Topical Encyclopedia
The term "ravenous" in the Bible is often used to describe intense hunger or a voracious appetite, both in a literal and metaphorical sense. It is frequently associated with predatory animals and is used to illustrate the destructive and insatiable nature of certain individuals or groups.
Biblical References:1.
Literal Usage: · In the natural world, "ravenous" is used to describe animals that are fierce and hungry. For example,
Isaiah 35:9 states, "No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk there." This passage contrasts the safety and peace of the redeemed with the danger posed by ravenous beasts.
2.
Metaphorical Usage: · The term is often employed metaphorically to describe false prophets or leaders who exploit and harm others. In
Matthew 7:15 , Jesus warns, "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." Here, "ravenous wolves" symbolizes those who appear harmless but are actually dangerous and deceitful, preying on the unsuspecting.
3.
Symbol of Judgment and Destruction: · Ravenous creatures are sometimes used as symbols of divine judgment. In
Ezekiel 22:27 , the leaders of Israel are compared to ravenous wolves: "Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain." This imagery underscores the severity of their corruption and the resulting judgment.
4.
Contrast with God’s Provision: · The Bible contrasts the ravenous nature of predators with God’s provision and care. In
Psalm 147:9 , it is written, "He provides food for the animals and for the young ravens when they call." This verse highlights God’s sovereignty and care over creation, even providing for creatures known for their insatiable hunger.
Theological Implications:The use of "ravenous" in Scripture serves as a powerful illustration of the destructive nature of sin and the deceitfulness of false teachings. It warns believers to be vigilant and discerning, recognizing that not all who appear righteous are truly so. The imagery of ravenous wolves among the flock calls for spiritual discernment and a reliance on God’s wisdom to identify and resist such threats.
Furthermore, the contrast between ravenous beasts and God’s provision emphasizes His role as the ultimate provider and protector. While the world may be filled with dangers and those who seek to devour, God’s care and provision remain steadfast for those who trust in Him.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Extremely hungry; furiously voracious; hungry even to rage; as, a ravenous wolf or vulture.
2. (a.) Eager for prey or gratification; as, a ravenous appetite or desire.
Greek
727. harpax -- rapacious... rapacious. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: harpax Phonetic Spelling:
(har'-pax) Short Definition: rapacious,
ravenous, a robber, an extortioner
...Strong's Hebrew
6530. parits -- violent one... destroyer,
ravenous, robber. From parats; violent, ie A tyrant -- destroyer,
ravenous,
robber. see HEBREW parats. 6529, 6530. parits. 6531 . Strong's Numbers
5861. ayit -- a bird of prey
... bird, fowl,ravenous bird. From iyt; a hawk or other bird of prey -- bird, fowl,
ravenous (bird). see HEBREW iyt. 5860b, 5861. ayit. 5862 . Strong's Numbers
2963. taraph -- to tear, rend, pluck
... root Definition to tear, rend, pluck NASB Word Usage feed (1), ravening (1),ravenous
(1), surely been torn to pieces (2), tear (7), tearing (2), tears (2...
Library
But Possibly one who Has Given his Attention to the Course of the...
... ransom in our behalf might be easily accepted by him who required it, the Deity
was hidden under the veil of our nature, that so, as withravenous fish [2001...
The King's Highway
... No lion shall be there, nor anyravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not
be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there.'"Isaiah 35:8, 9....
The Gospel Day Seen in Prophecy.
... no lion shall be there, nor anyravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not
be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: and the ransomed of the...
Names
... like beasts, and therefore name their children after dumb animals,"the girls after
the gentler and fairer animals, and the boys afterravenous and cruel...
The Highway of Holiness
... Though there are many dangers if we get off the road, while we keep to the Highway
there is safety, for "no lion shall be there, nor anyravenous beast shall...
What the Big Chest Contained
... Even cigar stubs; in fact, everything in the form of tobacco, that had been thrown
away, they eagerly gathered and used to satisfy theirravenous appetites....
Through Fire.
... the service rendered. It proved to mean a lions' den, and the power of
God overcoming the instincts ofravenous beasts. But clear...
Homer's Obligations to the Sacred Writers.
... O'erspread nine acres of infernal ground; Tworavenous vultures, furious for
their food,. Scream o'er the fiend, and riot in his blood,....
Nahum
... war. The city is doomed, the defenders flee, everywhere is desolation and
ruin, theravenous Assyrian lion is slain by the sword....
The Talmud.
... of hatred and contempt invented by the Jews, and means either scourge; or, like
the Greek panther, and the Latin lupa, it is synonymous withravenous lust, and...
Thesaurus
Ravenous (11 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Extremely hungry; furiously voracious; hungry
even to rage; as, a
ravenous wolf or vulture.
...Ravenous (11 Occurrences).
...Ravin (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.)Ravenous. 2. (n.) Alt. of Ravine. 3. (vt & i.)
Alt. of Ravine. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. RAVEN; RAVIN....
Summer (28 Occurrences)
... 40:10, 12); theros (Matthew 24:32 Luke 21:30)): The Hebrew verb, mentioned above,
occurs in Isaiah 18:6, "to summer," used of theravenous birds feeding upon...
Raven (7 Occurrences)
... So "ravenous bird" (Isaiah 46:11 Ezekiel 39:4) is a bird of prey (not a "hungry
bird"), `ayiT, literally, "a screecher." "Ravenous beast" in Isaiah 35:9 is for...
Wintereth (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 18:6 They are left together to theravenous fowl of the mountains, And to
the beast of the earth, And summered on them hath theravenous fowl, And every...
Winter (22 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Isaiah 18:6 They will be left together for theravenous birds of the
mountains, and for the animals of the earth. Theravenous...
Predatory (1 Occurrence)
... a predatory party. 3. (a.) Hungry;ravenous; as, predatory spirits.
Multi-Version Concordance Predatory (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 39...
Summered (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 18:6 They are left together to theravenous fowl of the mountains, And to
the beast of the earth, And summered on them hath theravenous fowl, And every...
Wolf (4 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Fig.: Any veryravenous, rapacious, or destructive person or thing; especially,
want; starvation; as, they toiled hard to keep the wolf from the door....
Fowl (73 Occurrences)
... it is used collectively for birds and fowl in general (Genesis 1:20, etc.; ; Genesis
2:19, 20, etc.); `ayit (from `ut, "to rush") means aravenous beasts; or...
Resources
What is the highway of holiness (Isaiah 35:8)? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I, a Muslim, become assured of paradise? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that you will know them by their fruit in Matthew 7:16? | GotQuestions.orgRavenous: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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