כָּנָף

From the study of Malachi 4:2

Range of meaning

Wing of a bird. Then anything that spreads out or forms an outer edge: the hem or corner of a garment (Num 15:38; Deut 22:12; Ruth 3:9; 1 Sam 15:27) and the 'corners' of the earth (Isa 11:12). Wings are also an image of protection (Ruth 2:12; Ps 91:4).

Against the English

'Wings' is correct. NIV's 'rays' explains the picture, but it loses the word's links to 'the wings of the dawn' (Ps 139:9) and to sheltering wings. KJV's 'his wings' misreads the possessive: the Hebrew 'her' agrees with the feminine 'sun'.

How it drifted

Two later developments shape how readers hear it. One is reading the Sun as a person ('his wings'). The other, more recent, links kānāp here to the tassel corners of a prayer shawl.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the ancient Near East the winged sun-disk was a very common symbol of divine and royal protection: in Egypt, in Assyria, and in Persian royal art of Malachi's own day. It also appears on Judean royal jar-handle stamps from King Hezekiah's time (late 8th century BC). Within the Bible, compare 'wings of the dawn' (Ps 139:9).

From the study of Isaiah 6:2

Range of meaning

Wing, and also the edge, hem or corner of a garment, and the extremities of the earth. Wings are used for protection ("under his wings," Psalm 91:4) and for covering (the cherubim's wings over the ark, 1 Kings 6:27; 8:7).

Against the English

"Wings" is accurate. English loses the link to garment edges. Verse 1 has just described the hem of the Lord's robe filling the temple, using a different word (šûlāyw).

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Jerusalem temple's inner room, two great carved cherubim spread wings that covered the ark (1 Kings 6:23–28). Winged guardian figures were common in ancient Near Eastern palace and temple art. Ezekiel's living creatures have four wings, two of which cover their bodies (Ezekiel 1:11, 23).

From the study of Psalm 36:7

Range of meaning

Wing (of birds or cherubim). It also means the edge or hem of a garment (Ruth 3:9; 1 Sam 15:27) and the "ends" of the earth (Isa 11:12).

Against the English

English "wings" is accurate. What it can't carry are the related meanings: the protective "wing" or hem of a garment spread over someone (Ruth 3:9) and the cherubim wings in the sanctuary.

Used elsewhere in the period

The eagle over its young (Deut 32:11). Ruth finding refuge "under his wings" (Ruth 2:12, with the same verb ḥāsâ). Cherubim wings overshadowing the ark (Exod 25:20; 1 Kgs 8:6–7). Egyptian and Levantine art often shows winged goddesses or a winged sun disk sheltering the king (Keel).