Syrian brown bear importance in Near Eastern cultures

[oldcyansilverback]

Syrian brown bears were really abundant at one point in time. This bible verse talks about the Syrian brown bear.

I wonder how these brown bears interacted with the lion back in their era. Same here with the Atlas bear and Barbary lion.

[Montezuma]

In the Old Testament, the bear has often been used as a symbol of 'divine fury or calamity' upon the people of Israel and Judah for their deviation from the true faith. Prophet Elisha, whom some children were mocking for baldness was avenged through God by sending a she-bear which tore off almost 42 children. Prophet Hosea warned people of divine anger by addressing with being himself as God that he would destroy them in such furious way as if 'a bear when taken away from her cubs'.

It's note worthy that no testament ever condemned bear as evil, rather their symbolism varied to an honourable level to representing divine fury. It's the mediaeval Church which created this heresy.