Topical Bible: Beasts: Unclean: Bear

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the bear is considered an unclean animal according to the dietary laws outlined in the Old Testament. The bear is mentioned several times throughout the Scriptures, often symbolizing strength, ferocity, and danger.

Biblical References:

1. Levitical Law: While the bear is not explicitly listed among the unclean animals in Leviticus 11 or Deuteronomy 14, it is understood to be unclean due to its characteristics as a carnivorous mammal. The dietary laws given to the Israelites prohibited the consumption of animals that did not both chew the cud and have a split hoof (Leviticus 11:3-8). As a predator, the bear does not meet these criteria.

2. Symbolism and Imagery: The bear is often used metaphorically in the Bible to depict danger and aggression. In 2 Kings 2:24, bears are instruments of divine judgment when two she-bears come out of the woods and maul forty-two boys who mocked the prophet Elisha. This event underscores the bear's role as a symbol of God's power and the seriousness of disrespecting His prophets.

3. Prophetic Literature: In the book of Daniel, the bear is part of a vision representing empires and kingdoms. Daniel 7:5 describes a bear raised up on one side, with three ribs in its mouth, symbolizing the Medo-Persian Empire. This imagery conveys the bear's strength and the empire's voracious conquests.

4. Proverbs and Wisdom Literature: The bear is used in Proverbs to illustrate the danger of encountering a fool. Proverbs 17:12 states, "Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly." This comparison highlights the perilous nature of foolishness, likening it to the wrath of a protective mother bear.

5. Historical Context: Bears were native to the regions surrounding ancient Israel, including the forests and mountainous areas. The presence of bears in these areas would have made them a familiar and formidable creature to the Israelites, contributing to their symbolic use in Scripture.

Cultural and Theological Significance:

In the biblical narrative, the bear's unclean status and its symbolic use serve to communicate themes of divine judgment, the consequences of folly, and the power of empires. The bear's ferocity and strength are consistently used to convey messages of caution and reverence for God's authority. The bear's role in Scripture reflects the broader biblical theme of distinguishing between clean and unclean, holy and profane, and the importance of obedience to God's commandments.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 17:8
For, said Hushai, you know your father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and your father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

In the Thirteenth Chapter of Revelation Two Beasts are There ...
... where we read, "And I saw three unclean spirits like ... what is separately predicted
of the two Beasts in Rev ... Spirit of God should "testify (lit., bear witness) of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the thirteenth chapter of.htm

Argument. --And Thus Unclean Animals are not to be Reproached ...
... in men which the law had condemned even in beasts. ... chew the cud and divide the hoof;
the unclean do neither ... nature, but for a perverted will, to bear the blame ...
/.../novatian/on the jewish meats/chapter iii argument and thus unclean.htm

The Gospel was Preached to Jews and Gentiles in Hades.
... And the Gentile is designated by the bear, which is an unclean and wild beast ... says,
"The sirens, and the daughters of the sparrows, and all the beasts of the ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vi the gospel was preached.htm

The Clean and the Unclean
... clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ... be a follower of
Jesus; he does bear the sneer ... timid hare, lest you be found among the unclean! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the clean and the unclean.htm

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit which we Receive Prepare us for ...
... by little accustomed to receive and bear God; which ... as beasts of burden and wild
beasts; custom likewise ... creatures; and the law has pronounced them unclean. ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter viii the gifts of the.htm

Argument. --He First of all Asserts that the Law is Spiritual; and ...
... the measure of their strength, they should not be able to bear it. ... was Catholic,
and foreshadowed Acts 10:15, although clean and unclean beasts were recognised ...
/.../novatian/on the jewish meats/chapter ii argument he first of.htm

Acts X
... to his eye, certain words are addressed to his ear, and a combination of facts are
brought to bear upon his ... My vision of clean and unclean beasts is explained. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts x.htm

The Gadarene Demoniac. --Christ's Treatment of Him after the Cure. ...
... and partly held him back; attracted as he was, he could not bear the presence ... at
a distance, the unclean spirits are associated with the unclean beasts in his ...
/.../section 132 the gadarene demoniac.htm

Being About to Prove that the Will, the Calling...
... he is a chosen vessel unto Me to bear My name ... kinds of four-footed beasts and wild
beasts and fowls of ... me, Lord, I have never eaten anything common or unclean. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter x being about to.htm

Now, Since we are Upon the Subject of Peter...
... with regard to the four-footed beasts, and creeping ... never yet eaten anything common
or unclean." He instructed him ... things which he was unable to bear when Jesus ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter ii now since we.htm