Bears in the Bible

This animal is native to the mountain regions of Western Asia. Bears are frequently mentioned in Scripture.

David defended his flocks against the attacks of a bear (1 Samuel 17:34-37). Bears came out of the wood and destroyed the children who mocked the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 2:24).

Their habits are referred to in Isaiah 59:11; Proverbs 28:15; Lam. 3:10.

The fury of the female bear when robbed of her young is spoken of (2 Samuel 17:8; Proverbs 17:12; Hos. 13:8).

In Daniel’s vision of the four great monarchies, the Medo-Persian empire is represented by a bear (7:5).

More information

• Persia
• animals
• cattle
• constellation