A term applied by the Biblical writers to men whose disposition or spirit was like that of beasts. It is used in close conjunction with "foolish" (Jeremiah 10:8; Psalms 49:10, 94:8), and, as indicated in the Hebrew, may mean "stupid." In a few instances it seems to indicate that the persons under consideration are both ignorant and reckless (Jeremiah 10:14, 51:17; Psalms 63:22, 92:6). Again, brutishness, or beastlikeness, implies not a passive but an actively dangerous quality of character (Ezekiel 21:31). The man who is persistently ignorant is also called "brutish" (Proverbs 12:1). The prophets who did not call upon the Lord, to inquire of Him, were included in the same category (compare Jeremiah 10:21). To sum up, "brutishness" in the Old Testament is descriptive of a foolish, stupid, recklessly and persistently ignorant, and dangerous man.