Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terminology, the term "brute" is often used to describe individuals or creatures that exhibit characteristics of irrationality, lack of reason, or animalistic behavior. The word is typically associated with a lack of spiritual discernment and moral understanding, contrasting with the wisdom and rationality expected of those who follow God's teachings.
Old Testament ContextThe concept of brutishness is present in the Old Testament, where it is often used to describe those who are devoid of wisdom and understanding. In
Psalm 92:6 , it is written, "A senseless man does not know, and a fool does not understand." Here, the term "senseless" is akin to being brutish, highlighting a deficiency in spiritual insight and moral comprehension.
Similarly, in
Jeremiah 10:8 , the prophet declares, "But they are altogether senseless and foolish, instructed by worthless idols made of wood!" This passage criticizes the idolatrous practices of the nations, equating their lack of true knowledge and understanding of God with brutishness.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the term "brute" is used to describe individuals who act on base instincts rather than spiritual wisdom. In
2 Peter 2:12 , the apostle Peter warns against false teachers, stating, "But these men are like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed. They blaspheme in matters they do not understand, and like such creatures, they too will perish." Here, the comparison to "irrational animals" underscores the absence of spiritual discernment and the danger of following one's base instincts.
Jude 1:10 also addresses this theme, saying, "These men, however, slander what they do not understand, and like irrational animals, they will be destroyed by the things they do instinctively." This passage further emphasizes the peril of living without spiritual insight, equating such behavior with that of brute beasts.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, the use of "brute" in the Bible serves as a warning against living a life devoid of spiritual wisdom and understanding. It underscores the importance of seeking God's truth and living according to His commandments, rather than succumbing to base instincts and irrational behavior. The Bible consistently contrasts the brutish with the wise, urging believers to pursue knowledge and discernment through a relationship with God.
Moral and Ethical ConsiderationsThe moral implications of being described as "brute" in the Bible are significant. It suggests a life led by instinct rather than reason, often resulting in destructive behavior. The Bible calls believers to rise above such tendencies, to cultivate a life of wisdom, understanding, and moral integrity. This involves a conscious effort to align one's actions with the teachings of Scripture and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all aspects of life.
In summary, the term "brute" in the Bible is a powerful descriptor of those who lack spiritual insight and moral understanding. It serves as a cautionary term, urging believers to pursue a life of wisdom and discernment in accordance with God's will.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Not having sensation; senseless; inanimate; unconscious; without intelligence or volition; as, the brute earth; the brute powers of nature.
2. (a.) Not possessing reason, irrational; unthinking; as, a brute beast; the brute creation.
3. (a.) Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of, a brute beast. Hence: Brutal; cruel; fierce; ferocious; savage; pitiless; as, brute violence.
4. (a.) Having the physical powers predominating over the mental; coarse; unpolished; unintelligent.
5. (a.) Rough; uncivilized; unfeeling.
6. (n.) An animal destitute of human reason; any animal not human; esp. a quadruped; a beast.
7. (n.) A brutal person; a savage in heart or manners; as unfeeling or coarse person.
8. (v. t.) To report; to bruit.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BRUTE; BRUTISHbroot, brootish (ba`ar, "stupid"; alogos, "without speech," hence, irrational, unreasonable (Acts 25:272 Peter 2:12Jude 1:10 the King James Version)): The man who denies God acts in an irrational way. Such persons are described as brutish (Psalm 49:10;Psalm 92:6;Psalm 94:8Jeremiah 10:14, 21;Jeremiah 51:17). These are stupid, unteachable. This is a graphic description of the atheist. The proverb, "No fool like the learned fool," is especially true of the ignorance of the unbelievers of the Scriptures. Their obj ections to the Bible, as a rule, are utterly ridiculous. The word is occasionally used in the sense of thoughtless ignorance. Brutish counsel is counsel that is foolish, unreasonable (Isaiah 19:11). The term is used by Agur (Proverbs 30:2) to express the low estimate he has of himself and his conscious lack of knowledge.
Jacob W. Kapp
Greek
249. alogos -- without reason...brute, unreasonable. From a (as a negative particle) and logos; irrational --
brute,
unreasonable. see GREEK a. see GREEK logos. (aloga) -- 2 Occurrences.
...2342. therion -- a wild beast
... therion Phonetic Spelling: (thay-ree'-on) Short Definition: a wild beast, animal
Definition: properly: a wild beast, hence: any animal; met: abrute....
Library
Whether the Souls ofBrute Animals are Subsistent?
... TREATISE ON MAN (QQ -102)OF MAN WHO IS COMPOSED OF A SPIRITUAL AND A CORPOREAL
SUBSTANCE: AND IN THE Whether the souls ofbrute animals are subsistent?...
Of Man, and theBrute Animals, and Religion.
... Chap. VII."Of Man, and theBrute Animals, and Religion. Though philosophers
have often turned aside from reason through their...
Courage
... There isbrute courage, which comes from hardness of heart, from stupidity, obstinacy,
or anger, which does not see danger, or does not feel pain....
Whether Christ Worked Miracles Fittingly on Irrational Creatures?
... creatures. Forbrute animals are more noble than plants.... 19). Therefore
Christ should have worked miracles also onbrute animals....
Examination of the Meaning of Subjection:' in that He Says that...
... The Creator, honouring man in his having been made in His own image, hath placed'
thebrute creation in subjection under his feet;' as great David relating...
That Our Irrational Passions have their Rise from Kindred with...
... the first beginnings of our constitutional liability to passion to that human nature
which was fashioned in the Divine likeness; but asbrute life first...
Antipathies
... It is nature,brute nature, which makes some dogs fly at every strange
dog they meet. It is nature,brute nature, which makes a...
Wide and Narrow Sense of the Word "Spirit. "
... term sentiment. Owing to this it is, no doubt, that we are placed above
brute animals, since these are unendowed with reason. These...
God's Exhaustive Knowledge of Man.
... Thebrute creation possesses many attributes that are common to human nature, but
it has no faculty that bears even the remotest resemblance to that of self...
Mathew xi. 10
... Take those tastes in us which most resemble the instincts of abrute; and you will
find that in these, as with instinct, common consent becomes a sure rule....
Thesaurus
Brute (4 Occurrences)... 1. (a.) Not having sensation; senseless; inanimate; unconscious; without intelligence
or volition; as, the
brute earth; the
brute powers of nature.
...Brutish (12 Occurrences)
... (a.) Pertaining to, or resembling, abrute or brutes; of a cruel, gross, and stupid
nature; coarse; unfeeling; unintelligent. Int....BRUTE; BRUTISH....
Beasts (241 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:12 But these, as naturalbrute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed,
speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in...
Brutal (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Of or pertaining to abrute; as, brutal nature. 2. (a.) Like abrute; savage;
cruel; inhuman; brutish; unfeeling; merciless; gross; as, brutal manners....
Psychology
... He is animal as possessing anima, but he is a reasoning animal, which distinguishes
him from thebrute" (Bavinck, German Dogm., II, 628)....
Evolution
... The very emergence of this sense in the mind of a prehuman ancestor of
man would change thebrute into the man. We may speak of...
Anthropology
... In Genesis 1:27 tselem ("image") alone is used to express all that separates
man from thebrute and links him to his Creator. Hence...
Nature (80 Occurrences)
... In Jude 1:10, we have phusikos, "naturally" "naturally, asbrute beasts," the Revised
Version (British and American) "naturally, like the creatures without...
Line (131 Occurrences)
... fortify; as, to line works with soldiers. 6. (vt) To impregnate; -- applied
tobrute animals. 7. (n.) A linen thread or string; a...
Instinct (3 Occurrences)
... WEY NAS). 2 Peter 2:12 But these men, likebrute beasts, created (with their
natural instincts) (Root in WEY NAS RSV NIV). Jude 1:10...
Resources
How should a Christian respond to bullying? | GotQuestions.orgFederalism vs. seminalism'which view is correct? | GotQuestions.orgBrute: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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