This Aramaic word for bear appears in Daniel's vision of the four beasts, where the second beast resembles a bear. In ancient Near Eastern symbolism, the bear represented savage strength and voracity. Daniel's bear had three ribs in its mouth and was told to 'devour much flesh,' suggesting a empire's violent conquest. The Syrian brown bear, once common in the region, was known for its power and unpredictability—fitting imagery for imperial aggression.