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). 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.

BEAST. Gen 2:19. This word is generally used to distinguish all animals from man, as in Ps 36:6. Sometimes quadrupeds only are denoted by it, as Lev 11:2; and in Gen 1:24-25, it is supposed to refer to creatures that roam at large. Beasts were created on the sixth day, and were named by Adam. Paul describes some of his opposers as wild beasts, so furious and brutal was their treatment of him. 1 Cor 15:32. A similar application will be found in Ps 22:12-16; Eccl 3:18; Isa 11:6-8, and in 2 Pet 2:12 and Jude 10, to denote a class of wicked men. "Wild beasts of the islands" Jer 50:39, etc., seem to be jackals (literally, "the howlers," as in Arabic these animals are called "the sons of howling"). "Wild beasts of the desert" probably denote such creatures as the hyena. Under the ancient dispensation the beasts were sometimes made to participate externally in the observance of religious ceremonies, Jon 3:7-8, and suffered, with men, the judgment of God. Ex 9:6 and Ex 13:15; Ps 135:8; Jer 7:20 and Jer 21:6; Eze 32:13; Eze 38:20; Hos 4:3. See Clean and Unclean.

BEAST. Gen 2:19. This word is generally used to distinguish all animals from man, as in Ps 36:6. Sometimes quadrupeds only are denoted by it, as Lev 11:2; and in Gen 1:24-25, it is supposed to refer to creatures that roam at large. Beasts were created on the sixth day, and were named by Adam. Paul describes some of his opposers as wild beasts, so furious and brutal was their treatment of him. 1 Cor 15:32. A similar application will be found in Ps 22:12-16; Eccl 3:18; Isa 11:6-8, and in 2 Pet 2:12 and Jude 10, to denote a class of wicked men. "Wild beasts of the islands" Jer 50:39, etc., seem to be jackals (literally, "the howlers," as in Arabic these animals are called "the sons of howling"). "Wild beasts of the desert" probably denote such creatures as the hyena. Under the ancient dispensation the beasts were sometimes made to participate externally in the observance of religious ceremonies, Jon 3:7-8, and suffered, with men, the judgment of God. Ex 9:6 and Ex 13:15; Ps 135:8;

Jer 7:20 and Jer 21:6; Eze 32:13; Eze 38:20; Hos 4:3. See Clean and Unclean.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. Any living creature; an animal; -- including man, insects, etc. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. Any four-footed animal, that may be used for labor, food, or sport; as, a beast of burden. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast. Prov. xii. 10.

3. As opposed to man: Any irrational animal.

4. Fig.: A coarse, brutal, filthy, or degraded fellow.

5. A game at cards similar to loo. [Obs.] Wright.

6. A penalty at beast, omber, etc. Hence: To be beasted, to be beaten at beast, omber, etc. Beast royal, the lion. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Synonyms: Beast, Brute. When we use these words in a figurative sense, as applicable to human beings, we think of beasts as mere animals governed by animal appetite; and of brutes as being destitute of reason or moral feeling, and governed by unrestrained passion. Hence we speak of beastly appetites; beastly indulgences, etc.; and of brutal manners; brutal inhumanity; brutal ferocity. So, also, we say of a drunkard, that he first made himself a beast, and then treated his family like a brute.