The term "she-bear" refers to a female bear, and in the context of the Bible, it is most notably associated with an event involving the prophet Elisha. The she-bear is mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of 2 Kings, and serves as a symbol of divine retribution and the seriousness of mocking God's appointed servants.

Biblical Account:

The primary biblical reference to she-bears is found in 2 Kings 2:23-25. After the prophet Elisha had succeeded Elijah, he traveled to Bethel. As he was on his way, a group of youths came out of the city and mocked him, saying, "Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!" (2 Kings 2:23). This taunt was not merely an insult to Elisha's physical appearance but a challenge to his prophetic authority and a disrespectful reference to Elijah's ascension.

In response to their mockery, Elisha turned around, looked at them, and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Following this, two she-bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths (2 Kings 2:24). This incident underscores the seriousness with which God regards the respect due to His prophets and the consequences of blasphemy and irreverence.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In the biblical narrative, the she-bears serve as instruments of divine judgment. The sudden and violent appearance of the bears highlights the immediacy and severity of God's response to those who scorn His messengers. This event is often interpreted as a warning against the dangers of disrespecting God's authority and the representatives He appoints.

The use of she-bears, specifically, may also carry symbolic weight. In the ancient Near East, bears were known for their ferocity and protective nature, especially when it came to their cubs. The imagery of a she-bear is used elsewhere in Scripture to convey intense anger and protective wrath. For example, in Hosea 13:8, God describes His wrath against Israel as being like a bear robbed of her cubs.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the account of the she-bears in 2 Kings serves as a reminder of God's holiness and the respect due to His chosen servants. It illustrates the principle that God will defend His honor and the honor of those He has called to serve Him. The incident also reflects the broader biblical theme of divine justice, where God acts to uphold righteousness and punish wickedness.

Cultural and Historical Context:

Understanding the cultural and historical context of this event is crucial. In ancient Israel, prophets were revered as God's spokesmen, and their authority was not to be taken lightly. The mocking of Elisha by the youths can be seen as a reflection of societal attitudes towards prophetic authority at the time. The severe consequence they faced serves as a narrative tool to reinforce the importance of respecting God's word and His messengers.

In summary, the account of the she-bears in 2 Kings 2:23-25 is a vivid illustration of divine retribution and the sanctity of God's appointed prophets. It serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of irreverence and the protection God affords to those who faithfully serve Him.

Commandments to Women.
... let not a Christian woman bathe with an hermaphrodite; for if she is to veil her
face, and conceal it with modesty from strange men, how can she bear to enter ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii commandments to women.htm

I Will Lay Hold Upon Thee and Bring Thee into My Mother's House ...
... soul who is borne by her Bridegroom bears Him also. And whither does she
bear Him? thither only where she can go: she bears Him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/2 i will lay hold.htm

The Will.
... with his rage? How will she bear with the faults of her servants and of
those with whom she may be obliged to live? How will she ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter ix the will.htm

2 Cor. xii. 16-18
... But from this too learn thou again the power of virtue. Not even when he was
shut up and bound and silent, does she bear the righteous man. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxviii 2 cor xii.htm

Against Publishing the Errors of the Brethren.
... When the Jew says to thee, "how did the virgin bear?" say to him "how did she bear
who was barren and enfeebled by old age?" There were then two hindrances ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/against publishing the errors of.htm

The Mission of Little Children
... all these memories, all these suggestions, crowd upon her. How can she
bear all this? She could not, were it not that her faith ...
/.../chapin/the crown of thorns/the mission of little children.htm

Figurative Senses have their Foundation in Literal Fact Besides ...
... For it was not figuratively that the Virgin conceived in her womb; nor in
a trope did she bear Emmanuel, that is, Jesus, God with us. ...
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The Mosaic Law the Fountain of all Ethics, and the Source from ...
... her, or to have her any longer as a servant, but desires her to be freed and released
from service, lest on the introduction of another wife she bear any of ...
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Mortifications Divided Into: 1...
... She may esteem them to come from God: 1. if she bear herself well in the ordinary
mortifications of necessity, supporting cheerfully and courageously both the ...
/.../chapter v mortifications divided into .htm

Sacrifice.
... Every degree in which love stands above her brethren means pain and shame to
love though as yet she bear no thorn or nail in her flesh. ...
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She-bear (2 Occurrences)
She-bear. Shebat, She-bear. She-bears . Multi-Version Concordance
She-bear (2 Occurrences). Proverbs 17:12 It is better ...
/s/she-bear.htm - 6k

Impurity (42 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 12:5 But if shebear a maid-child, then she shall be unclean two weeks,
as in her impurity; and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying ...
/i/impurity.htm - 21k

Threescore (87 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 12:5 But if shebear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks,
as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying ...
/t/threescore.htm - 33k

Maid-child (1 Occurrence)
... Leviticus 12:5 But if shebear a maid-child, then she shall be unclean two weeks,
as in her impurity; and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying ...
/m/maid-child.htm - 6k

Purified (44 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 12:5 But if shebear a maid-child, then she shall be unclean two weeks,
as in her impurity; and she shall continue in the blood of purification ...
/p/purified.htm - 20k

Purifying (17 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 12:5 But if shebear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks,
as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying ...
/p/purifying.htm - 11k

Cleansing (37 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 12:5 And if shebear a female, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as
in her separation; and she shall continue sixty-six days in the blood of her ...
/c/cleansing.htm - 18k

She-bears (1 Occurrence)
She-bears. She-bear, She-bears. Sheber . Multi-Version Concordance ... (See JPS
ASV BBE DBY RSV). She-bear, She-bears. Sheber . Reference Bible.
/s/she-bears.htm - 6k

Shebat (1 Occurrence)

/s/shebat.htm - 7k

Separation (50 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 12:5 But if shebear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks,
as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying ...
/s/separation.htm - 23k

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