Encyclopedia entry
Beast
This word is used of flocks or herds of grazing animals (Ex. 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).
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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 (Ex. 20:10; 23:12), and in the Sabbatical year all cattle were allowed to roam about freely, and eat whatever grew in the fields (Ex. 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 Daniel 7:3, 17, 23 represent four kingdoms or kings.
In the Bible
172
Verses where Beast is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 2 Chronicles 25:18
But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: “A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle.
- 2 Kings 14:9
But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: “A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle.
- Acts 28:4
When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”
- Acts 28:5
But Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.
- Daniel 4:16
Let his mind be changed from that of a man, and let him be given the mind of a beast till seven times pass him by.
- Daniel 5:21
He was driven away from mankind, and his mind was like that of a beast. He lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until he acknowledged that the Most High God rules over the kingdom of mankind, setting over it whom He wishes.
+166 more verses naming Beast.
Scripture on Beast
112
See all 112 +−
- Exodus 22Leviticus 7Leviticus 11Ezekiel 14Genesis 1Genesis 7Genesis 9Exodus 13Leviticus 20Ecclesiastes 3Revelation 6Revelation 16Genesis 2Genesis 3Genesis 8Genesis 37Exodus 8Exodus 23Leviticus 24Leviticus 25Numbers 31Nehemiah 2Psalms 36Jeremiah 33Ezekiel 29Ezekiel 34Ezekiel 39Jonah 3Luke 10Acts 281 Corinthians 15Revelation 14Revelation 18Revelation 19Revelation 20Genesis 6Genesis 34Genesis 45Exodus 11Exodus 12Exodus 19Exodus 20Exodus 21Leviticus 5Leviticus 17Leviticus 18Leviticus 19Leviticus 22Numbers 3Numbers 8Numbers 18Numbers 20Deuteronomy 4Deuteronomy 14Deuteronomy 22Deuteronomy 25Deuteronomy 27Judges 202 Kings 142 Chronicles 25Job 39Psalms 22Psalms 50Psalms 68Psalms 73Psalms 78Psalms 80Psalms 104Psalms 135Psalms 147Proverbs 9Proverbs 12Isaiah 11Isaiah 35Isaiah 43Isaiah 46Isaiah 60Isaiah 63Jeremiah 7Jeremiah 9Jeremiah 21Jeremiah 27Jeremiah 31Jeremiah 32Jeremiah 36Jeremiah 50Jeremiah 51Ezekiel 8Ezekiel 25Ezekiel 36Ezekiel 44Daniel 4Daniel 5Hosea 13Micah 1Zephaniah 1Haggai 1Zechariah 8Acts 7Acts 19Acts 231 Corinthians 9Hebrews 122 Peter 2Revelation 4Revelation 11Revelation 15
Entries that reference Beast
1
Voices on Beast
24
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.