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wı̄ld beÌ„st: (1) ×–×™×–, zı̄z, only with שׂרי, saÌ„dhay, “field,†in the expression, שׂרי ×–×™×–, zı̄z saÌ„dhay, translated “wild beasts of the field†(; ); compare Targum to , ×–×™×–×, zı̄zaÌ„', “worm†(BDB); Arabic zı̂z, “worm.†(2) ציּי×, cı̄yı̄m (; ; ). (3) ××™Ö¼×™×, 'ı̄yı̄m (; ; ). (4) ×—×™, hÌ£ay, “living thing,†often translated “wild beast†in English Versions of the Bible (, etc.). (5) In Apocrypha (Additions to Esther 16:24, etc.) and the New Testament (), θηÏιÌον, theÌ„rıÌon. (6) the King James Version; , τετÏαÌποδον, tetraÌpodon, the Revised Version (British and American) “four-rooted beast.â€
(1), (2) and (3) are of doubtful etymology, but the context makes it clear in each case that wild beasts of some sort are meant. The Targum zı̄za', “worm,†is possible in , though not probable in view of the parallel “boarâ€: “The boar out of the wood doth ravage it, and the wild beasts of the field feed on it,†i.e. on the vine (figurative) brought out of Egypt. In , however, such an interpretation is out of the question. All the references from to are to large animals, bullocks, goats, cattle and birds. Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) and the Septuagint have in “wild beast†and in “beauty of the field†(translated)!
Cı̄yı̄m, doubtfully referred to cı̄yaÌ„h, “drought,†occurs in prophecies of the desolation of Babylon in (“wild beasts of the desertâ€) and , of Edom in , of Assyria in (“them that dwell in the wildernessâ€). It is associated in these passages with names of wild beasts and birds, some of them of very doubtful meaning, such as tannı̄m, 'oÌ„ḥı̄m,'ı̄yı̄m, se'ı̄rı̄m, benoÌ„th ya‛ănaÌ„h. Wild beasts of some sort are clearly meant, though the kind can only be conjectured. The word occurs in (“the people inhabiting the wildernessâ€) where it is possible to understand “beasts†instead of people. It occurs also in (“they that dwell in the wildernessâ€), where it seems necessary to understand “men.†If the reading stands, it is not easy to reconcile this passage with the others.
'IÌ„yı̄m occurs in and and in , three of the passages cited for cı̄yı̄m. the King James Version referring to 'ı̄, “island,†renders “wild beasts of the islands†(). the Revised Version (British and American) has “wolves,†margin “howling creaturesâ€; compare Arabic ‛anwa', “to howl,†and ibn-'aÌ„wa' or waÌ‚wi, “jackal.†See JACKAL.