In the context of the Bible, the term "savage" is not directly used in most translations, including the Berean Standard Bible . However, the concept of savagery can be understood through various descriptions of violent, wild, or untamed behavior that is contrary to the nature of God and His teachings.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament often describes the behavior of nations and individuals that could be considered savage. For example, the Assyrians and Babylonians were known for their brutal military campaigns and harsh treatment of conquered peoples. In 2 Kings 19:17, the Assyrians are described as having "laid waste" to nations, a term that implies a savage destruction: "Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste these nations and their lands."

The book of Proverbs frequently contrasts the behavior of the wise with that of the foolish, where the latter can sometimes be seen as savage in their lack of self-control and propensity for violence. Proverbs 1:11-12 warns against joining those who are quick to shed blood: "If they say, 'Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause; let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit.'"

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of savagery is often addressed in the context of human sinfulness and the need for redemption through Christ. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, speaks against behaviors that are wild and untamed, urging believers to live by the Spirit rather than the flesh. Galatians 5:19-21 lists the "acts of the flesh," which include "hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage," behaviors that can be seen as savage: "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like."

The transformation from a savage nature to one of peace and self-control is a key theme in the New Testament. In Titus 3:3-5, Paul reminds believers of their past before knowing Christ: "For we too were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, enslaved to all kinds of passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit."

Symbolic and Prophetic Imagery

The Bible also uses symbolic and prophetic imagery to depict savage creatures or entities. In the book of Daniel and Revelation, beasts are often used to symbolize empires or leaders that act in a savage manner, opposing God's people and His purposes. Daniel 7:7 describes a beast that is "terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong," representing a kingdom that devours and crushes.

Moral and Ethical Implications

From a moral and ethical standpoint, the Bible calls believers to reject savage behavior and instead embody the fruits of the Spirit, which include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). The transformation from a life characterized by savagery to one of righteousness is central to the Christian message of redemption and sanctification through Jesus Christ.1. (a.) Uncivilized; barbarous; untamed; of or pertaining to the forest; remote from human abodes and cultivation; in a state of nature; wild; as, a savage wilderness.

2. (a.) Wild; untamed; uncultivated; as, savage beasts.

3. (a.) Uncivilized; untaught; unpolished; rude; as, savage life; savage manners.

4. (a.) Characterized by cruelty; barbarous; fierce; ferocious; inhuman; brutal; as, a savage spirit.

5. (n.) A human being in his native state of rudeness; one who is untaught, uncivilized, or without cultivation of mind or manners.

6. (n.) A man of extreme, unfeeling, brutal cruelty; a barbarian.

7. (v. t.) To make savage.

66. agrios -- living in the fields, wild, savage, fierce
... living in the fields, wild, savage, fierce. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration:
agrios Phonetic Spelling: (ag'-ree-os) Short Definition: wild, fierce ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/66.htm - 6k

434. anemeros -- not tame
... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: anemeros Phonetic Spelling:
(an-ay'-mer-os) Short Definition: not tame, fierce Definition: not tame, fierce, ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/434.htm - 6k

4658. Skuthes -- a Scythian, an inhabitant of Scythia (considered ...
... Scythian. Probably of foreign origin; a Scythene or Scythian, ie (by implication)
a savage -- Scythian. (skuthes) -- 1 Occurrence. 4657, 4658. Skuthes. 4659 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4658.htm - 6k

926. barus -- heavy
... Word Origin a prim. word Definition heavy NASB Word Usage burdensome (1), heavy
(1), savage (1), serious (1), weightier provisions (1), weighty (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/926.htm - 7k

A Savage Duel.
... Calvary: Victory A Savage Duel. Once more Jesus is led through these ... that savagely
wounded their pride to utter. The savage duel is over. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/a savage duel.htm

By this You May See who are the Rude and Barbarous Indians: for ...
... THE THIRD CENTURY 12 By this you may see who are the rude and barbarous Indians:
For verily there is no savage nation under the cope of Heaven. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/traherne/centuries of meditations/12 by this you may.htm

Religious Dangers
... Not in the barren desert, but in the rich forest, wanders the true savage, eating
and eating all day long, like the ape in the trees above his head; and (I had ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon x religious dangers.htm

Science and the Savages
... The secret of why some savage tribe worships monkeys or the moon is not to be found
even by travelling among those savages and taking down their answers in a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xi science and the savages.htm

Work
... No doubt it is much easier and pleasanter for the savage to scratch the seed into
the ground with some rude wooden tool, and sit idle till the grain ripens ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xii work.htm

General Remarks on the History of Missions in this Age.
... The principle of Christianity must always manifest itself as a reforming principle;
whether it becomes to savage nations"by being engrafted into the wild ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/general remarks on the history.htm

Whether Cruelty Differs from Savagery or Brutality?
... says (De Clementia ii, 4) that "a man who is angry without being hurt, or with one
who has not offended him, is not said to be cruel, but to be brutal or savage ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether cruelty differs from savagery.htm

The End of Cambyses.
... The two magi."Cambyses suspicious."He plans an invasion of Ethiopia."Island of
Elephantine."The Icthyophagi."Classes of savage nations."Embassadors ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter ii the end of.htm

For Whereas we are Composed of Two Distinct Natures...
... I mean of body and spirit, of which the one is visible to all, the other invisible,
against both these natures two kinds of barbarous and savage enemies, the ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter vii for whereas we.htm

An Address to the Man who is Down
... After passing through the animal stage, it is believed that man passed through a
long, long discipline in the savage state; so that, in addition to the animal ...
/.../stones rolled away and other addresses to young men/ii an address to the.htm

Savage (3 Occurrences)
... Uncivilized; barbarous; untamed; of or pertaining to the forest; remote from human
abodes and cultivation; in a state of nature; wild; as, a savage wilderness. ...
/s/savage.htm - 7k

Barbarian (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A foreigner. 2. (n.) A man in a rule, savage, or uncivilized state. ... 4. (n.)
A cruel, savage, brutal man; one destitute of pity or humanity. ...
/b/barbarian.htm - 10k

Magician (5 Occurrences)
... Frazer (Golden Bough(2), I, 61) says: "Magic is a kind of savage logic, an elementary
species of reasoning based on similarity, contiguity and contrast." But ...
/m/magician.htm - 24k

Brute (4 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of, a brute beast. Hence: Brutal;
cruel; fierce; ferocious; savage; pitiless; as, brute violence. ...
/b/brute.htm - 9k

Magic (12 Occurrences)
... Frazer (Golden Bough(2), I, 61) says: "Magic is a kind of savage logic, an elementary
species of reasoning based on similarity, contiguity and contrast." But ...
/m/magic.htm - 29k

Discomfiture (6 Occurrences)
... The apostle represents it as a savage beast of prey, a roaring lion, prowling about
them to seize and devour (5:8, 9). A variety of charges were brought ...
/d/discomfiture.htm - 101k

Semites
... God, or poetically conceived of the storm-cloud as Yahweh's chariot (Psalm 104:3),
we must not be led into believing that his religion was a savage animism, or ...
/s/semites.htm - 27k

Semitic
... God, or poetically conceived of the storm-cloud as Yahweh's chariot (Psalm 104:3),
we must not be led into believing that his religion was a savage animism, or ...
/s/semitic.htm - 28k

Nob (6 Occurrences)
... This was observed by Doeg the Edomite, who informed the king, and afterward became
the instrument of Saul's savage vengeance on the priests, and on all the ...
/n/nob.htm - 12k

Unsubdued (1 Occurrence)
... Unsubdued (1 Occurrence). 2 Timothy 3:3 without natural affection, implacable,
slanderers, of unsubdued passions, savage, having no love for what is good, (DBY) ...
/u/unsubdued.htm - 6k

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