Wild Beast

WILD BEAST

wild best:

(1) ziz, only with sadhay, "field," in the expression, ziz sadhay, translated "wild beasts of the field" (Psalm 50:11; Psalm 80:13); compare Targum to Psalm 80:13, ziza', "worm" (BDB); Arabic ziz, "worm."

(2) tsiyim (Isaiah 13:21; Isaiah 34:14 Jeremiah 50:39).

(3) 'iyim (Isaiah 13:21; Isaiah 34:14 Jeremiah 50:39).

(4) chay, "living thing," often translated "wild beast" in English Versions of the Bible (1 Samuel 17:46, etc.).

(5) In Apocrypha (Additions to Esther 16:24, etc.) and the New Testament (Mark 1:13), therion.

(6) Acts 10:12 the King James Version; Acts 11:6, tetrapodon, the Revised Version (British and American) "four-rooted beast."

(1), (2) and (3) are of doubtful etymology, but the context makes it clear in each case that wild beasts of some sort are meant. The Targum ziza', "worm," is possible in Psalm 80:13, though not probable in view of the parallel "boar": "The boar out of the wood doth ravage it, and the wild beasts of the field feed on it," i.e. on the vine (figurative) brought out of Egypt. In Psalm 50:11, however, such an interpretation is out of the question. All the references from 50:8 to 50:13 are to large animals, bullocks, goats, cattle and birds. Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) and the Septuagint have in 80:13 "wild beast" and in 50:11 "beauty of the field" (translated)!

Tsiyim, doubtfully referred to tsiydh, "drought," occurs in prophecies of the desolation of Babylon in Isaiah 13:21 ("wild beasts of the desert") and Jeremiah 50:39, of Edom in Isaiah 34:14, of Assyria in Isaiah 23:13 ("them that dwell in the wilderness"). It is associated in these passages with names of wild beasts and birds, some of them of very doubtful meaning, such as tannim, 'ochim, 'iyim, se`irim, benoth ya`anah. Wild beasts of some sort are clearly meant, though the kind can only be conjectured. The word occurs in Psalm 74:14 ("the people inhabiting the wilderness") where it is possible to understand "beasts" instead of people. It occurs also in Psalm 72:9 ("they that dwell in the wilderness"), where it seems necessary to understand "men." If the reading stands, it is not easy to reconcile this passage with the others.

'Iyim occurs in Isaiah 13:21 and 34:14 and in Jeremiah 50:39, three of the passages cited for tsiyim. the King James Version referring to 'i, "island," renders "wild beasts of the islands" (Isaiah 13:22). the Revised Version (British and American) has "wolves," margin "howling creatures"; compare Arabic `anwa', "to howl," and ibn-'awa' or wawi, "jackal."

See JACKAL.

Alfred Ely

6728. tsiyyi -- wild beast of the desert, that dwell in inhabiting ...
... tsiyyi. 6729 >>. wild beast of the desert, that dwell in inhabiting the wilderness.
Transliteration: tsiyyi Phonetic Spelling: (tsee-ee') Short Definition: desert ...
/hebrew/6728.htm - 6k

338. i -- a jackal
... Word Origin from oy Definition a jackal NASB Word Usage Hyenas (1), jackals
(1), wolves (1). wild beast of the islands. Probably ...
/hebrew/338.htm - 6k

2123. ziyz -- moving things (ie beasts)
... abundance, wild beast From an unused root apparently meaning to be conspicuous;
fulness of the breast; also a moving creature -- abundance, wild beast. ...
/hebrew/2123.htm - 5k

2416. chay -- alive, living
... age. age, alive, appetite, wild beast, company, congregation, lifetime, lively,
From chayah; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant ...
/hebrew/2416.htm - 6k

2421b. chayyah -- living thing, animal
... 27), beasts (43), creature (2), creatures (3), life (9), life* (1), live* (1), living
beings (15), living thing (1), wild animals (1), wild beast (1), wild ...
/hebrew/2421b.htm - 5k