Lion

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 8
There are several Hebrew words translated “lion,” the principal of which is ari, from “to tear.” The lion is declared to be the “strongest among beasts and turneth not away for any” (Prov. 30:3030A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; (Proverbs 30:30)). This shows that the lion may be taken as a symbol of “strength,” and as such the Lord is called the lion of the tribe of Judah, to which is attached the symbol of royalty, for Judah held the scepter (Gen. 49:9-109Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? 10The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. (Genesis 49:9‑10); Rev. 5:55And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. (Revelation 5:5)). Satan also has a kingdom and is called a strong one (Matt. 12:2626And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? (Matthew 12:26)); and he is the “lion” seeking whom he may devour. He is compared to a “roaring lion,” because he is like that animal, which roars when it is sure of its prey (compare Amos 3:44Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing? (Amos 3:4)). The Lord knows how to deliver His servants even out of the mouth of the lion.