Bible Strands
Revelation 13:2
The beast I saw was like a leopard, with the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The apostle John records a vision of a beast rising from the sea, describing its composite animal features and the transfer of authority from the dragon. This occurs during a prophetic revelation detailing the rise of oppressive political and spiritual power.
The words — θηρίον (thērion) literally means "beast" or "wild animal," denoting a creature of violent nature. ὅμοιον (homoion) translates as "like" or "similar to," establishing a comparative description rather than an identical one.
The thread — The beast’s composite features echo Daniel 7:4’s lion, while the dragon’s delegated authority identifies the serpent as Satan in Revelation 12:9. This power transfer contrasts with the devil’s predatory role described in 1 Peter 5:8.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that earthly authority operates only through delegated power from a hostile spiritual source. It requires the reader to distinguish between granted dominion and inherent sovereignty.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
Cross-references
- Daniel 7:4 The first beast was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man and given the mind of a man.
- 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
- Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
- Revelation 17:12 The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive one hour of authority as kings along with the beast.
- Revelation 20:2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.
- Revelation 12:3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: a huge red dragon with seven heads, ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads.
- Revelation 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.
- Revelation 12:15 Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river to overtake the woman and sweep her away in the torrent.
- Revelation 13:4 They worshiped the dragon who had given authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can wage war against it?”
- Revelation 19:20 But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.