Dictionaries :: Beast

Beast:

This word is used of flocks or herds of grazing animals (Exd 22:5; Num 20:4,8,11; Psa 78:48); of beasts of burden (Gen 45:17); of eatable beasts (Pro 9:2); and of swift beasts or dromedaries (Isa 60:6). In the New Testament it is used of a domestic animal as property (Rev 18:13); as used for food (1Cr 15:39), for service (Luk 10:34; Act 23:24), and for sacrifice (Act 7:42).

When used in contradistinction to man (Psa 36:6), it denotes a brute creature generally, and when in contradistinction to creeping things (Lev 11:2-7; 27:26), a four-footed animal.

The Mosaic law required that beasts of labour should have rest on the Sabbath (Exd 20:10; 23:12), and in the Sabbatical year all cattle were allowed to roam about freely, and eat whatever grew in the fields (Exd 23:11; Lev 25:7). No animal could be castrated (Lev 22:24). Animals of different kinds were to be always kept separate (Lev 19:19; Deu 22:10). Oxen when used in threshing were not to be prevented from eating what was within their reach (Deu 25:4; 1Cr 9:9).

This word is used figuratively of an infuriated multitude (1Cr 15:32; Act 19:29; Psa 22:12,16; Ecc 3:18; Isa 11:6-8), and of wicked men (2Pe 2:12). The four beasts of Dan 7:3, 17, 23 represent four kingdoms or kings.

Beast:

best: This word occurs often in both Old and New Testaments and denotes generally a mammal (though sometimes a reptile) in distinction to a man, a bird, or a fish. In this distinction the English is fairly in accord with the Hebrew and Greek originals. The commonest Hebrew words behemah and chai have their counterpart in the Arabic as do three others less often used, be‘ir (Ge 45:17; Ex 22:5; Nu 20:8 the King James Version), nephesh (Le 24:18), and Tebhach (Pr 9:2). Behemah and A rabic bahimah are from a root signifying vagueness or dumbness and so denote primarily a dumb beast. Chai and Arabic chaiwan are from the root chayah (Arabic chaya), "to live," and denote primarily living creatures. Be‘ir, "cattle," and its root-verb, ba‘ar, "to graze," are identical with the Arabic ba‘ir and ba‘ara, but with a curious difference in meaning. Ba‘ir is a common word for camel among the Bedouin and the root-verb, ba‘ara, means "to drop dung," ba‘rah being a common word for the dung of camels, goats, and sheep. Nephesh corresponds in every way with the Arabic nephs, "breath," "soul" or "self" Tebhach from Tabhach, "to slaughter," is equivalent to the Arabic dhibch from dhabacha, with the same meaning. Both therion ("wild beast"), and zoon ("living thing"), occur often in the Apocalypse. They are found also in a few other places, as mammals (Heb 13:11) or figuratively (Tit 1:12). Therion is used also of the viper which fastened on Paul's hand, and this has parallels in classic al Greek. Beasts of burden and beasts used for food were and are an important form of property, hence, ktenos ("possession"), the word used for the good Samaritan's beast (Lu 10:34) and for the beasts with which Lysias provided Paul for his journey to Caesarea (Ac 23:24).

For "swift beast," kirkaroth, "dromedary" (Isa 66:20 the King James Version), see CAMEL. For "swift beast," rekhesh, see HORSE (Mic 1:13 the King James Version; 1Ki 4:28 the King James Version, margin; compare Es 8:10,14).

Written by Alfred Ely Day

See WILD BEAST

Beast:

primarily denotes "a living being" (zoe, "life"). The Eng., "animal," is the equivalent, stressing the fact of life as the characteristic feature. In Hbr 13:11 the AV and the RV translate it "beasts" ("animals" would be quite suitable). In 2Pe 2:12; Jud 1:10, the AV has "beasts," the RV "creatures." In the Apocalypse, where the word is found some 20 times, and always of those beings which stand before the Throne of God, who give glory and honor and thanks to Him, Rev 4:6, and act in perfect harmony with His counsels, Rev 5:14; 6:1-7, e.g., the word "beasts" is most unsuitable; the RV, "living creatures," should always be used; it gives to zoon its appropriate significance.
See CREATURE.

Beast:

to be distinguished from zoon, almost invariably denotes "a wild beast." In Act 28:4, "venomous beast" is used of the viper which fastened on Paul's hand. Zoon stresses the vital element, therion the bestial. The idea of a "beast" of prey is not always present. Once, in Hbr 12:20, it is used of the animals in the camp of Israel, such, e.g., as were appointed for sacrifice: But in the Sept. therion is never used of sacrificial animals; the word ktenos (see below) is reserved for these.

Therion, in the sense of "wild beast", is used in the Apocalypse for the two Antichristian potentates who are destined to control the affairs of the nations with Satanic power in the closing period of the present era, Rev 11:7; 13:1-18; 14:9, 11; 15:2; 16:2, 10, 13; 17:3-17; 19:19, 20; 20:4, 10.

Beast:

primarily denotes "property" (the connected verb ktaomai means "to possess"); then, "property in flocks and herds." In Scripture it signifies,

(a) a "beast" of burden, Luk 10:34; Act 23:24,

(b) "beasts" of any sort, apart from those signified by therion (see above), 1Cr 15:39; Rev 18:13,

(c) animals for slaughter; this meaning is not found in the NT, but is very frequent in the Sept.

Beast:

"a four-footed beast" (tetra, "four," and pous, "a foot") is found in Act 10:12; 11:6; Rom 1:23.

Beast:

from sphazo, "to slay," denotes "a victim slaughtered for sacrifice, a slain beast," Act 7:42, in a quotation from Amo 5:25.