Dictionary of Biblical Words:
By this term, with the definite article prefixed, God’s word designates the Roman Imperial power with its last head, who will reign over the western pair of the old Roman earth. The word means “a wild beast,” and he will act as one (Rev. 11., 13.), persecuting God’s servants (Rev. 11:7; 15:2) by means of ANTICHRIST,
Concise Bible Dictionary:
Besides the ordinary use of this word—such as distinguishing all animals from man, (Ex. 9:10; Psa. 36:6); and as specifying quadrupeds from fowls and creeping things, (Gen. 8:19)— the word is used symbolically for the ignorance of man (Psa. 73:22); and for his acting as an irrational creature, that is, without conscience before God. The word is beir, translated “brutish” in (Psa. 94:8; Jer. 10:8,14,21; Jer. 51:17). Great worldly powers, cheyva, θηρίον, having different characters according to the symbolic creature specified, but signifying in each case the absence of all moral connection with God: used by Daniel for the four great kingdoms, (Dan. 7:3-23); and in Revelation 13:1 to Revelation 20:10 for the revived Roman empire and for the Antichrist, God’s executive powers in creation and providence, ζῶον, unhappily translated “beasts” in the A.V. in Revelation 4:6-9, where it should be “living creatures,” as in Ezekiel. See LIVING CREATURES.
Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew Words:
Meaning:
(Aramaic) from 2418; an animal