Sparrow in Fausset's Bible Dictionary

Related to Hebrew tsipor, imitation of the sound made by it, "tzip" (Psalm 84:3. (See BIRD.) Leviticus 14:4-7 margin.) On the meaning of the rite in cleansing leper's, one tsippor killed, the other dipped in its blood and let loose alive, Cowper writes: "Dipped in his fellow's blood, The living bird went free; The type, well understood, Expressed the sinner's plea; Described a guilty soul enlarged, And by a Saviour's death discharged." Its commonness gives point to Jesus' remark, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing ... one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. ... Fear ye not therefore ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:29; Matthew 10:31; Luke 12:6-7). There are one hundred different species of the passerine order in Israel.