UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: bear

Semantic entry: 4.12

Semantic domains: Animals

Subdomains: Animals

Definition: large wild four-footed mammal with thick fur and doglike face; walks on all fours but may stand up on its back legs to get a better view; may be 2 m. tall when standing up and weigh over 200 kilos; feeds on roots, berries, wild fruit, mice, and lizards, and, occasionally, small livestock; Ursus arctos syriacus; dangerous when provoked or robbed of cubs; associated with violence and danger

Notes: The term ἄρκος ‘bear’ occurs in the NT only in RV REV 13:2 · LV REV 13:2 · Read together REV 13:2 as a description of the apocalyptic beast. In languages where a term for bear is not known, it is probably best to borrow a word and describe the referent in a footnote or glossary. In RV REV 13:2 · LV REV 13:2 · Read together REV 13:2 a somewhat descriptive phrase is sometimes employed, for example, ‘with large feet having claws like those of an animal called bear.’ By this means the information about the bear’s feet has been incorporated into the text, but usually it is better to leave such information to a marginal note.

Further resources: fauna:2.6