Brief Overview of ἄρκτος (G715: árktos)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: árktos

Root Words:

• ἄρκτος (árktos): This noun is derived from the Greek word ἄρκτος, which means “bear” and is related to the constellation Ursa Major.

Primary Meanings:

• Bear: The primary meaning of ἄρκτος is “bear,” referring to the animal.
• Constellation: It also denotes the constellation Ursa Major, which is associated with the bear in Greek mythology.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: BDAG defines ἄρκτος as “bear” and emphasizes its use in referring to the animal and its symbolic representation in the constellation Ursa Major. The term is used in various contexts, including mythology and astronomy.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἄρκτος as meaning “bear,” specifically referring to the animal and the constellation associated with it.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary confirms that ἄρκτος means “bear,” with references to its symbolic use in Greek culture and its association with the constellation.

LSJ: The LSJ Lexicon provides the definition of ἄρκτος as “bear,” noting its usage in both natural and celestial contexts.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s identifies ἄρκτος as “bear,” focusing on its role in denoting the animal and its connection to the constellation.

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Bible Verses:

• Revelation 13:2 (KJV): “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.”
• In this verse, ἄρκτος is used symbolically to describe the feet of a beast.
• Daniel 7:5 (KJV): “And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.”
• Here, ἄρκτος refers to a bear in a vision describing a beast in symbolic terms.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

In classical Greek literature, ἄρκτος is used to refer to the bear and its symbolism:

• Aristotle’s “History of Animals”: The term is used to describe the physical characteristics and behavior of bears.
• Homer’s “Iliad”: Bears are mentioned in the context of Greek mythology and symbolism.
• Ptolemy’s “Almagest”: The constellation Ursa Major is discussed in terms of its association with the bear.

4. Summary:

The term ἄρκτος (G715: árktos) primarily means “bear” and is associated with both the animal and the constellation Ursa Major. The word is used in Greek literature and biblical texts to denote the animal and its symbolic representation. BDAG, Thayer’s, Vines, LSJ, and Strong’s all align in defining ἄρκτος as “bear,” with applications in natural, celestial, and symbolic contexts.