Lion

"lion." This apparently Aramaic loan word finds a cognate only in Aramaic. Occurring in all periods of biblical Hebrew, it is attested 83 times.

The word represents a "full-grown lion." This word should be compared to: (1) gûr (Gen 49:9), a suckling lion; (2) shahal (Hos 5:14), a young lion which no longer is a suckling; and (3) kepîr (Judg 14:5), a young lion which no longer is a suckling and which hunts for its food independently. The "lion" was a much-feared beast (Amos 3:12) found mostly in the Trans-jordan (Jer 49:19) and in the mountainous areas (Song 4:8). The various characteristics of the "lion" make it a frequent figure of strength and power (Judg 14:18), of plundering (Gen 49:9), and of malicious scheming (Psa 10:9).

occurs in 2Ti 4:17, probably figurative of the imminent peril of death, the figure being represented by the whole phrase, not by the word "lion" alone; some suppose the reference to be to the lions of the amphitheater; the Greek commentators regarded the "lion" as Nero; others understand it to be Satan. The language not improbably recalls that of Psa 22:21, Dan 6:20. The word is used metaphorically, too, in Rev 5:5, where Christ is called "the Lion of the tribe of Judah." Elsewhere it has the literal meaning, Heb 11:33, 1Pe 5:8, Rev 4:7, Rev 9:8, Rev 9:17, Rev 10:3, Rev 13:2. Taking the OT and NT occurrences the allusions are to the three great features of the "lion," (1) its majesty and strength, indicative of royalty, e.g., Pro 30:30, (2) its courage, e.g., Pro 28:1, (3) its cruelty, e.g., Psa 22:13.