The term "ferocious" is often associated with wild, untamed, and aggressive behavior. In the context of the Bible, it is used to describe both animals and human actions that are violent and destructive. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that reflect on the nature of ferocity, often contrasting it with the virtues of peace, gentleness, and self-control.

Biblical References:

1. Ferocious Animals:
The Bible frequently uses ferocious animals as symbols of danger and destruction. In the Book of Daniel, the prophet describes a vision of four great beasts, each representing a kingdom, with ferocious characteristics. Daniel 7:7 states, "After this, as I watched in my vision in the night, I saw a fourth beast—terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had large iron teeth; it devoured and crushed, and it trampled underfoot whatever was left."

Similarly, in Revelation, the imagery of ferocious beasts is used to depict the end times and the forces of evil. Revelation 13:2 describes, "The beast I saw was like a leopard, with the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority."

2. Ferocious Behavior in Humans:
The Bible also addresses the ferocity of human behavior, often condemning it as contrary to God's will. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul warns against such behavior in his letters. In 2 Timothy 3:1-3 , Paul writes, "But understand this: In the last days, terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good."

The term "brutal" in this passage can be understood as synonymous with ferocious, highlighting the destructive nature of such behavior.

3. Contrasting Ferocity with Godly Virtues:
The Bible often contrasts ferocity with the virtues that believers are called to embody. In Galatians 5:22-23 , Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities stand in stark contrast to the ferocity of the flesh.

Jesus Himself is portrayed as the ultimate example of gentleness and peace, even in the face of aggression. In Matthew 11:29 , Jesus invites, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Theological Implications:

The concept of ferocity in the Bible serves as a reminder of the fallen nature of the world and the human propensity towards sin and violence. It underscores the need for redemption and transformation through Christ. Believers are called to reject ferocious behavior and instead cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, reflecting the character of Christ in their lives.

The imagery of ferocious beasts and behavior also serves as a warning of the spiritual battles that believers face. It emphasizes the importance of vigilance, prayer, and reliance on God's strength to overcome the forces of evil.(a.) Fierce; savage; wild; indicating cruelty; as, ferocious look or features; a ferocious lion.

Christ Crucified.
... creatures surrounded his palace and met every expostulation against the injustice
of murdering Jesus with hoarse remonstrances, loud cries and ferocious threats ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/christ crucified.htm

State of Affairs in 311
... Lact.9; Vict. Epit. p.49), and sanguinary and ferocious to an extraordinary
degree (Lact. c.9.21, 22, &c.). Licinius, characterized ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/section 3 state of affairs.htm

Of the Wisdom of Moses, which was an Object of Imitation to the ...
... thus condemned, was consigned to the lions' den (not indeed to suffer death, but
to win unfading glory); and though surrounded by these ferocious beasts of prey ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xvii of the wisdom of.htm

The Invasion of Scythia.
... which called forth their energies was the suppression of a rebellion within their
dominions, and the second, an expedition against some ferocious and half ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter viii the invasion of.htm

The General Service of the Holy Fathers, in Remembrance of ...
... all the universe were gathered together in the bright city of Nicea, for they have
in pious wisdom overthrown the godless teaching of the ferocious Arius and ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter v1 the general service.htm

The Seven Trumpets.
... "The barbarian auxiliaries erected their independent standard; and boldly avowed
hostile designs, which they had long cherished in their ferocious minds. ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm

Love and Remorse
... to him through Samuel, to 'smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have,
and spare them not,' We shudder at such ferocious extermination, but we are to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/love and remorse.htm

Introductory Notice to Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria.
... the period. Diocletian is preparing to let loose upon the sheep of Christ
the ferocious wolves of the tenth persecution. Lucian ...
/.../introductory notice to alexander bishop.htm

Talmage -- a Bloody Monster
... dipt their brother's coat in goat's blood, and then brought the dabbled garment
to their father, cheating him with the idea that a ferocious animal had slain ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/talmage a bloody monster.htm

The Mother of Xerxes.
... his neighbors' territories, and after gratifying his love of adventure with various
romantic exploits, and gaining great renown by his ferocious impetuosity in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter i the mother of.htm

Ferocious (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Fierce; savage; wild; indicating cruelty; as, ferocious
look or features; a ferocious lion. ...Ferocious (4 Occurrences). ...
/f/ferocious.htm - 7k

Ferret (1 Occurrence)

/f/ferret.htm - 11k

Fermented (23 Occurrences)

/f/fermented.htm - 13k

Kid (42 Occurrences)
... outraging the order of nature." A kid cooked in its mother's milk is "a gross,
unwholesome dish, and calculated to kindle animal and ferocious passions, and on ...
/k/kid.htm - 20k

Wild (147 Occurrences)
... land. 4. (superl.) Savage; uncivilized; not refined by culture; ferocious;
rude; as, wild natives of Africa or America. 5. (superl ...
/w/wild.htm - 50k

Fierce (92 Occurrences)
... wind. 2. (superl.) Vehement in anger or cruelty; ready or eager to kill or
injure; of a nature to inspire terror; ferocious. 3. (superl ...
/f/fierce.htm - 34k

Dragon (20 Occurrences)
... animal, generally represented as a monstrous winged serpent or lizard, with a crested
head and enormous claws, and regarded as very powerful and ferocious. ...
/d/dragon.htm - 56k

Barbarous (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Foreign; adapted to a barbaric taste. 3. (a.) Cruel; ferocious; inhuman;
merciless. 4. (a.) Contrary to the pure idioms of a language. Int. ...
/b/barbarous.htm - 9k

Brute (4 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of, a brute beast. Hence: Brutal;
cruel; fierce; ferocious; savage; pitiless; as, brute violence. ...
/b/brute.htm - 9k

Chafe (1 Occurrence)
... chaf (mar, "bitter"; hence, bitter of soul, deadly, destructive, ferocious, "as
a bear robbed of her whelps"): Occurs only in 2 Samuel 17:8; used by Hushai to ...
/c/chafe.htm - 7k

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