "one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father". "Not one of them is forgotten before God". Jesus then expands the lesson, encouraging his disciples to be free from fear: "Ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Matt. 10.29-31; Luke 12.6-7). Jesus rounds off his exhortation with a reference to the ultimate reward of those who are faithful: "Fear not, little flock: for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12.32).
Concluding Thoughts
So we once again learn the lesson from Scripture that even the small and insignificant have a place in the purpose of our Creator (Gen. 1.20-22). 'Brethren of Christ', created in Jesus, are indeed a "little flock"! Yet the only kind of fear we should display is a wholesome, respectful fear for our great God and Heavenly Father; we should not fear mortal sinful mankind. "And unto man he said. Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding" (Job 28.28).
D.P.