Middle English Dictionary Entry
bēmoth n.
Entry Info
| Forms | bēmoth n. Also bemouthe, behemot, vehemoth. |
| Etymology | ML Behemoth, from Heb. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Any huge animal; an elephant; fig. the Devil.
Associated quotations
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Job 40.10 : Lo! bemoth [WB(2): behemot; vr. that is, an elifaunt, that signefieth the fend], that I made with thee, hey as an oxe he shal ete.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)18b/a : Also he [Lucifer] hat vehemoth..vehemoth is to menynge an oxe oþir a best. Þe fend desireþ to ete hey as an oxe.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.5863 : Þe olde serpent..Whom Hebrei in her tonge [c]alle Bemowþe [vr. Bemoth], þat doth in latyn plein expresse A beste rude, ful of cursednesse.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)5185 : Hym-self [man] deformyd abhomynabylly, By þe enuye of hys enmy, Clepyd serpent, behemot, or leuyathan.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)4427 : Ysidre in ethemoleger openly tellis þat bemoth in Ebrew ys opunly to say A Roid beste vnreasonable þat no Rule holdes.