Topical Bible: The Lion: Often Carries Its Prey to Its Den

◄ The Lion: Often Carries Its Prey to Its Den ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The lion, a symbol of strength and majesty, is frequently mentioned in the Bible, often as a metaphor for power, danger, and divine judgment. In the ancient Near East, the lion was both feared and revered, embodying the qualities of a formidable predator. One of the notable behaviors of lions, as observed in the wild, is their practice of carrying prey back to their dens. This behavior is reflected in various biblical passages, illustrating the lion's role as a powerful hunter and a symbol of authority.

Biblical References and Symbolism

The lion's practice of carrying its prey to its den is emblematic of its dominance and control over its territory. In the Bible, this behavior is often used metaphorically to describe the actions of powerful individuals or nations. For instance, in Nahum 2:11-12 , the prophet Nahum uses the imagery of a lion's den to describe the once-mighty city of Nineveh: "Where is the lions’ den, the feeding ground of the young lions, where the lion and lioness prowled, and the cubs, with nothing to fear? The lion mauled enough for his cubs and strangled prey for his lionesses; he filled his lairs with prey and his dens with torn flesh."

This passage highlights the lion's role as a provider and protector, drawing a parallel to the Assyrian empire's former strength and its eventual downfall. The imagery of a lion's den filled with prey serves as a metaphor for the accumulation of wealth and power, which ultimately leads to judgment and destruction.

The Lion as a Symbol of Divine Judgment

The lion's fearsome nature is also used to convey the concept of divine judgment. In Hosea 5:14 , God declares, "For I will be like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them to pieces and go away; I will carry them off with no one to rescue them." Here, the lion's predatory behavior is likened to God's impending judgment on the unfaithful nations of Israel and Judah. The imagery of carrying off prey underscores the inevitability and inescapability of divine retribution.

The Lion of Judah

In contrast to the lion as a symbol of judgment, the lion is also associated with the tribe of Judah and the messianic promise. In Genesis 49:9-10 , Jacob blesses his son Judah, saying, "Judah is a young lion—my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion, he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his." This passage foretells the coming of a ruler from the line of Judah, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the "Lion of Judah" (Revelation 5:5).

Conclusion

The lion's behavior of carrying its prey to its den serves as a powerful metaphor throughout the Bible, illustrating themes of strength, authority, judgment, and messianic hope. As a symbol deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, the lion continues to evoke the awe and reverence it commanded in the ancient world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Nahum 2:12
The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with shred.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Faith Stopping the Mouths of Lions
... But weak men are often prone to swift and shallow regrets ... us that the true deliverance
is that which carries us into ... thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder.'. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/faith stopping the mouths of.htm

Letter xiv. To Heliodorus, Monk.
... battering-ram of natural affection which so often shatters faith ... He lieth in wait
secretly as a lion in his ... the devil with a crew of pirates carries irons to ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xiv to heliodorus monk.htm

Letter cxxv. To Rusticus.
... up again was a symbol of the church which carries believers from ... The charges we bring
against them often come home to ... us that it was in front a lion, behind a ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxv to rusticus.htm

One Thing is Needful;
... 5. The man that hath a lion's face Must here give place ... And carries him into his
den, In darkness there to lie ... Thou often didst me tidings bring, How God did me ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/one thing is needful.htm

The Dialogue against the Luciferians.
... For the enemy often comes, and sows tares in the Lord's harvest ... or Daniel in the
lion's den? ... We are both conquerors, and each of us carries off the palm,"you ...
/.../the principal works of st jerome/the dialogue against the luciferians.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... rather than the lion, because the lion avails for ... of priestly cupidity, yet how many
of its precepts are ... and with refinements of delicacy often lacking among ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

The Holy War,
... hath said; there is not a word but carries with it ... voice as great against Diabolus
as when a lion roareth;[45 ... them secure, he said, and said it often, O Mansoul ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy war.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... in the house of the Lord: no lion shall be ... heads of the (seven headed) beast that
carries her, and ... would very willingly see her downfall, how often have they ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... me with fearful dreams, and did terrify me with dreadful visions.'[19] 'I often
wished that ... as much haste as I could to fill my belly with its delicates, lest ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... If he that "goeth about like a roaring lion" comes by ... said, "Every fat[53] must stand
upon its own bottom ... comfortably;[58] also he would be often reading in the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm