UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: wolf

Semantic entry: 4.11

Semantic domains: Animals

Subdomains: Animals

Definition: wild, four-footed, predatory canine; light-brown fur, similar to jackal, but much bigger; Canis lupus; regarded as ravenous and fierce; commonly prey on flocks; symbol of roaming, opportunistic, dangerous, fierce, and clever banditry

Notes: In areas of the world in which wolves are not known, some translators have rendered λύκος[a] by the local equivalent of ‘leopard’ or ‘jaguar.’ This may be satisfactory for initial translations of the Scriptures, but such shifts in reference are normally rejected at a later stage by those readers who become more acquainted with the types animals which exist in other parts of the world. In most instances in which local terms for ‘wolf’ do not exist, translators have used descriptive phrases such as ‘wild dog’ or ‘fierce, wild dog,’ or they may have borrowed a term from a dominant language in the area and have added a qualifying phrase, for example, ‘a wild animal called wolf.’ One may, of course, simply use a more generic expression with some kind of qualifier. For example, in OET ACT 20:29 it is possible to use ‘fierce, wild animals,’ for the meaning of the passage is primarily figurative, and a specific designation of wolf is not required.

Further resources: fauna:2.35

Sense 2: vicious person, fierce wolf, fierce person

Semantic entry: 88.121

Semantic domains: Moral and Ethical Qualities and Related Behavior

Subdomains: Bad, Evil, Harmful, Damaging

Definition: (a figurative extension of meaning of λύκος[a] ‘wolf,’ 4.11: λύκος) a person who is particularly vicious and dangerous

Notes: In situations where wolves are not known, it may be possible to translate OET ACT 20:29 as ‘men like fierce animals will come among you.’ In some instances λύκος in OET ACT 20:29 has been rendered as ‘fierce, wild dogs.’