The translation “directly overhead” would limit the summons to those birds flying in the relatively small space “directly overhead.” The Greek word that is used here, however, means literally “mid-heaven,” describing the horizontal area partway between earth and sky where birds commonly fly, an area that circumvents the planet. As the sun shines everywhere, so this angel’s summons reaches birds everywhere.
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God,