The term "ravenous" in the Bible is often used to describe intense hunger or a voracious appetite, both in a literal and metaphorical sense. It is frequently associated with predatory animals and is used to illustrate the destructive and insatiable nature of certain individuals or groups.

Biblical References:

1. Literal Usage:
· In the natural world, "ravenous" is used to describe animals that are fierce and hungry. For example, Isaiah 35:9 states, "No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk there." This passage contrasts the safety and peace of the redeemed with the danger posed by ravenous beasts.

2. Metaphorical Usage:
· The term is often employed metaphorically to describe false prophets or leaders who exploit and harm others. In Matthew 7:15 , Jesus warns, "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." Here, "ravenous wolves" symbolizes those who appear harmless but are actually dangerous and deceitful, preying on the unsuspecting.

3. Symbol of Judgment and Destruction:
· Ravenous creatures are sometimes used as symbols of divine judgment. In Ezekiel 22:27 , the leaders of Israel are compared to ravenous wolves: "Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain." This imagery underscores the severity of their corruption and the resulting judgment.

4. Contrast with God’s Provision:
· The Bible contrasts the ravenous nature of predators with God’s provision and care. In Psalm 147:9 , it is written, "He provides food for the animals and for the young ravens when they call." This verse highlights God’s sovereignty and care over creation, even providing for creatures known for their insatiable hunger.

Theological Implications:

The use of "ravenous" in Scripture serves as a powerful illustration of the destructive nature of sin and the deceitfulness of false teachings. It warns believers to be vigilant and discerning, recognizing that not all who appear righteous are truly so. The imagery of ravenous wolves among the flock calls for spiritual discernment and a reliance on God’s wisdom to identify and resist such threats.

Furthermore, the contrast between ravenous beasts and God’s provision emphasizes His role as the ultimate provider and protector. While the world may be filled with dangers and those who seek to devour, God’s care and provision remain steadfast for those who trust in Him.1. (a.) Extremely hungry; furiously voracious; hungry even to rage; as, a ravenous wolf or vulture.

2. (a.) Eager for prey or gratification; as, a ravenous appetite or desire.

727. harpax -- rapacious
... rapacious. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: harpax Phonetic Spelling:
(har'-pax) Short Definition: rapacious, ravenous, a robber, an extortioner ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/727.htm - 6k6530. parits -- violent one
... destroyer, ravenous, robber. From parats; violent, ie A tyrant -- destroyer, ravenous,
robber. see HEBREW parats. 6529, 6530. parits. 6531 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/6530.htm - 6k

5861. ayit -- a bird of prey
... bird, fowl, ravenous bird. From iyt; a hawk or other bird of prey -- bird, fowl,
ravenous (bird). see HEBREW iyt. 5860b, 5861. ayit. 5862 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/5861.htm - 6k

2963. taraph -- to tear, rend, pluck
... root Definition to tear, rend, pluck NASB Word Usage feed (1), ravening (1), ravenous
(1), surely been torn to pieces (2), tear (7), tearing (2), tears (2 ...
/hebrew/2963.htm - 6k

But Possibly one who Has Given his Attention to the Course of the ...
... ransom in our behalf might be easily accepted by him who required it, the Deity
was hidden under the veil of our nature, that so, as with ravenous fish [2001 ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xxiv but possibly one.htm

The King's Highway
... No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not
be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there.'"Isaiah 35:8, 9. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the kings highway.htm

The Gospel Day Seen in Prophecy.
... no lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not
be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: and the ransomed of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /the gospel day seen in.htm

Names
... like beasts, and therefore name their children after dumb animals,"the girls after
the gentler and fairer animals, and the boys after ravenous and cruel ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon iv names.htm

The Highway of Holiness
... Though there are many dangers if we get off the road, while we keep to the Highway
there is safety, for "no lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 4 the highway of.htm

What the Big Chest Contained
... Even cigar stubs; in fact, everything in the form of tobacco, that had been thrown
away, they eagerly gathered and used to satisfy their ravenous appetites. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/byrum/how john became a man/chapter iii what the big.htm

Through Fire.
... the service rendered. It proved to mean a lions' den, and the power of
God overcoming the instincts of ravenous beasts. But clear ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/through fire.htm

Homer's Obligations to the Sacred Writers.
... O'erspread nine acres of infernal ground; Two ravenous vultures, furious for
their food,. Scream o'er the fiend, and riot in his blood,. ...
/.../chapter xxviii homers obligations to the.htm

Nahum
... war. The city is doomed, the defenders flee, everywhere is desolation and
ruin, the ravenous Assyrian lion is slain by the sword. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/nahum.htm

The Talmud.
... of hatred and contempt invented by the Jews, and means either scourge; or, like
the Greek panther, and the Latin lupa, it is synonymous with ravenous lust, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/the talmud.htm

Ravenous (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Extremely hungry; furiously voracious; hungry
even to rage; as, a ravenous wolf or vulture. ...Ravenous (11 Occurrences). ...
/r/ravenous.htm - 9k

Ravin (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Ravenous. 2. (n.) Alt. of Ravine. 3. (vt & i.)
Alt. of Ravine. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. RAVEN; RAVIN. ...
/r/ravin.htm - 8k

Summer (28 Occurrences)
... 40:10, 12); theros (Matthew 24:32 Luke 21:30)): The Hebrew verb, mentioned above,
occurs in Isaiah 18:6, "to summer," used of the ravenous birds feeding upon ...
/s/summer.htm - 17k

Raven (7 Occurrences)
... So "ravenous bird" (Isaiah 46:11 Ezekiel 39:4) is a bird of prey (not a "hungry
bird"), `ayiT, literally, "a screecher." "Ravenous beast" in Isaiah 35:9 is for ...
/r/raven.htm - 14k

Wintereth (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 18:6 They are left together to the ravenous fowl of the mountains, And to
the beast of the earth, And summered on them hath the ravenous fowl, And every ...
/w/wintereth.htm - 6k

Winter (22 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Isaiah 18:6 They will be left together for the ravenous birds of the
mountains, and for the animals of the earth. The ravenous...
/w/winter.htm - 14k

Predatory (1 Occurrence)
... a predatory party. 3. (a.) Hungry; ravenous; as, predatory spirits.
Multi-Version Concordance Predatory (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 39 ...
/p/predatory.htm - 7k

Summered (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 18:6 They are left together to the ravenous fowl of the mountains, And to
the beast of the earth, And summered on them hath the ravenous fowl, And every ...
/s/summered.htm - 6k

Wolf (4 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Fig.: Any very ravenous, rapacious, or destructive person or thing; especially,
want; starvation; as, they toiled hard to keep the wolf from the door. ...
/w/wolf.htm - 13k

Fowl (73 Occurrences)
... it is used collectively for birds and fowl in general (Genesis 1:20, etc.; ; Genesis
2:19, 20, etc.); `ayit (from `ut, "to rush") means a ravenous beasts; or ...
/f/fowl.htm - 36k

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