Lexical Summary shachal: Lion Original Word: שַׁחַל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fierce lion From an unused root probably meaning to roar; a lion (from his characteristic roar) -- (fierce) lion. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition a lion NASB Translation lion (7). Brown-Driver-Briggs שַׁ֫חַל noun masculine lion (poetry); — absolute ׳שׁ Hosea 5:14 +, שָׁ֑חַל Job 4:10 +; — lion, simile of ׳י, toward Israel Hosea 5:14 ("" כְּפִיר), Hosea 13:7 ("" נָמֵר); of guilty men Job 4:10 ("" אַרְיֵה, כְּפִירִים); figurative of foes Psalm 91:13 ("" כְּפִיר) lion, as hunted Psalm 10:16 (in simile); literal Job 28:8; Proverbs 26:13. Topical Lexicon Zoological and Ancient Near Eastern Context “Shachal” designates a full-grown, powerfully built lion noted for stalking and overpowering its prey. In the Ancient Near East, such a creature embodied untamed strength, terror in ambush, and regal authority. Scripture employs this image to communicate truths about both human and divine agency—whether the ruthless oppression of the wicked or the uncompromising judgments of the covenant God. Occurrences in the Old Testament Canon 1. Job 4:10 These seven references spread across wisdom writings, poetry, and prophetic oracles, giving “shachal” a nuanced role in varying theological settings. Ferocity and Divine Judgment In Hosea, the LORD appropriates the imagery of “shachal” to depict His own impending discipline upon an unrepentant nation: The prophet’s language underscores the certainty, suddenness, and totality of covenant chastening. God is not merely compared to a lion; He adopts the posture of the fiercest lion imaginable, ensuring His people grasp the gravity of their rebellion. Wisdom Literature: Vulnerability and Mystery Job repeatedly draws upon “shachal” to convey vulnerability in the face of forces beyond human control. Eliphaz observes, “The lion may roar and the fierce lion may growl, yet the teeth of the young lions are broken” (Job 4:10), hinting that even the mightiest predator cannot withstand divine sovereignty. Job 28:8 expands this meditation by noting that the proud lion has never walked the hidden paths of wisdom, declaring that such ultimate understanding remains God’s alone. Everyday Fears and Excuses Proverbs 26:13 lampoons sloth with comic exaggeration: “The slacker says, ‘A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!’”. The imagined presence of the “shachal” becomes the lazy person’s means of justifying inactivity. The proverbial usage illustrates how fear—rational or otherwise—can paralyze obedience, contrasting sharply with the courage God commands. Protection and Triumph for the Faithful Psalm 91:13 offers a counterbalance to the threatening roar: “You will tread on the lion and cobra; you will trample the young lion and the serpent.”. Here “shachal” represents real danger conquered through covenant trust. The verse anticipates victory over the fiercest earthly peril and, by extension, the ultimate enemy of God’s people. Intertextual Resonance Though other Hebrew terms for lion appear (’aryēh, lavi, kĕphîr), “shachal” consistently focuses on ferocity in ambush. This nuance links the word naturally with New Testament warnings—“Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8)—and with the victorious declaration that the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” has triumphed (Revelation 5:5). The former cautions against complacency; the latter affirms Christ’s supremacy over every threat signified by the lion’s image. Pastoral and Ministry Applications • Call to Repentance: Hosea’s lion urges contemporary believers to heed divine warnings before judgment overtakes. Summary “Shachal” portrays the lion at its most formidable, serving Scripture as a vivid metaphor for divine power, impending judgment, human frailty, and eventual triumph through faith. Recognizing its layered usage deepens reverence for God’s holiness, heightens alertness to spiritual danger, and strengthens assurance in the ultimate victory secured for all who trust in Him. Forms and Transliterations כַּשַּׁ֣חַל כַשַּׁ֙חַל֙ כשחל שַׁ֣חַל שָֽׁחַל׃ שָׁ֑חַל שחל שחל׃ chashShachal kaš·ša·ḥal ḵaš·ša·ḥal kashShachal kaššaḥal ḵaššaḥal ša·ḥal šā·ḥal šaḥal šāḥal ShachalLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 4:10 HEB: אַ֭רְיֵה וְק֣וֹל שָׁ֑חַל וְשִׁנֵּ֖י כְפִירִ֣ים NAS: and the voice of the [fierce] lion, And the teeth KJV: and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth INT: of the lion and the voice of the lion and the teeth of the young Job 10:16 Job 28:8 Psalm 91:13 Proverbs 26:13 Hosea 5:14 Hosea 13:7 7 Occurrences |
    |