or (fully) דּוֹב; from דָּבַב; the bear (as slow); bear.
Transliteration:dôb
Pronunciation:dobe
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term דֹּב (dôb, `{{H1677}}`) primarily denotes the animal "bear." Its etymological root is linked to דָּבַב (dâbab, `{{H1676}}`), meaning "to move gently, glide, or flow." This etymological connection subtly suggests the characteristic slow, lumbering, and shuffling gait of the bear, rather than its ferocity. In the biblical context, it almost certainly refers to the Syrian brown bear (*Ursus arctus syriacus*), which was indigenous to the mountainous and forested regions of ancient Israel and the Near East. While its core meaning is concrete, its usage extends to symbolic and metaphorical applications, particularly concerning danger, strength, and divine judgment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word דֹּב appears in several significant biblical passages, each revealing a facet of the bear's perception in ancient Israel:
* **Predatory Threat and Strength:** In [[1 Samuel 17:34-37]], David recounts his youthful encounters with a lion and a bear, emphasizing their predatory nature and his reliance on divine aid to overcome them. This highlights the bear as a formidable and dangerous adversary.
* **Divine Judgment:** Perhaps one of the most striking occurrences is in [[2 Kings 2:24]], where two she-bears emerge from the woods to maul 42 youths who mocked the prophet Elisha. Here, the bears act as instruments of divine wrath, underscoring God's sovereignty over creation, even its wild and destructive elements.
* **Proverbial Warning:** [[Proverbs 17:12]] states, "Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly." This proverb powerfully employs the image of a mother bear in defense of her offspring, universally recognized for its extreme ferocity and unpredictable rage. It serves as a stark warning against the peril of encountering obstinate folly.
* **Metaphor for Oppression/Danger:** In [[Lamentations 3:10]], the prophet laments, "He is to me a bear lying in wait, a lion in secret places." Here, the bear symbolizes an unseen, ambush predator, representing the overwhelming and inescapable nature of God's judgment or the enemy's oppression. Similarly, [[Amos 5:19]] uses the image of fleeing a lion only to meet a bear, depicting inescapable calamity.
* **Apocalyptic Symbolism:** In the prophetic vision of [[Daniel 7:5]], the second beast is "like a bear," representing the Medo-Persian empire. The bear's characteristics—its great strength, perhaps its lumbering but inexorable advance, and its ferocity—are employed to symbolize the nature of this powerful earthly kingdom. The "three ribs in its mouth" further emphasize its destructive and predatory nature.
* **Eschatological Peace:** Contrastingly, [[Isaiah 11:7]] presents a vision of future peace in the messianic kingdom where "the cow and the bear will graze together." This radical transformation of the natural order, where traditional animosities are abolished, symbolizes the profound and universal peace that will characterize God's ultimate reign.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of דֹּב is enriched by considering its connections to other biblical concepts and terms:
* **Root Verb:** The direct connection to דָּבַב (dâbab, `{{H1676}}`), implying "slow movement," provides insight into the ancient perception of the animal's physical characteristics, contrasting with its often-portrayed ferocity.
* **Other Predatory Animals:** דֹּב often appears alongside other formidable predators like the lion (אֲרִי, `{{H738}}`; לָבִיא, `{{H3918}}`), wolf (זְאֵב, `{{H2061}}`), and leopard (נָמֵר, `{{H5246}}`). This association reinforces its image as a creature of danger and the wild.
* **Strength and Ferocity:** The word inherently conveys notions of raw power, danger, and unbridled aggression, particularly when provoked or acting as a predator.
* **Wilderness and Untamed Nature:** Bears inhabit remote, wild regions, symbolizing the untamed aspects of creation and the potential dangers lurking outside human settlements.
* **Divine Agency:** In contexts such as [[2 Kings 2:24]], the bear becomes an instrument of divine will, highlighting God's power to use any part of creation to fulfill His purposes.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of דֹּב (dôb, `{{H1677}}`) is multifaceted, reflecting various aspects of God's character and His interaction with humanity:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment:** The most prominent theological theme associated with the bear is its role as an agent of divine judgment. In [[2 Kings 2:24]], the bears are clearly sent by God in response to the mockery of His prophet. This demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty, even over the most fearsome and untamed creatures, using them to execute His righteous judgment against sin.
* **Human Vulnerability and Divine Protection:** David's encounter with the bear in [[1 Samuel 17:34-37]] illustrates human vulnerability in the face of natural dangers. Yet, it also serves as a testament to God's protective hand over those who trust in Him, empowering them to overcome seemingly insurmountable threats.
* **Wisdom and Consequences:** The proverb in [[Proverbs 17:12]] uses the bear's extreme rage when robbed of its cubs to illustrate the profound danger of encountering a fool in his folly. This highlights the biblical emphasis on wisdom and the severe consequences of foolishness, drawing on a universally understood image of destructive wrath.
* **Eschatological Transformation:** The vision in [[Isaiah 11:7]] of the bear grazing peacefully with the cow points to a radical eschatological transformation. It symbolizes the ultimate peace and harmony that will characterize God's kingdom, where the curse upon creation is reversed, and even the most predatory instincts are subdued, reflecting the complete restoration of God's perfect order.
* **Prophetic Symbolism:** In [[Daniel 7:5]], the bear symbolizes a powerful earthly empire. This use of animal imagery in apocalyptic literature underscores the temporal nature of human kingdoms and their often-destructive characteristics, which are ultimately subject to God's overarching plan and eternal kingdom.
### Summary
The Hebrew word דֹּב (dôb, `{{H1677}}`) consistently refers to the bear, an animal whose slow, lumbering gait belies its immense strength and ferocity. Biblically, the bear serves as a powerful symbol: a dangerous predator requiring divine intervention to overcome ([[1 Samuel 17:34-37]]), an instrument of God's righteous judgment ([[2 Kings 2:24]]), a vivid metaphor for extreme rage and inescapable peril ([[Proverbs 17:12]], [[Lamentations 3:10]], [[Amos 5:19]]), and a representation of an earthly empire in prophetic vision ([[Daniel 7:5]]). Crucially, its inclusion in the messianic vision of [[Isaiah 11:7]] transforms its image, symbolizing the profound peace and harmony of God's future kingdom. Thus, דֹּב contributes to themes of divine sovereignty, human vulnerability, the consequences of sin, and the ultimate hope of eschatological restoration.
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