בְּהֵמָה (be.he.mah)
be.he.mah
animal
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 147 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun behemah refers to large land animals, particularly quadrupeds, encompassing both wild beasts and domestic livestock. In Genesis 1:24, it is used alongside other terms to describe the living creatures created on the sixth day, establishing a broad category for all non-human, non-reptilian, and non-avian life forms that move upon the earth.
Etymologically, the word likely derives from a root meaning "to be mute," highlighting the distinction between humans, who possess speech, and these animals, which do not. This fundamental difference is central to its usage; for instance, in Genesis 3:14, God addresses the serpent directly, yet behemah remains silent, underscoring its nature as a creature without the gift of language.
The term frequently shifts focus depending on context. In pastoral settings, such as Leviticus 25:7, it denotes cattle and livestock essential for human survival and worship. Conversely, in poetic or prophetic texts like Habakkuk 2:17, it can refer to wild beasts, emphasizing their raw, untamed power in contrast to the order of civilization.
Translators often render behemah as "beast" or "cattle," capturing its dual role in Scripture. Whether describing the animals Noah gathered in the ark (Genesis 7:21) or the livestock that fill the earth, the word consistently points to the vast, silent majority of God’s creation that operates by instinct rather than reason.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word behemah covers the broad spectrum of land animals, from domestic cattle to wild beasts. It reminds us that God created a world teeming with life beyond our own. In Genesis 1:24, this term groups together livestock and wild creatures, showing that every creature has its place in the order He designed. We are not alone in creation; we share the earth with a vast community of living beings.
These animals do not speak or reason like humans, yet they reflect God’s care. In Genesis 7:21, behemah appears alongside birds and creeping things as all life that perished in the flood. This highlights our dependence on God for preservation. Even when we feel isolated, we are part of a larger story where God sustains every creature.
Understanding this word helps us see creation as a gift. It invites gratitude for the natural world and humility before its Creator. We can trust that God cares for all His creatures, including those we may not always notice.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 147 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ livestock18×
- the/ animal[s]11×
- livestock11×
- animal10×
- livestock/ your7×
- an animal7×
- and/ among the/ livestock6×
- the/ animal5×
- animal[s]5×
- animals4×
- and/ the/ livestock4×
- and/ for/ [the] animal[s] of4×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּהֵמָ֑ה9×
- הַ/בְּהֵמָה֙8×
- הַ/בְּהֵמָ֔ה8×
- הַ/בְּהֵמָ֖ה7×
- הַ/בְּהֵמָ֗ה5×
- בְּהֵמָֽה\׃5×
- וּ/לְ/בֶהֱמַ֥ת4×
- הַ/בְּהֵמָ֑ה4×
- בְּהֵמָ֖ה4×
- וּ/בַ/בְּהֵמָ֑ה3×
- וְ/הַ/בְּהֵמָ֜ה3×
- בַּ/בְּהֵמָ֑ה3×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 1:24
God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures after their kind, livestock, creeping things, and animals of the earth after their kind;” and it was so.
This verse establishes behemah as a primary category of land creatures created on the sixth day, grouping livestock and wild beasts together in God's good design.
-
Genesis 7:21
All flesh died that moved on the earth, including birds, livestock, animals, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every man.
Here the term encompasses all non-human life that perished in the flood, emphasizing the universality of judgment and the fragility of earthly life.
-
Genesis 8:1
God remembered Noah, all the animals, and all the livestock that were with him in the ship; and God made a wind to pass over the earth. The waters subsided.
God remembers Noah and the behemah with him in the ark, showing His covenant faithfulness extends to preserving animal life alongside humanity.
-
Exodus 9:25
The hail struck throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and animal; and the hail struck every herb of the field, and broke every tree of the field.
The hail strikes man and behemah alike in Egypt, illustrating that divine judgment often affects both humans and their livestock without distinction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does behemah mean in the Bible?
How is behemah different from chayyah?
Why is behemah important in the flood story?
Every Occurrence (147 verses across 25 books)
Genesis 19 verses
God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures after their kind, livestock, creeping things, and animals of the…
Genesis 1:25God made the animals of the earth after their kind, and the livestock after their kind, and everything that creeps on…
Genesis 1:26God said, “Let’s make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over…
Genesis 2:20The man gave names to all livestock, and to the birds of the sky, and to every animal of the field; but for man there…
Genesis 3:14Yahweh God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed above all livestock, and above every animal…
Genesis 6:7Yahweh said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the surface of the ground—man, along with animals, creeping…
Genesis 6:20Of the birds after their kind, of the livestock after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind,…
Genesis 7:2You shall take seven pairs of every clean animal with you, the male and his female. Of the animals that are not clean,…
Genesis 7:8Clean animals, unclean animals, birds, and everything that creeps on the ground
Genesis 7:14they, and every animal after its kind, all the livestock after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the…
Genesis 7:21All flesh died that moved on the earth, including birds, livestock, animals, every creeping thing that creeps on the…
Genesis 7:23Every living thing was destroyed that was on the surface of the ground, including man, livestock, creeping things, and…
Genesis 8:1God remembered Noah, all the animals, and all the livestock that were with him in the ship; and God made a wind to pass…
Genesis 8:17Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh, including birds, livestock, and every creeping…
Genesis 8:20Noah built an altar to Yahweh, and took of every clean animal, and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on…
Genesis 9:10and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the livestock, and every animal of the earth with you, of…
Genesis 34:23Won’t their livestock and their possessions and all their animals be ours? Only let’s give our consent to them, and…
Genesis 36:6Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, with his livestock, all his…
Genesis 47:18When that year was ended, they came to him the second year, and said to him, “We will not hide from my lord how our…