wolf Summary and Overview

Heb. zeeb, frequently referred to in Scripture as an emblem of treachery and cruelty. Jacob's prophecy, "Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf" (Gen. 49:27), represents the warlike character of that tribe (see Judg. 19-21). Isaiah represents the peace of Messiah's kingdom by the words, "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb" (Isa. 11:6). The habits of the wolf are described in Jer. 5:6; Hab. 1:8; Zeph. 3:3; Ezek. 22:27; Matt. 7:15; 10:16; Acts 20:29. Wolves are still sometimes found in Israel, and are the dread of shepherds, as of old.

There can be little doubt that the wolf of Israel 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 Israel. --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 #Ge 49:27, Eze 22:27|; Habb 1:8; Matt 7:15 its nocturnal habits, in #Jer 5:6; Zep 3:3|; Habb 1:8 its attacking sheep and lambs, #Mt 10:16; Lu 10:3; Joh 10:12| Isaiah #Isa 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. #Mt 10:16; Ac 20:29|

WOLF , a fierce, cruel, ravenous animal, in size and general appearance resembling a dog, and a most terrible enemy to sheep. Isa 65:25; Matt 7:15; Neh 10:16; John 10:12; Acts 20:29. The rapaciousness of the tribe of Benjamin was foretold by Jacob by a comparison with the wolf. Gen 49:27. See Judg 20-21 and comp. 1 Sam 9:1 and John 20:31 and Acts 9:1; Rom 11:1; Phil 3:5. The Bible-writers also illustrate the cruelty of Israel's oppressors by an allusion to the wolf. Eze 22:27, and the sallying forth of the evening wolf in search of prey, Hab 1:8, is emblematical of the destruction which awaits wicked men. Jer 5:5-6. The allusion Zeph 3:3 is to the circumstance that the wolf in its greediness often seizes on more than it can consume. The wolf still lurks in Palestine, the dread of shepherds. As there found, it is of a pale fawn-color, but, although thus lighter than the common European species (Canis lupus), seems to be only a variety of it.

zeeb. The Canis lupus. Fierce (Genesis 49:27; Ezekiel 22:27; Habakkuk 1:8; Matthew 7:15); prowling in the night (Jeremiah 5:6; Zephaniah 3:3); devouring lambs and sheep (John 10:12); typifying persecutors and heretical leaders (Matthew 10:16; Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:29); hereafter about to associate peacefully with the lamb under Messiah's reign (Isaiah 11:6; Isaiah 65:25). Tawny in color in Asia Minor.