Growls
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In the context of the Bible, the term "growls" is often associated with the sounds made by animals, particularly lions, and is used metaphorically to describe the actions or emotions of people or nations. The imagery of growling is employed to convey a sense of threat, power, or unrest.

Biblical References:

1. Isaiah 5:29 · "Their roaring is like a lion’s; they roar like young lions. They growl as they seize their prey and carry it away, with no one to rescue it."
In this passage, the prophet Isaiah uses the imagery of lions growling to describe the impending judgment and destruction that will come upon the people. The growling signifies the ferocity and inevitability of the coming judgment, emphasizing the power and might of the invading forces.

2. Isaiah 31:4 · "For this is what the LORD has said to me: 'As a lion or young lion growls over its prey—and though a band of shepherds is called out against it, it is not terrified by their shouting or subdued by their noise—so the LORD of Hosts will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights.'"
Here, the growling of a lion over its prey is used to illustrate the LORD's determination and strength in defending Jerusalem. Just as a lion is undeterred by the noise of shepherds, so the LORD will not be swayed by opposition when He comes to protect His people.

3. Jeremiah 51:38 · "They will roar together like young lions; they will growl like lion cubs."
In this verse, the growling of lions is used to depict the Babylonians' fierce and aggressive nature. The imagery suggests a sense of impending danger and the destructive power of the Babylonian forces as they prepare to attack.

Theological Implications:

The use of growling in the Bible often serves as a metaphor for divine judgment or the power of God. It reflects the seriousness of God's actions against sin and rebellion. The growling of lions, in particular, is a powerful image that conveys both the might of God and the fearsome nature of His judgment.

In a broader sense, growling can also symbolize the unrest and turmoil within nations or individuals who are in opposition to God's will. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of straying from God's path and the ultimate authority of God over all creation.

Symbolism and Imagery:

The imagery of growling is rich in symbolism, often representing strength, authority, and the inevitability of divine intervention. In the ancient Near Eastern context, lions were seen as symbols of power and dominance, and their growling was a natural representation of these attributes. The biblical authors used this imagery to communicate the overwhelming power of God and the certainty of His plans.

Practical Application:

For believers, the metaphor of growling serves as a call to recognize the power and authority of God in their lives. It is a reminder to live in obedience to God's commands and to trust in His protection and justice. The imagery encourages believers to remain steadfast in faith, knowing that God is a mighty defender against the forces of evil and chaos.
Strong's Hebrew
5098. naham -- to growl, groan
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to growl, groan NASB Word Usage groan
(2), growl (1), growls (1), roaring (1). mourn, roaring. ...
/hebrew/5098.htm - 5k

1897. hagah -- to moan, growl, utter, speak, muse
... root Definition to moan, growl, utter, speak, muse NASB Word Usage declare (1),
devise (2), devising (1), growls (1), make a sound (1), meditate (5), meditates ...
/hebrew/1897.htm - 6k

Library

The Exile --Continued.
... From Samson's time we read of lions in this district (Judges 14:8, 9), and we may
recognise another image as suggested by their growls heard among the ravines ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/vi the exilecontinued.htm

Faith Stopping the Mouths of Lions
... So, down in the dark there, with the glittering eyeballs of the brutes round him,
and their growls in his ears, the old man sits all night long, with peace in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/faith stopping the mouths of.htm

Three Pictures of one Reality
... Lamb'? The lion that growls, and the mother-bird that hovers"God is like
them both. That is the first picture that is here. The ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/three pictures of one reality.htm

Continued.
... the psalm is like the after brightness; and the tranquil low voice of its last words
is like the songs of the birds again as the departing storm growls low and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/iii early dayscontinued.htm

The Carcass and the Eagles
... Incredulity is no lightning-conductor to keep off the flash, and, listened
to or not, the low growls of the thunder are coming nearer. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the carcass and the eagles.htm

Jesus the Good Shepherd.
... As the ownership of a dog is easily determined by his conduct towards two claimants,
at one of whom he growls and round the other of whom he joyously barks and ...
/.../xxi jesus the good shepherd.htm

San Josef
... The war-yells, or rather growls, of the Paupaus and Yarrabas now became awfully
thrilling, as they helped themselves to cartridges: most of them were ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter ix san josef.htm

Ancient Chaldaea
... Ramman is the thunder which growls in the cloud; Nebo, Merodach, Nera the Great
(Nergal), and Ninib, denote the different phases of the hurricane from the ...
/.../chapter iancient chaldaea.htm

Thesaurus
Growls (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Growls (2 Occurrences). Isaiah 5:29 The sound
of their armies will be like the voice of a lion, and their ...
/g/growls.htm - 7k

Growling (4 Occurrences)

/g/growling.htm - 7k

Grown (77 Occurrences)

/g/grown.htm - 30k

Resources
Who/what is the Lion of the tribe of Judah? | GotQuestions.org

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Concordance
Growls (2 Occurrences)

Isaiah 5:29
The sound of their armies will be like the voice of a lion, and their war-cry like the noise of young lions: with loud cries they will come down on their food and will take it away safely, and there will be no one to take it out of their hands.
(See NAS)

Isaiah 31:4
For thus saith the LORD unto me: Like as the lion, or the young lion, growling over his prey, though a multitude of shepherds be called forth against him, will not be dismayed at their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them; so will the LORD of hosts come down to fight upon mount Zion, and upon the hill thereof.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Growls

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Botany

Growling
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