Bear
“Bear; possibly from a root meaning 'to move by creeping' or from Arabic 'hairy'”
Summary
A large, dangerous carnivorous mammal native to the mountains of Palestine, noted in Scripture for its ferocity, especially when robbed of its cubs, and used symbolically of fierce enemies and divine judgment.
☩The Syrian Bear
The Syrian bear (Ursus Syriacus) inhabited the mountainous regions of Palestine, particularly Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon, and still exists there in small numbers. It differs from the European brown bear in having a lower, longer body and a dull buff or yellowish-white color. During winter, bears descend from the snowy heights to raid villages and gardens, which explains their encounters with shepherds and travelers in biblical times.
☩David and the Bear
When defending his qualifications to face Goliath, David recounted how he had delivered his flock from both a lion and a bear. This was no small feat—the bear's immense strength, low vulnerability, and ability to climb trees made it one of the most dangerous predators a shepherd could encounter. David's victory demonstrated the providential preparation God gives his servants for greater challenges.
☩A She-Bear Robbed of Cubs
The she-bear bereaved of her whelps became proverbial for uncontrollable fury. When she returns to her den and finds her cubs missing, she becomes frantic with rage, attacking every creature in her path and pursuing the plunderer relentlessly. This image expressed the deadliest form of danger: 'Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.' God threatened to meet Israel 'as a bear bereaved of her whelps' in judgment.
☩Prophetic Symbolism
In Daniel's vision of four beasts representing world empires, the bear symbolized the Medo-Persian kingdom. It raised itself on one side—representing Persia's dominance over Media—and had three ribs in its mouth, signifying its conquest of Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt. The beast of Revelation combines features of leopard, lion, and bear, the bear's feet representing devastating destructive power.
☩The Bears at Bethel
When youths mocked Elisha saying 'Go up, you bald head!'—perhaps mocking both his appearance and his claim to Elijah's prophetic succession—two she-bears emerged from the woods and mauled forty-two of them. This severe judgment demonstrated that contempt for God's prophets was contempt for God himself. The location near Bethel, a center of corrupt worship, may suggest the mockers represented deeper apostasy.
Related Verses8 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Bear," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Bear," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Bear," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).