Beast

Easton's Bible Dictionary

This word is used of flocks or herds of grazing animals (Exod 22:5; Num 20:4, 8, 11; Ps 78:48); of beasts of burden (Gen 45:17); of eatable beasts (Prov 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 (1 Cor 15:39), for service (Luke 10:34; Acts 23:24), and for sacrifice (Acts 7:42).

When used in contradistinction to man (Ps 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 (Exod 20:10; 23:12), and in the Sabbatical year all cattle were allowed to roam about freely, and eat whatever grew in the fields (Exod 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; Deut 22:10). Oxen when used in threshing were not to be prevented from eating what was within their reach (Deut 25:4; 1 Cor 9:9).

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

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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 (Gen 45:17; Exod 22:5; Num 20:8 the King James Version), nephesh (Lev 24:18), and Tebhach (Prov 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 (Titus 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 (Luke 10:34) and for the beasts with which Lysias provided Paul for his journey to Caesarea (Acts 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; 1 Kgs 4:28 the King James Version, margin; compare Esth 8:10; Esth 8:14).