In the biblical context, "beasts by nature wild" refers to animals that are untamed and often symbolize chaos, danger, or the untamed aspects of creation. These creatures are frequently mentioned in Scripture to illustrate various spiritual truths, human conditions, or divine judgments.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament contains numerous references to wild beasts, often highlighting their untamed nature and the threat they pose to humans. In Genesis 1:24-25, God creates the beasts of the earth, including wild animals, as part of His good creation: "And God said, 'Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creeping things, and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.' And it was so." Here, wild beasts are part of the natural order established by God.

In the book of Job, wild animals are used to demonstrate God's power and wisdom. Job 39:5-8 describes the freedom and untamed nature of the wild donkey: "Who set the wild donkey free? Who released the swift donkey from the harness? To whom I gave the wasteland as his home, the salt flats as his dwelling. He scorns the tumult of the city and hears no shouts of a driver. He roams the mountains for pasture, searching for any green thing."

The Psalms often use wild beasts metaphorically to describe adversaries or chaotic forces. Psalm 22:12-13 portrays the psalmist's enemies as wild animals: "Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. They open their jaws against me like lions that roar and maul."

Prophetic Literature

In prophetic literature, wild beasts frequently symbolize nations or powers that oppose God's people. In Daniel 7, the prophet Daniel has a vision of four great beasts rising from the sea, representing four kingdoms that will dominate the earth. These beasts are described as terrifying and powerful, emphasizing the threat they pose to God's people.

Isaiah 11:6-9 presents a vision of the Messianic age, where the natural enmity between wild beasts and humans is reconciled: "The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and young lion and fattened calf together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will graze with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox."

New Testament References

In the New Testament, wild beasts are mentioned in the context of spiritual trials and divine protection. Mark 1:13 describes Jesus' temptation in the wilderness: "And He was there in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended Him." Here, the presence of wild beasts underscores the desolation and danger of the wilderness, yet also highlights Jesus' authority and divine protection.

The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:32, uses the imagery of wild beasts to describe his struggles in Ephesus: "If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for human motives, what did I gain? If the dead are not raised, 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.'" This metaphor emphasizes the intensity of his opposition and the futility of his efforts without the hope of resurrection.

Symbolism and Themes

Throughout Scripture, wild beasts often symbolize chaos, danger, and opposition to God's order. They serve as reminders of the fallen state of creation and the need for divine intervention and redemption. At the same time, the Bible also presents a vision of harmony and peace, where the enmity between humans and wild beasts is reconciled through the redemptive work of Christ. This theme underscores the hope of restoration and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over chaos and disorder.Psalm 50:11
I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 1:13
And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2342. therion -- a wild beast
... nature. [2342 () never refers to animals used for .]. Word Origin dim. form of the
same as thera Definition a wild beast NASB Word Usage beast (38), beasts (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2342.htm - 7k

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. v. 22, "Whosoever Shall Say to ...
... beasts? The very beasts of burden, as they are called, are by their nature
wild. For in their untamed state they are unserviceable. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon v on the words.htm

Empedocles Increased the Absurdity of Pythagoras by Developing the ...
... if a man likewise be designated a wild beast or a ... Now the similarity of nature is
even then observed, when ... just quoted): it likens man to the beasts in nature ...
/.../a treatise on the soul/chapter xxxii empedocles increased the absurdity.htm

In the Next Place, in Answer to the Human Race...
... consists in their savage and cruel nature, and that of those who do not make use
of their understanding to secure their safety from injury by wild beasts. ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxxix in the next.htm

He Next Proceeds Further to Object against Himself what is Said on ...
... keep such wild beasts shut up; and when we need the flesh of their bodies for food,
we slaughter them, as we do those beasts which are not of a savage nature. ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxxviii he next proceeds.htm

The Inconsistency of Image Worship. Arguments in Palliation. -1 ...
... them by sculpture but that of men and women and of creatures lower yet and of
irrational nature, all manner of birds, beasts both tame and wild, and creeping ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 19 the inconsistency of.htm

The Tamed Lion.
... The tamed lion. A Lion, though by nature wild,. The art of man can tame; ... A sense
of gratitude. But man himself, who thus subdues. The fiercest beasts of prey; ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 93 the tamed lion.htm

Of the Production of the Beasts and of Man.
... because wisdom was able to supply those things which the condition of nature had
denied ... For if He had given to man the teeth of wild beasts, or horns, or claws ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap ii of the production of.htm

Those Holy Scriptures, Moreover, which Bear the Name of Moses...
... probable that in the beginning of the world's existence human nature would be ... that
"in the beginning men were captured and devoured by wild beasts, while wild ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxxx those holy scriptures.htm

The Number of those who Fought for Religion in Gaul under Verus ...
... those who fought for Religion in Gaul Under Verus and the Nature of their ... When these
accusations were reported, all the people raged like wild beasts against us ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter i the number of those.htm

The Temptation
... Perhaps the assertion that He was with the wild beasts may throw some ray of light
upon the nature of the temptation. There is no intimation of bodily peril. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 1 12 13 the temptation.htm

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