πάρδᾰλις G3917
leopard, panther, large spotted feline predator
Denoting the leopard (Panthera pardus), a swift and fierce predator known throughout the ancient Near East. Revelation 13:2 uses it in apocalyptic imagery—the beast from the sea was like a leopard, with bear's feet and lion's mouth. The composite creature draws on Daniel 7's sequence of beasts. The leopard contributes stealth, speed, and spotted beauty to this symbol of terrifying empire. Ancient audiences knew leopards as lethal hunters, making them apt symbols for predatory political power.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Revelation 13:2 describes the beast as resembling 'a leopard' (παρδάλει). The translation evidence (English 'leopard', Spanish 'leopardo', French 'Panther', German 'Panther') identifies the spotted cat. John's apocalyptic hybrid combines traits from Daniel's beasts: leopard's body for speed and stealth, bear's feet for crushing power, lion's mouth for devouring authority. The fusion creates an image of comprehensive predatory might arrayed against God's people. 1×
AR["بِنَمِرٍ"]·ben["চিতাবাঘের"]·DE["Panther"]·EN["a-leopard"]·FR["Panther"]·heb["לְנָמֵר"]·HI["चीते"]·ID["macan-tutul,"]·IT["pardalei"]·jav["macan-tutul"]·KO["표범-에게"]·PT["a-leopardo"]·RU["барсу,"]·ES["a-leopardo"]·SW["chui"]·TR["pars'a"]·urd["چیتے-سے"]
Related Senses
H6629 1. flock, sheep/goats (small livestock) (274×)H1241 1. cattle, herd (bovine livestock) (183×)H0352a 1. ram (male sheep) (156×)H6499 1. young bull, bullock (130×)H3532 1. lamb, young male sheep (105×)H2543 1. donkey (male ass) (96×)H7794 1. ox, bull (79×)H7462b 1. shepherd (agent noun) (76×)H5795 1. she-goat(s), female goat(s) (68×)H7462b 2. to shepherd, tend, pasture (60×)H1581 1. camel (domestic animal) (54×)H0738b 1. lion (46×)G4263 1. sheep (39×)H5739 1. flock or herd of livestock (38×)H5695 1. calf, young bull (35×)H0738a 1. lion (large predatory feline) (34×)H0860 1. female donkey (34×)H3611 1. dog (animal) (32×)H3715a 1. young lion, lion cub (31×)G0721 1. Lamb (29×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
πάρδᾰλις or πόρδᾰλις (see. below), ἡ, genitive εως, Epic dialect and Ionic dialect ιος Refs 8th c.BC+; dative ει Refs 5th c.BC+:— leopard, Felis pardus, Refs 8th c.BC+; but πόρδαλις was used of the animal, παρδαλέη of its skin, accusative to Refs 8th c.BC+; πάρδ- is found in Refs 5th c.BC+; πόρδ- in Refs 5th c.BC+ __II a ravenous sea-fish, Refs 2nd c.AD+ __III ={πάρδαλος}Refs 5th c.AD+ __IV name of a plaster, Refs 6th c.AD+