The Biblical Significance of the Wolf: What Does it Represent?

Introduction

The wolf has been a symbol used throughout history in various cultures and religions. In the Bible, the wolf is mentioned several times and has a significant meaning. In this article, we will explore what the wolf symbolizes in the Bible.

What Does the Wolf Symbolize in the Bible?

The wolf is often used in the Bible to represent different things, such as:

• Evil: In Matthew 7:15, Jesus warns his followers to beware of false prophets who come to them in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
• Danger: In Ezekiel 22:27, the prophet describes the leaders of Israel as wolves tearing apart their prey.
• Persistence: In Habakkuk 1:8, the prophet describes the Babylonians as "wolves of the evening" who "come for the prey" and are "set on violence."
• Protection: In Genesis 49:27, Jacob blesses his son Benjamin, saying he is "a ravenous wolf; in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil."

Wolves in Prophetic Literature

Wolves are used throughout prophetic literature to describe the wicked and the enemies of God's people. One example is found in Isaiah 11:6-9:

"The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."

In this passage, the wolf is used to represent a future time of peace and harmony among all of God's creation. The wolf is no longer seen as a predator, but as a peaceful cohabitant with other animals.

Wolves in the New Testament

In the New Testament, the wolf is used to describe false teachers and those who seek to destroy the church. Jesus warns his followers to beware of false teachers who come to them in sheep's clothing but are inwardly ravenous wolves (Matthew 7:15).

Additionally, in Acts 20:29-30, Paul warns the Ephesian elders of wolves who will come in among them, not sparing the flock. These wolves will arise from among their own selves, seeking to draw away disciples after themselves.

Conclusion

The wolf is a symbol used throughout the Bible to represent different things, such as evil, danger, persistence, and protection. In prophetic literature, the wolf is used to represent a future time of peace and harmony. In the New Testament, the wolf is used to describe false teachers and those who seek to destroy the church. Understanding the symbolism of the wolf in the Bible can help us better understand the messages and themes found throughout Scripture.