### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek lemma ἄρκτος (árktos, `{{G715}}`) refers specifically to the animal "bear." Its base definition highlights a connection to ferocity and obstruction. While the etymological link to ἀρκέω (arkeō, `{{G714}}`), meaning "to be sufficient" or "to ward off," is suggested, the primary meaning remains the powerful, often dangerous, mammal. The semantic range of ἄρκτος is quite narrow, consistently denoting this specific creature. The nuance of its etymological suggestion, however, subtly emphasizes the bear's formidable nature and its capacity for aggressive defense or attack, which aligns with its biblical usage.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word ἄρκτος (árktos) appears only once in the New Testament, within the apocalyptic visions of Revelation.
* **[[Revelation 13:2]]**: "And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority."
* **Context:** This verse describes the first beast rising from the sea, a central figure in John's vision of the end times. The beast is a composite entity, drawing characteristics from various powerful and predatory animals. The mention of its "feet were as the feet of a bear" contributes to the overall imagery of a monstrous and terrifying power.
* **Analysis:** The specific reference to the bear's "feet" emphasizes attributes such as crushing power, stability, and perhaps a lumbering, inexorable advance. Bears are renowned for their powerful paws and claws, capable of inflicting immense damage and trampling opposition. In the context of the beast, this characteristic underscores its destructive capability and its ability to overcome and subdue. This imagery resonates deeply with Old Testament prophetic visions, particularly those in Daniel, where bears symbolize powerful, often brutal, earthly kingdoms or empires (e.g., [[Daniel 7:5]]). The combination of the bear's feet with the leopard's body and the lion's mouth paints a picture of a formidable entity possessing a terrifying blend of swiftness, ferocity, and overwhelming might.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept and imagery of the bear are more prevalent in the Old Testament, providing crucial context for its single New Testament appearance.
* **Hebrew Equivalent:** The primary Hebrew word for "bear" is דֹּב (dov, `{{H1677}}`).
* **Old Testament Narratives:**
* **[[1 Samuel 17:34-37]]**: David recounts protecting his flock from both a lion and a bear, showcasing the bear as a dangerous predator requiring divine aid to overcome.
* **[[2 Kings 2:24]]**: Two she-bears emerge from the woods to maul forty-two youths who mocked Elisha, illustrating the bear's ferocity as an instrument of divine judgment.
* **Old Testament Wisdom Literature:**
* **[[Proverbs 17:12]]**: "Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly." This proverb uses the extreme, dangerous rage of a mother bear defending her young as a metaphor for intense, perilous fury.
* **Old Testament Prophetic Literature:**
* **[[Isaiah 11:7]]**: In the messianic age, the cow and the bear will graze together, symbolizing a time of profound peace where natural animosities are overcome. This provides a stark contrast to the bear's usual depiction.
* **[[Lamentations 3:10]]**: God is depicted as a "bear lying in wait" for the speaker, an image conveying divine judgment or affliction through the metaphor of a lurking, dangerous predator.
* **[[Daniel 7:5]]**: Crucially, the second beast in Daniel's vision is "like to a bear," raised up on one side, with three ribs in its mouth. This beast symbolizes a powerful, devouring kingdom (often interpreted as the Medo-Persian empire), known for its brutal strength and territorial expansion. The imagery in Revelation directly echoes and builds upon this foundational prophetic symbolism.
* **Symbolism of Wild Animals in Prophecy:** Across the biblical canon, wild animals frequently symbolize nations, empires, or destructive forces. The bear consistently represents immense strength, ferocity, and a capacity for brutal destruction. Its inclusion in the composite beast of Revelation firmly places it within this long-standing biblical tradition, depicting powerful, often oppressive, earthly powers that oppose God.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ἄρκτος (árktos) in the New Testament is primarily derived from its singular, powerful appearance in [[Revelation 13:2]] and its deep roots in Old Testament symbolism.
* **Symbol of Destructive Worldly Power:** The bear, with its formidable strength and ferocity, serves as a potent symbol of destructive, oppressive power. In Revelation, its "feet" contribute to the terrifying composite image of the beast, representing the crushing, trampling authority of an antichristian world power. This power is not merely physical but encompasses political, economic, and spiritual domination, seeking to oppress and coerce.
* **Echoes of Divine Judgment (Old Testament Context):** While the beast itself is satanically empowered, the Old Testament instances of bears acting as instruments of divine judgment (e.g., [[2 Kings 2:24]]) resonate with the broader theme of God's ultimate sovereignty. Even the destructive actions of oppressive powers can, in the divine plan, serve to bring about judgment or to test the faithful. The bear's strength suggests a power that brings judgment upon the earth, even if it is a power ultimately under God's control.
* **Contrast with Messianic Peace:** The violent and destructive imagery of the bear in Revelation stands in stark contrast to the peaceful depiction of the bear in the messianic kingdom prophecies of [[Isaiah 11:7]]. This juxtaposition highlights the nature of the beast's reign as one of violence, chaos, and antagonism to God's created order, directly opposing the shalom of God's coming kingdom.
* **Composite Evil and Satanic Empowerment:** The "feet of a bear" in Revelation contribute to the portrayal of the beast as an amalgamation of all that is powerful, predatory, and oppressive in human history. It embodies the cumulative evil of past empires (as seen in Daniel's visions) and represents the ultimate manifestation of rebellion against God, directly empowered by the dragon (Satan). The bear's strength signifies the formidable nature of this final, satanically-inspired opposition to God and His people, emphasizing the challenge faced by believers in the last days.
### Summary
The Greek term ἄρκτος (árktos, `{{G715}}`) denotes a "bear," an animal intrinsically linked to strength and ferocity. Its sole New Testament appearance in [[Revelation 13:2]] describes the beast from the sea as having "feet of a bear," contributing to its terrifying, composite imagery. This specific attribute emphasizes the beast's crushing power and its capacity for brutal domination. Drawing heavily on Old Testament parallels (e.g., [[Daniel 7:5]], [[2 Kings 2:24]]), the bear consistently symbolizes destructive, often oppressive, forces or kingdoms. Theologically, ἄρκτος in Revelation signifies the immense, trampling authority of the antichristian world system, a powerful, satanically-empowered entity that embodies the cumulative evil of history and stands in stark opposition to God's righteous rule, ultimately serving to highlight the formidable nature of the spiritual conflict.
TRV