The Lion: Conceals Itself by Day
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The lion, a majestic and powerful creature, is frequently mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing strength, courage, and at times, danger. In the context of its behavior, the lion's tendency to conceal itself by day is a noteworthy aspect that finds resonance in the Scriptures.

Biblical References and Symbolism

The lion's behavior of hiding during the day is alluded to in various biblical passages. In Job 38:39-40, God challenges Job with questions about the natural world, including the habits of lions: "Can you hunt the prey for the lioness or satisfy the hunger of young lions when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in the thicket?" . This passage highlights the lion's practice of resting and concealing itself during daylight hours, waiting for the opportune moment to hunt.

The lion's concealment is emblematic of its strategic and patient nature. In the wild, lions often rest during the heat of the day, conserving energy for hunting at dusk or dawn when their prey is more active. This behavior is mirrored in the biblical metaphor of the lion as a creature of both stealth and power.

Spiritual Implications

In a spiritual context, the lion's concealment can be seen as a metaphor for hidden strength and the unseen presence of God. Just as the lion waits patiently, believers are encouraged to trust in God's timing and unseen work in their lives. The lion's ability to remain hidden yet powerful serves as a reminder of the divine attributes of omnipotence and omnipresence.

The lion is also used as a symbol of Christ, the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Revelation 5:5), representing His kingly authority and victorious nature. The imagery of the lion's concealment can be interpreted as a reflection of Christ's humility and the mystery of His divine nature, which was not fully revealed until the appointed time.

Warnings and Admonitions

Conversely, the lion's stealth is also used as a warning against spiritual complacency. In 1 Peter 5:8, believers are cautioned: "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" . Here, the lion's ability to conceal itself and strike unexpectedly serves as a metaphor for the devil's deceptive tactics. Christians are urged to remain vigilant and spiritually alert, recognizing that evil can be hidden and strike when least expected.

Conclusion

The lion's behavior of concealing itself by day is rich with biblical symbolism and spiritual lessons. It serves as a powerful reminder of both the strength and patience required in the life of faith, as well as the need for vigilance against spiritual threats. Through the imagery of the lion, Scripture provides profound insights into the nature of God, the character of Christ, and the realities of spiritual warfare.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 104:22
The sun rises, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Concerning Light, Fire, the Luminaries, Sun, Moon and Stars.
... For reason itself teaches us the danger of sudden changes. ... or even a small hill or
a wall quite conceals it ... of Mercury: the Crab, of the Moon: the Lion, of the ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter vii concerning light fire the.htm

Against vigilantius.
... the live dog be better than Paul the dead lion? ... Scorpiacum, [4974] because, as the
scorpion bends itself like a ... and though in your case he conceals his wounds ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against vigilantius.htm

John Chapter i. 34-51
... not depart from the Lamb, and be devoured by the lion. ... When a man conceals one thing
in his heart, and ... Himself to be touched, that the touch itself might heal. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate vii john chapter i.htm

John and the Gospel of Love.
... The highest art conceals art. ... The central truth of John and the central fact in
Christianity itself is the incarnation of ... 841] He is the conquering Lion of the ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section72 john and the gospel.htm

Christianity Misunderstood by Believers.
... Mount or the Creed"The Orthodox Church Conceals from the ... of God and united in love,
and the lion will lie ... does not exactly the same thing show itself even in ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter iii christianity misunderstood by.htm

Some Hymns and Hymn-Books
... A Lion is in fight ... could not indeed be lost permanently unless Christian emotion
was itself to perish ... It is the art that conceals art; but I believe the elements ...
/.../manning/the hymns of wesley and watts five papers/some hymns and hymn-books.htm

The Apology of Aristides the Philosopher. Translated from the ...
... adder, and some the asp, and others the lion; and others ... it is a united body, wholly
agrees with itself; even so ... just as he who finds a treasure and conceals it ...
/.../kay/the apology of aristides the philosopher/the apology of aristides the.htm

The Glorious Master and the Swooning Disciple
... the glory of God's grace that he conceals his majesty ... of self-glory and strength,
but almost of life itself. ... shall bring thee honey; out of the lion, as Samson ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the glorious master and the.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... and malice, against godliness and piety itself, who can ... the righteous is bold as
a lion." Wicked men ... fellow receiver with a thief, or conceals such offenders ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

Homilies on the Epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.
... in the Resurrection, [3588]491; called a lion, [3589]514 ... 415; humility of,
[3637]416; always conceals his own ... Wealth, no power of itself, [3977]431; folly of ...
/.../homilies on the epistles to.htm

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

How should we understand the Lion and the Lamb passage? | GotQuestions.org

What are the Christian themes in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe? | GotQuestions.org

Lion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Lion

Lion of a Ruler's Anger

Lion of Divine Judgments

Lion of Satan

Lion used for the Torture of Criminals

Lion: An Unnamed Person Killed By

Lion: Disobedient Prophet Killed By

Lion: Fierceness of

Lion: Instincts of, in Taking Prey

Lion: Kept in Captivity

Lion: Killed by Benaiah

Lion: Killed by David

Lion: Killed by Saints

Lion: Killed by Samson

Lion: King of Beasts

Lion: Lair of, in the Jungles

Lion: Parable of

Lion: Proverb of

Lion: Samson's Riddle Concerning

Lion: Sent As Judgment Upon the Samaritans

Lion: Strength of

Lion: Symbolical

Lion: Symbolical: Margin)

Lion: The Bases in the Temple Ornamented by Mouldings of

Lion: The Roaring of

Lion: Twelve Statues of, on the Stairs Leading to Solomon's Throne

The Lion of Boldness of Saints

The Lion of Brave Men

The Lion of Christ

The Lion of Cruel and Powerful Enemies

The Lion of God in Executing Judgments

The Lion of God in Protecting his Church

The Lion of Imaginary Fears of the Slothful

The Lion of Israel

The Lion of Persecutors

The Lion of the Devil

The Lion of the Tribe of Gad

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah

The Lion: (Roaring of) a King's Wrath

The Lion: (Tamed) the Natural Man Subdued by Grace

The Lion: A Swarm of Bees Found in the Carcass of, by Samson

The Lion: Active

The Lion: Attacks and Destroys Men

The Lion: Attacks the Sheepfolds

The Lion: Canaan Infested By

The Lion: Conceals Itself by Day

The Lion: Courageous

The Lion: Criminals often Thrown To

The Lion: Disobedient Prophet Slain By

The Lion: Fearless Even of Man

The Lion: Fierce

The Lion: God Provides For

The Lion: God's Power Exhibited in Restraining

The Lion: Greatness of Its Teeth Alluded To

The Lion: Hunting of, Alluded To

The Lion: Inhabits: Deserts

The Lion: Inhabits: Forests

The Lion: Inhabits: Mountains

The Lion: Inhabits: Thickets

The Lion: Lurks for Its Prey

The Lion: Majestic in Movement

The Lion: Often Carries Its Prey to Its Den

The Lion: Often Perishes for Lack of Food

The Lion: Rends Its Prey

The Lion: Roars when Seeking Prey

The Lion: Slain by Benaiah

The Lion: Slain by David

The Lion: Slain by Samson

The Lion: Superior in Strength

The Lion: Universal Terror Caused by Roaring of

The Lion: Voracious

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Is'the (1 Occurrence)

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Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

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Vicinity (18 Occurrences)

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Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)

24000 (10 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Vanished (13 Occurrences)

Verdict (7 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Knop (4 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

Zephani'ah (10 Occurrences)

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)

Koz (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

The Lion: Canaan Infested By
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