Topical Encyclopedia The leopard, a large and powerful feline, is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of swiftness, stealth, and ferocity. Its characteristics are often used metaphorically to convey the nature of certain nations, individuals, or divine judgments.In the prophetic literature of the Old Testament, the leopard's fierceness is vividly depicted. The prophet Jeremiah uses the imagery of a leopard to describe the relentless pursuit of judgment upon the people of Judah. In Jeremiah 5:6 , it is written: "Therefore a lion from the forest will strike them down, a wolf of the desert will ravage them, a leopard will watch over their cities. Everyone who ventures out will be torn to pieces, because their transgressions are many, their apostasies are numerous." Here, the leopard's watchful and predatory nature underscores the inevitability and severity of divine retribution. Similarly, the prophet Hosea employs the leopard's ferocity to illustrate the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness. Hosea 13:7 states: "So I will pounce on them like a lion; like a leopard on the path I will lurk." This passage highlights the sudden and unexpected nature of God's judgment, akin to a leopard's ambush. In the apocalyptic visions of Daniel, the leopard is used to symbolize a swift and powerful kingdom. Daniel 7:6 describes a beast "like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back. It had four heads, and it was given authority to rule." The leopard's speed and authority in this vision are indicative of the rapid conquests and dominion of the kingdom it represents. The New Testament also alludes to the leopard's characteristics in the book of Revelation. In Revelation 13:2 , the beast rising from the sea is described as having "the body of a leopard, the feet of a bear, and the mouth of a lion." This composite creature embodies the ferocity and power of the empires it symbolizes, with the leopard's body suggesting agility and lethal prowess. Throughout Scripture, the leopard serves as a powerful metaphor for the fierce and often destructive nature of both human and divine actions. Its presence in biblical texts underscores themes of judgment, power, and the consequences of sin, reflecting the broader narrative of God's interaction with humanity. Nave's Topical Index Jeremiah 5:6Why a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goes out there shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased. Nave's Topical Index Jeremiah 13:23 Hosea 13:7 Habakkuk 1:8 Library That Evening Vergilius Went to Feast with the Young Herodian ... Concerning Peaceableness Concerning Persecution The General Deliverance The New Creation The New Heart His Future Work Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount The Mystery A Clearing-Up Storm in the Realm Resources How should we understand the Lion and the Lamb passage? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of lions in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Why do we need a Savior? | GotQuestions.org Leopard: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |