Wild Beast

WILD BEAST [ISBE]

WILD BEAST - wild best: (1) ziz, only with sadhay, "field," in the expression, ziz sadhay, translated "wild beasts of the field" (Ps 50:11; 80:13); compare Targum to Ps 80:13, ziza', "worm" (BDB); Arabic ziz, "worm." (2) tsiyim (Isa 13:21; 34:14; Jer 50:39). (3) 'iyim (Isa 13:21; 34:14; Jer 50:39). (4) chay, "living thing," often translated "wild beast" in English Versions of the Bible (1 Sam 17:46, etc.). (5) In Apocrypha (Additions to Esther 16:24, etc.) and the New Testament (Mk 1:13), therion. (6) Acts 10:12 the King James Version; Acts 11:6, tetrapodon, the Revised Version (British and American) "four-rooted beast."

(1), (2) and (3) are of doubtful etymology, but the context makes it clear in each case that wild beasts of some sort are meant. The Targum ziza', "worm," is possible in Ps 80:13, though not probable in view of the parallel "boar": "The boar out of the wood doth ravage it, and the wild beasts of the field feed on it," i.e. on the vine (figurative) brought out of Egypt. In Ps 50:11, however, such an interpretation is out of the question. All the references from 50:8 to 50:13 are to large animals, bullocks, goats, cattle and birds. Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) and the Septuagint have in 80:13 "wild beast" and in 50:11 "beauty of the field" (translated)!

Tsiyim, doubtfully referred to tsiydh, "drought," occurs in prophecies of the desolation of Babylon in Isa 13:21 ("wild beasts of the desert") and Jer 50:39, of Edom in Isa 34:14, of Assyria in Isa 23:13 ("them that dwell in the wilderness"). It is associated in these passages with names of wild beasts and birds, some of them of very doubtful meaning, such as tannim, 'ochim, 'iyim, se`irim, benoth ya`anah. Wild beasts of some sort are clearly meant, though the kind can only be conjectured. The word occurs in Ps 74:14 ("the people inhabiting the wilderness") where it is possible to understand "beasts" instead of people. It occurs also in Ps 72:9 ("they that dwell in the wilderness"), where it seems necessary to understand "men." If the reading stands, it is not easy to reconcile this passage with the others.

'Iyim occurs in Isa 13:21 and 34:14 and in Jer 50:39, three of the passages cited for tsiyim. the King James Version referring to 'i, "island," renders "wild beasts of the islands" (Isa 13:22). the Revised Version (British and American) has "wolves," margin "howling creatures"; compare Arabic `anwa', "to howl," and ibn-'awa' or wawi, "jackal."

See JACKAL.

Alfred Ely