Lexical Summary cheva or chevah: Beast, animal Original Word: חֵיוָא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance beast (Aramaic) from chaya'; an animal -- beast. see HEBREW chaya' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to chayyah Definition beast NASB Translation beast (6), beast's (1), beasts (13). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scope of the Term חֵיוָא denotes a living creature, most often a land animal, whether literal or symbolic. In the Aramaic chapters of Daniel (Daniel 2–7) it consistently renders “beast,” serving both as a concrete description of the fauna of Nebuchadnezzar’s realm and as a prophetic cipher for human empires that oppose the purpose of God. Occurrences in Daniel’s Narrative 1. Nebuchadnezzar’s dominion (Daniel 2:38) – “in whose hands He has placed mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds of the air.” Here the term highlights Adam-like authority temporarily granted to Babylon’s king. Symbolic Beasts in Daniel 7 In Daniel 7 the term leaps from zoology to apocalyptic typology: חֵיוָא thus becomes a literary bridge between creation language and eschatological vision. Every empire, however formidable, remains a mere creature before God. Historical Perspective The Babylonian and Persian courts were steeped in omen literature that routinely used animal imagery. Daniel’s record co-opts that symbolism, turning it from pagan divination to inspired revelation. By presenting beasts as subservient to divine decree, the book dismantles ancient Near Eastern ideas that cosmic forces are capricious. Yahweh alone governs the destinies of kings and creatures alike. Theological Threads 1. Sovereignty: Whether literal herds (Daniel 4) or composite monsters (Daniel 7), חֵיוָא emphasizes that every beastly being is subject to the “Ancient of Days” (Daniel 7:9). Practical Ministry Applications • Humility before God: Nebuchadnezzar’s experience warns leaders and laypeople alike against pride. Christological Echoes and New Testament Resonance Jesus appropriates Daniel’s imagery at His trial (Matthew 26:64) and in teaching on the end times (Matthew 24:30), identifying Himself as the victorious Son of Man who overcomes the beasts. Revelation develops the motif further, contrasting the harlot-riding beast with the Lamb—another creature term transfigured to reveal God’s redemptive plan. Thus, the humble believer, redeemed by the Lamb, awaits the blessed day when every beastly kingdom bows and “the kingdom and dominion and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High” (Daniel 7:27). Forms and Transliterations חֵֽיוְתָא֙ חֵֽיוָתָ֔א חֵֽיוָתָא֙ חֵיוְתָ֣א חֵיוְתָ֥א חֵיוַ֣ת חֵיוַ֤ת חֵיוַ֧ת חֵיוַ֨ת חֵיוָ֖ה חֵיוָ֣ה חֵיוָה֩ חֵיוָן֙ חֵיוָתָ֣א חיוה חיון חיות חיותא לְחֵ֣יוְתָ֔א לחיותא cheiVah cheiVan cheiVat cheivaTa cheiveTa cheivTa ḥê·wā·ṯā ḥê·wāh ḥê·wān ḥê·waṯ ḥê·wə·ṯā ḥêwāh ḥêwān ḥêwaṯ ḥêwāṯā ḥêwəṯā lə·ḥê·wə·ṯā leCheiveTa ləḥêwəṯāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 2:38 HEB: בְּֽנֵי־ אֲ֠נָשָׁא חֵיוַ֨ת בָּרָ֤א וְעוֹף־ NAS: dwell, [or] the beasts of the field, KJV: dwell, the beasts of the field INT: the sons of men the beasts of the field the birds Daniel 4:12 Daniel 4:14 Daniel 4:15 Daniel 4:16 Daniel 4:21 Daniel 4:23 Daniel 4:25 Daniel 4:32 Daniel 5:21 Daniel 7:3 Daniel 7:5 Daniel 7:6 Daniel 7:7 Daniel 7:7 Daniel 7:11 Daniel 7:12 Daniel 7:17 Daniel 7:19 Daniel 7:23 20 Occurrences |
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