The Lion

Illustration of The Lion

The lion is Scripture's emblem of strength, royalty, and danger. Judah is called a lion's whelp in Jacob's blessing, and Christ is the conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah. Yet the same image warns of the devil, who 'as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.' Daniel was shut in with lions and preserved, and Samson and David both overcame them - the lion embodying both peril and God-given power.

0:00
Strongest connections in Scripture
Revelation 5

Key Passages

The Lion of Judah

Revelation 5:1-5

The Lion of the tribe of Judah has prevailed to open the sealed scroll of history.

A1nd I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 And 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.

Explore Related

Characters

Daniel Daniel was a young Israelite taken captive to Babylon in the sixth century BC, where he rose to prominenceโ€ฆ Samson Samson served as a judge and leader of Israel during the period of Philistine oppression, when the nationโ€ฆ David David began his life as a humble shepherd boy in Bethlehem before being anointed by the prophet Samuel toโ€ฆ Judah Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, who rose to prominence among his brothers by advocating forโ€ฆ Jesus Jesus is portrayed in the Bible as the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah whose coming fulfilled Oldโ€ฆ

Did You Know?

1

Christ is the 'Lion of Judah'; Satan prowls 'as a roaring lion' - the same image, opposite meanings.

2

Samson, David, and Benaiah all killed lions with their bare hands.

3

Daniel survived a whole night in a den of them.

4

Solomon's throne was flanked by twelve carved lions, one per step.