Wolf
zeeb. The Canis lupus. Fierce (Gen 49:27; Eze 22:27; Hab 1:8; Mat 7:15); prowling in the night (Jer 5:6; Zep 3:3); devouring lambs and sheep (Joh 10:12); typifying persecutors and heretical leaders (Mat 10:16; Mat 7:15; Act 20:29); hereafter about to associate peacefully with the lamb under Messiah's reign (Isa 11:6; Isa 65:25). Tawny in color in Asia Minor.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Wolf
Wolf woolf ((1) ze'ebh (Ge 49:27; 11:6; 65:25; Jer 5:6; Eze 22:27; Hab 1:8; Zep 3:3; also as proper name, Zeeb, prince of Midian, Jg 7:25; 8:3; Ps 83:11); compare Arabic dhi'b, colloquial dhib, or dib; (2) lukos (Mt 7:15; 10:16; Lu 10:3; Joh 10:12; Ac 20:29; Ecclesiasticus 13:17; compare 2 Esdras 5:18, lupus); (3) 'iyim, the Revised Version (British and American) "wolves" (Isa 13:22; 34:14; Jer 50:39)): ⇒See a list of verses on WOLF in the Bible. While the wolf is surpassed in size by some dogs, it is the fiercest member of the dog family (Canidae), which includes among others the jackal and the fox. Dogs, wolves and jackals are closely allied and will breed together. There is no doubt that the first dogs were domesticated wolves. While there are local varieties which some consider to be distinct species, it is allowable to regard all the wolves of both North America, Europe, and Northern Asia (except the American coyote) as members of one species, Canis lupus. The wolf of Syria and Palestine is large, light colored, and does not seem to hunt in packs. Like other wolves it is nocturn…
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible on Wolf
In all the passages in the OT where AV and RV have 'wolf the Heb. original is dk] zCeb, LXX and NT \vko%, Vulg. lupus, Arab, dki'b. The wolf is, unfortunately, quite abundant in the Holy Land, and very de.structive to the flocks of sheep and goats, which constitute so large a part of the wealth of the peojile. It is not surjirising, therefore, that the allusions to it and its habits should be frequent. Its insatiablencss is the theme of a comparison with Kenjamin (Gn 49"). One of the most signal miracles of the triumph of God's kingdom is the change in the habits and instincts of the wolf (Is 11« 65-», Sir 13"). The princes of apostate Israel ate characterized as wolves (Ezk 22"). The nocturnal habits of the wolf are noted (.ler 5' nin-jy^ 'evenings,' m. 'deserts,' Hab 1", Zcph 3'). The enemies of the truth are wolves (Mt 10", Lk ICH, Jn 10'»). Hypocrites in the Christian Church are wolves (Mt 7'*, Ac 20=»). The wolv(!» of the Holy Land are large, tawny, and usualry solitary, or one or two together. Tliey prowl around the flocks and herds, and sometimes get into the folds. They seldo…
Smith's Bible Dictionary on Wolf
There can be little doubt that the wolf of Palestine is the common Canis lupus, and that this is the animal so frequently mentioned in the Bible. (The wolf is a fierce animal of the same species as the dog, which it resembles. The common color is gray with a tinting of fawn, and the hair is long and black. The Syrian wolf is of lighter color than the wolf of Europe it is the dread of the shepherds of Palestine.—ED.) Wolves were doubtless far more common in biblical times than they are now, though they are occasionally seen by modern travellers. The following are the scriptural allusions to the wolf: Its ferocity is mentioned in (Genesis 49:27; Ezekiel 22:27); Habb 1:8; Matt 7:15 Its nocturnal habits, in (Jeremiah 5:6; Zephaniah 3:3); Habb 1:8 Its attacking sheep and lambs, (Matthew 10:16; Luke 10:3; John 10:12) Isaiah (Isaiah 11:6; 65:25) foretells the peaceful reign of the Messiah under the metaphor of a wolf dwelling with a lamb: cruel persecutors are compared with wolves. (Matthew 10:16; Acts 20:29)
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia