Encyclopedia entry
Bear
A native of the mountain regions of Western Asia, frequently mentioned in Scripture. David defended his flocks against the attacks of a bear (1 Sam. 17:34-37). Bears came out of the wood and destroyed the children who mocked the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 2:24). Their habits are referred to in Isa. 59:11; Prov. 28:15; Lam. 3:10. The fury of the female bear when robbed of her young is spoken of (2 Sam. 17:8; Prov. 17:12; Hos. 13:8). In Daniel’s vision of the four great monarchies, the Medo-Persian empire is represented by a bear (7:5).
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
(1 Samuel 17:34; 2 Samuel 17:8) The Syrian bear, Ursus syriacus, which is without doubt the animal mentioned in the Bible, is still found on the higher mountains of Palestine. During the summer months these bears keep to the snowy parts of Lebanon, but descend in winter to the villages and Gardens. It is probable also that at this period in former days they extended their visits to other parts of Palestine.
In the Bible
266
Verses where Bear is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Chronicles 5:18
The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 warriors—valiant men who carried the shield and sword, drew the bow, and were trained for battle.
- 1 Corinthians 3:2
I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready,
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.
- 1 Corinthians 15:49
And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man.
- 1 John 1:2
And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.
- 1 John 5:7
For there are three that testify:
+260 more verses naming Bear.
Scripture on Bear
196
See all 196 +−
- Ezekiel 36Genesis 17Leviticus 20Numbers 14Deuteronomy 1Judges 132 Samuel 17Lamentations 3Ezekiel 4Ezekiel 16Ezekiel 32Ezekiel 44Hosea 13Matthew 27Galatians 6Genesis 44Leviticus 5Leviticus 19Leviticus 22Leviticus 26Numbers 4Numbers 11Joshua 3Joshua 62 Samuel 18Job 21Proverbs 17Proverbs 28Proverbs 30Isaiah 11Isaiah 46Jeremiah 17Ezekiel 12Ezekiel 17Ezekiel 18Ezekiel 23Matthew 7Luke 18John 1John 5John 8John 182 Corinthians 111 Thessalonians 31 John 5Genesis 4Genesis 13Genesis 16Genesis 18Genesis 20Genesis 21Genesis 22Genesis 30Genesis 36Genesis 43Genesis 49Exodus 18Exodus 20Exodus 25Exodus 27Exodus 30Exodus 38Leviticus 7Leviticus 10Leviticus 12Leviticus 16Leviticus 17Leviticus 24Numbers 1Numbers 5Numbers 7Numbers 9Numbers 30Deuteronomy 5Deuteronomy 10Deuteronomy 21Deuteronomy 28Joshua 4Judges 10Ruth 11 Samuel 121 Kings 31 Kings 141 Kings 212 Kings 22 Kings 32 Kings 182 Kings 191 Chronicles 52 Chronicles 2Esther 1Esther 8Job 9Job 20Job 36Job 38Job 39Psalms 38Psalms 50Psalms 75Psalms 89Psalms 91Psalms 92Psalms 144Proverbs 9Proverbs 12Proverbs 18Song of Solomon 4Isaiah 1Isaiah 7Isaiah 24Isaiah 37Isaiah 52Isaiah 53Isaiah 54Isaiah 59Isaiah 65Jeremiah 5Jeremiah 10Jeremiah 12Jeremiah 15Jeremiah 29Jeremiah 31Jeremiah 44Lamentations 5Ezekiel 14Ezekiel 34Ezekiel 46Ezekiel 47Daniel 2Daniel 7Daniel 9Hosea 9Hosea 10Joel 2Amos 5Amos 7Amos 9Micah 1Micah 6Micah 7Zephaniah 1Haggai 2Zechariah 5Zechariah 6Matthew 3Matthew 4Matthew 19Matthew 21Mark 9Mark 10Mark 15Luke 1Luke 4Luke 6Luke 11Luke 13Luke 14Luke 23John 2John 3John 10John 16Acts 9Acts 15Acts 18Acts 22Acts 23Acts 27Romans 7Romans 10Romans 13Romans 151 Corinthians 31 Corinthians 101 Corinthians 152 Corinthians 8Galatians 4Galatians 5Colossians 3Colossians 41 Timothy 5Hebrews 9Hebrews 12Hebrews 13James 31 Peter 41 John 13 John 1Revelation 2Revelation 13
Entries that reference Bear
1
Voices on Bear
24
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.