H0738a H0738a
Lion; a large predatory feline symbolizing strength, royalty, courage, and divine judgment
The lion — apex predator of the ancient Near East and one of Scripture's most potent symbols. It appears in vivid narrative (Samson tearing a lion, Judg 14:5–6; David defending his flock, 1 Sam 17:34–37), in royal imagery (carved lions on Solomon's throne, 1 Kgs 10:19–20), and in prophetic metaphor (Balaam's oracle likening Israel to a lion, Num 23:24; 24:9). Spanish 'león,' French 'lion,' and German 'Loewe' all preserve a single referent. This is the shorter Aramaic-influenced form alongside the more common אַרְיֵה, both denoting the same animal throughout.
Senses
1. lion (large predatory feline) — A lion (Panthera leo), whether literal or figurative — the powerful predatory cat used across Scripture as an image of strength, danger, and royal authority. Narrative uses include Samson's encounter (Judg 14:5) and David's defense of his sheep (1 Sam 17:34, 36–37). Figurative uses include Balaam's blessing of Israel as a crouching lion (Num 23:24; 24:9) and decorative lion carvings on Solomon's throne and temple furnishings (1 Kgs 7:29, 36; 10:19–20). All target languages render it with their standard word for lion. 34×
AR["أَرَيُوت", "أُسوداً", "أُسودٌ", "أُسُودًا", "أُسُودٌ", "أُسُودٍ", "الأَسَد", "الأَسَدُ", "الأَسَدِ", "الأُسُودِ", "الْأُسُودِ", "بِجَانِبِ", "وَاقِفَةً"]·ben["-সিংহদের", "সিংহ", "সিংহটিকে", "সিংহদের", "সিংহের", "সিংহেরা"]·DE["Loewe", "Loewen", "[אריות]", "[הארי]", "der-Loewe"]·EN["are-lions", "lions", "the-lion", "the-lions"]·FR["[אריות]", "[הארי]", "des-lions,", "le-lion", "lion", "lions"]·heb["אֲרָיִים", "אֲרָיוֹת", "אריות", "ה-ארי", "ה-אריה"]·HI["शेर", "शेर-के", "शेर-को", "शेरों-का", "शेरों-की", "सिंह", "सिंह-के", "सिंहनियों-के", "सिंहों-का", "सिंहों-के", "सिंहों-ने"]·ID["singa", "singa-betina", "singa-singa", "singa-singa,"]·IT["[אריות]", "[הארי]", "il-leone", "leone", "leoni"]·jav["-singa", "piyambakipun", "singa", "singa-singa"]·KO["그-사자-를", "그-사자가", "그-사자를", "그-사자의", "사자들", "사자들-의", "사자들-이", "사자들을", "사자들의", "사자들이", "사자의"]·PT["dos-leões", "leões", "o-leão"]·RU["лев", "льва", "львиные", "львов", "львы"]·ES["de-leones", "el-león", "leones", "los-leones"]·SW["-simba", "na-mitende", "simba", "wa-simba", "ya-simba"]·TR["aslan", "aslanlar", "aslanlarin", "aslanların", "aslanı", "aslanın"]·urd["-شیر-کے", "شیر", "شیر-", "شیر-کے", "شیروں-نے", "شیروں-کا", "شیروں-کے"]
Num 23:24, Num 24:9, Judg 14:5, Judg 14:18, 1 Sam 17:34, 1 Sam 17:36, 1 Sam 17:37, 2 Sam 1:23, 2 Sam 23:20, 1 Kgs 7:29, 1 Kgs 7:29, 1 Kgs 7:36 (+22 more)
Related Senses
H6629 1. flock, sheep/goats (small livestock) (274×)H1241 1. cattle, herd (bovine livestock) (183×)H0352a 1. ram (male sheep) (156×)H6499 1. young bull, bullock (130×)H3532 1. lamb, young male sheep (105×)H2543 1. donkey (male ass) (96×)H7794 1. ox, bull (79×)H7462b 1. shepherd (agent noun) (76×)H5795 1. she-goat(s), female goat(s) (68×)H7462b 2. to shepherd, tend, pasture (60×)H1581 1. camel (domestic animal) (54×)H0738b 1. lion (46×)G4263 1. sheep (39×)H5739 1. flock or herd of livestock (38×)H5695 1. calf, young bull (35×)H0860 1. female donkey (34×)H3611 1. dog (animal) (32×)H3715a 1. young lion, lion cub (31×)G0721 1. Lamb (29×)H6260 1. male goat, he-goat (28×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† אֲרִי n.m. Pr 28:15 lion (Assyrian aria, Ethiopic አርዌ wild beast, cf. also אַרְיֵה infr.)—אֲ��ִי Am 3:12 + 13 times + 2 S 23:20 Qr (Kt אריה), La 3:10 (id.) + ψ 22:17 (כָּֽאֲרִי for wh. read כארו = כָּרוּ cf. De Pe Che crit. note); pl. אֲרָיִים 1 K 10:20; אֲרָיוֹת (also m.) Zp 3:3 + 16 times (f. Je 51:38? but cf. Ju 14:5);—lion, lit. in narrative Ju 14:5; 1 S 17:34, 36, 37; 2 S 23:20 = 1 Ch…