"an eagle" (also a vulture), is perhaps connected with aemi, "to blow," as of the wind, on account of its windlike flight. In Matthew 24:28; Luke 17:37 the vultures are probably intended. The meaning seems to be that, as these birds of prey gather where the carcass is, so the judgments of God will descend upon the corrupt state of humanity. The figure of the "eagle" is used in Ezekiel 17 to represent the great powers of Egypt and Babylon, as being employed to punish corrupt and faithless Israel. Cp. Job 39:30; Proverbs 30:17 . The "eagle" is mentioned elsewhere in the NT in Revelation 4:7; 8:13 (RV); 12:14. There are eight species in Palestine.