Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

BEAST

Unspecified creatures from the animal kingdom. Heb. ḥayyâ (cf. Aram. ḥêwâ) and bĕhēmâ most often refer to mammals and are often used as collective terms for an assortment of animals. Heb. ḥayyâ frequently refers to wild animals, while bĕhēmâ is more commonly applied to domesticated animals, most often cattle.

Though a metaphorical use of the concept was not prevalent elsewhere in the OT, Daniel used Aram. ḥêwâ for the world powers which were hostile to Israel (Dan. 7:1-12); the emerging world rulers were seen to possess the attributes of wild beasts. This metaphor became the dominant use of beast (Gk. thēríon) in the NT.

The book of Revelation uses “beast” 37 times to refer to the enemies of the Church. A beast rises from the abyss (Rev. 11:7), another from the sea (13:1), another from the earth (v. 11), and another is described as a scarlet beast upon which an adulterous woman is sitting (17:3). The preeminent beast of Revelation emerges to become the antichrist who opposes and persecutes the Church and thwarts the will of God until the final battle with Christ (19:20).

This metaphorical use of beast is expanded in other NT passages. Tit. 1:12 comments derogatorily that people of Crete are liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons. In 1 Cor. 15:32 Paul states that he fought with wild beasts in Ephesus (Gk. thēriomachéō).

Mark R. Fairchild

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

BEAST

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)