Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, "paws" refers to the feet of certain animals, particularly those with claws or pads. The term is used to describe the physical characteristics of animals that are often mentioned in the Scriptures, highlighting their strength, agility, or the danger they may pose.
Biblical References:1.
Leviticus 11:27 : "And all the four-footed animals that walk on paws are unclean for you; whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean until evening." This verse is part of the dietary laws given to the Israelites, where God distinguishes between clean and unclean animals. Animals that walk on paws, such as certain carnivorous mammals, are deemed unclean and are not to be consumed. This distinction underscores the importance of ritual purity and obedience to God's commandments.
2.
Proverbs 30:29-31 : "There are three things that are stately in their stride, four that move with stately bearing: a lion, mighty among beasts, and refusing to retreat before anything..." While the term "paws" is not explicitly mentioned, the lion's majestic and powerful movement is implied. The lion's paws contribute to its strength and dominance, symbolizing courage and authority, qualities that are often admired and respected in biblical literature.
3.
Daniel 7:4-5 : "The first beast was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle... And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth." In this prophetic vision, the beasts symbolize kingdoms and empires. The lion and the bear, both creatures with formidable paws, represent power and ferocity. The imagery of their paws suggests their ability to conquer and dominate, reflecting the might of the empires they symbolize.
Symbolism and Interpretation:In biblical symbolism, animals with paws often represent strength, ferocity, and the untamed aspects of creation. The lion, frequently mentioned in Scripture, is a prime example of this symbolism. Its paws are instruments of both protection and destruction, embodying the dual nature of power.
The distinction between clean and unclean animals, as seen in Leviticus, also carries a deeper spiritual significance. It serves as a reminder of the need for discernment and the pursuit of holiness in the lives of believers. By adhering to these dietary laws, the Israelites were set apart as God's chosen people, called to live in obedience and purity.
Cultural and Historical Context:In the ancient Near East, where the biblical texts were written, animals played a significant role in daily life, both practically and symbolically. Lions, bears, and other animals with paws were familiar to the people and often featured in their art, literature, and religious practices. Understanding the characteristics and behaviors of these animals would have been essential for survival and for interpreting the rich symbolism found in Scripture.
Overall, the mention of paws in the Bible serves as a reminder of the diversity and complexity of God's creation, as well as the moral and spiritual lessons that can be drawn from observing the natural world.
Strong's Hebrew
2658. chaphar -- to dig, search for... root Definition to dig, search for NASB Word Usage 76,500* (1), dig (2), digs (1),
dug (11), hollowed (1), look around (1),
paws (1), sank (1), search (3
...4833. marpes -- (water) befouled
... 4832, 4833. marpes. 4834 . (water) befouled. Transliteration: marpes
Phonetic Spelling: (meer-paws') Short Definition: foul. Word...
3709. kaph -- hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot)...
... 1), grasp (2), hand (46), handful* (1), handles (1), hands (69), hands* (1), hollow
(1), hoof* (1), palm (8), palms (3), pan (12), pans (9),paws (1), pledge (1...
Library
That Evening Vergilius Went to Feast with the Young Herodian...
... and the huge cat leaped away from their lances, backed snarling to the end of his
cage, and with a slow, creeping movement put his head and fore-paws into the...
Christian Unity.
... Look at two little dogs playing together, they put theirpaws on each other's shoulders,
and dance round each other, and roll each other over, and are full of...
'Make the Tree Good'
... In the Sermon on the Mount He applies it as a test to false teachers, who hide,
beneath the wool of the sheep's clothing, the fangs andpaws of ravening wolves...
"All was Closed, and I Saw no More. " "For the Folly of Feeling a...
... horrible. Body nor hands had he none shapely, but with hispaws he held me
in the throat, and would have strangled me, but he might not....
On Infants' Early Deaths.
... racers rouses him into excitement, that he lifts his head with eager looks, that
he shows his spirit in his breathings, and prances andpaws the ground...
A Caution to Stir up to Watch against Sin
... a lion prey; 'Twill roar, 'twill rend, 'twill tear, 'twill kill out- right, Its
living death will gnaw thee day and night: Thy pleasures now topaws and teeth...
The Annunciation
... The serpent was three or four feet long, had a broad flat head and under its breast
were two short skinnypaws, clawed like bat's wings, on which it pushed...
The Scriptures Reveal Eternal Life through Jesus Christ
... Life is precious in itself, but much more precious to one condemned to die,"to be
caught out of thepaws of the lion,"to be brought back from the gibbet....
The Motives to this Oversight
... against principalities and powers, and spiritual wickednesses in high places; if
you will undertake to rescue captive sinners out of the devil'spaws; do not...
The Savanna of Aripo
... of an air of triumph, a little plant, which was"there was no denying it"none other
than the long-leaved Sundew, {260a} with its clammy-hairedpaws full of...
Thesaurus
Paws (2 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Paws (2 Occurrences). Leviticus 11:27 Whatever goes on
its
paws, among all animals that go on all fours, they are unclean to you.
...Paw (4 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To pass the paw over; to stroke or handle with thepaws; hence, to handle
fondly or rudely. 5. (vt) To scrape or beat with the forefoot. Int....
Walks (51 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Leviticus 11:27 Whatever goes on itspaws, among all animals
that go on all fours, they are unclean to you. Whoever...
Fray (4 Occurrences)
... away. (KJV). Job 39:21 Hepaws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength.
He goes out to meet the armed men. (See NIV). Jeremiah...
Fiercely (8 Occurrences)
... Genesis 49:23 The archers have sorely grieved him, shot at him, and persecute him:
(See RSV). Job 39:21 Hepaws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength....
Fours (4 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV NIV). Leviticus 11:27 Whatever goes on itspaws, among
all animals that go on all fours, they are unclean to you....
Toucheth (45 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 11:27 And whatsoever goeth upon hispaws, among all manner of beasts that
go on all four, those are unclean unto you: whoso toucheth their carcass...
Touches (55 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Leviticus 11:27 Whatever goes on itspaws, among all animals
that go on all fours, they are unclean to you. Whoever...
Rejoices (30 Occurrences)
... salvation. (See NIV). Job 39:21 Hepaws in the valley, and rejoices in his
strength. He goes out to meet the armed men. (WEB NAS)....
Exults (8 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Job 39:21 Hepaws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength. He goes out
to meet the armed men. (See RSV). Psalms 21:1 For the Chief Musician....
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