Beast
This word is used of flocks or herds of grazing animals (Ex 22:5; Num 20:4, Num 20:8, Num 20:11; Ps 78:48); of beasts of burden (Gen 45:17); of eatable beasts (Prov 9:2); and of swift beasts or dromedaries (Isa 60:6). In the New Testament it is used of a domestic animal as property (Rev 18:13); as used for food (1 Cor 15:39), for service (Luke 10:34; Acts 23:24), and for sacrifice (Acts 7:42).
When used in contradistinction to man (Ps 36:6), it denotes a brute creature generally, and when in contradistinction to creeping things (Lev 11:2–7; Lev 27:26), a four-footed animal.
The Mosaic law required that beasts of labour should have rest on the Sabbath (Ex 20:10; Ex 23:12), and in the Sabbatical year all cattle were allowed to roam about freely, and eat whatever grew in the fields (Ex 23:11; Lev 25:7). No animal could be castrated (Lev 22:24). Animals of different kinds were to be always kept separate (Lev 19:19; Deut 22:10). Oxen when used in threshing were not to be prevented from eating what was within their reach (Deut 25:4; 1 Cor 9:9).
This word is used figuratively of an infuriated multitude (1 Cor 15:32; Acts 19:29; comp. Ps 22:12, Ps 22:16; Eccl 3:18; Isa 11:6–8), and of wicked men (2 Pet. 2 Pet 2:12). The four beasts of Dan 7:3, Dan 7:17, Dan 7:23 represent four kingdoms or kings.
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), by Matthew George Easton.
