NEST
The place a bird or animal prepares for raising its young. In an accommodated sense, it is any snug, comfortable or cozy residence or retreat; a lodging.—Prov. 27:8; Isa. 10:14; 16:2.
The nests of birds vary greatly in location, size and construction, but each type suits better than any other the particular use for which it is designed. Locations of different varieties range from the earth or the sand (snakes are also said to have “nests” on the ground or among rocks [Isa. 34:15]), to tufts of grass, bushes, rocks, trees, hollow tree trunks, seashore cliffs, mountains, crevices in man’s buildings, even suspended over water between reeds. Among building materials used are twigs, leaves, seaweed, wool, cotton, hay, straw, moss, fur, feathers, the down of plants, horsehair, pieces of cloth, and so forth. In general nests serve as protection from predators, as shelter from storms and as insulation from heat and cold.
FIGURATIVE USE
Jehovah called Job’s attention to His marvelous creative works, among them the eagle, that “builds its nest high up, that on a crag it resides and stays during the night upon the tooth of a crag and an inaccessible place.” (Job 39:27, 28) The eagle is spoken of also as ‘stirring up its nest,’ evidently with reference to the manner in which an eagle urges and sometimes shoves the fledgling into the air to teach it to fly. Jehovah similarly brought Israel out of Egypt as a nation. He also administered tender care to the young nation throughout the wilderness journey and while they were settling in the Promised Land, just as the eagle watches and cares for the young during their flying lessons.—Deut. 32:11; see EAGLE.
In judgment messages against Edom, God used the eagle’s high nesting place as a symbol of Edom’s literally high location in the mountains, as well as its haughtiness and presumptuousness.—Jer. 49:15-18; Obad. 1-4; compare God’s declaration against Babylon, at Habakkuk 1:6; 2:6-11.
The rock dove
Another bird, the rock dove, also builds its nest high in rocky places. The towering rocks in the vicinity of the Dead Sea provide numerous clefts and caves for its nests. Jeremiah may have had these secluded nests in mind in pronouncing judgment on Moab, who dwelt in this area: “Leave the cities and reside on the crag, you inhabitants of Moab, and become like the dove that makes its nest in the regions of the mouth of the hollow.”—Jer. 48:28; compare Balaam’s utterance at Numbers 24:21.
Cedars of Lebanon
The thick foliage of the strong cedars of Lebanon served as an excellent nesting location; there was ample year-round shelter and concealment. The psalmist cited this as an example of God’s marvelous provisions for the welfare of his creatures. (Ps. 104:16, 17) Ezekiel used a lofty cedar of Lebanon where “all the flying creatures of the heavens made their nests” to represent mighty Assyria, to which many people were looking for protection, but which God cut down.—Ezek. 31:2-6; compare Daniel 4:12; Matthew 13:32.
As an illustration, in prophesying against Jerusalem, Jeremiah referred to the loftiness of Lebanon’s trees and the value of its cedarwood, used particularly by kings and rich men in construction of their houses. The palace of Judah’s king and the government buildings at Jerusalem had been constructed largely of cedar. Hence Jeremiah spoke of the inhabitants of Jerusalem as those “dwelling in Lebanon, being nested in the cedars.” But from this lofty position they were to be brought low.—Jer. 22:6, 23.
A place to ‘lay down one’s head’
Certain translations render the Greek word ka·ta·skeʹno·sis as “nest”; actually it refers to a ‘resting-place or roost’ where birds settle at night, not a nest for incubating eggs and rearing young. When a certain one of the scribes said to Jesus: “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you are about to go,” Jesus replied: “Foxes have dens and birds of heaven have roosts, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay down his head.” (Matt. 8:19, 20; Luke 9:57, 58) Here Jesus pointed out that to be his follower the man would have to forsake the idea of having the comforts and conveniences commonly enjoyed, and must put his trust completely in Jehovah. This principle is reflected in the model prayer he taught his disciples: “Give us today our bread for this day,” and his statement: “Thus, you may be sure, none of you that does not say good-by to all his belongings can be my disciple.”—Matt. 6:11; Luke 14:33.
A LAW TO PREVENT CRUELTY
Under the Law, the Israelites were forbidden to take the eggs or the young from a nest and at the same time kill the mother. This prevented the cruelty of completely wiping out the family at one stroke. The mother was to be spared, to produce more young.—Deut. 22:6, 7.
A “COMPARTMENT”
At Genesis 6:14, the Hebrew word qin·nimʹ (“nests”) is translated “rooms” (AV; RS), “cabins” (AT) and “compartments” (NW). Evidently these were relatively small compartments in the ark built by Noah and, similar to birds’ nests, served as a protection and shelter through a critical time when men and animals were otherwise helpless.