Topical Bible: The Lion: Rends Its Prey

◄ The Lion: Rends Its Prey ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the lion is often depicted as a powerful and fearsome creature, symbolizing strength, authority, and sometimes judgment. The imagery of a lion rending its prey is used throughout Scripture to convey the ferocity and decisiveness of divine judgment, as well as the might of earthly rulers and adversaries.

Symbol of Strength and Authority

The lion is frequently associated with strength and majesty. In the Book of Proverbs, the lion is described as "mighty among beasts and retreats before nothing" (Proverbs 30:30). This portrayal underscores the lion's role as a symbol of unchallenged power and dominance, characteristics that are often attributed to God and His anointed leaders.

Divine Judgment

The imagery of a lion rending its prey is vividly used to describe the execution of divine judgment. In Hosea 5:14, God declares, "For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I will tear them to pieces and go away; I will carry them off with no one to rescue them" . Here, the lion's act of tearing its prey symbolizes the inescapable and overwhelming nature of God's judgment upon His people for their unfaithfulness.

Similarly, in Amos 3:12, the prophet speaks of the remnant of Israel being saved from destruction, likening it to a shepherd rescuing "two legs or a piece of an ear from the mouth of the lion" . This imagery highlights the severity of the judgment that leaves only a small remnant intact.

Earthly Rulers and Adversaries

The lion's predatory nature is also used to describe the actions of earthly rulers and adversaries. In Ezekiel 19:6, the prophet laments over the princes of Israel, saying, "He prowled among the lions, and he became a young lion. He learned to tear his prey; he devoured men" . This passage illustrates how leaders, like lions, can become destructive forces, preying upon the people they are meant to protect.

The Lion of Judah

In contrast to the destructive imagery, the lion is also a symbol of hope and deliverance. The title "Lion of Judah" is ascribed to Jesus Christ, representing His ultimate authority and victory. Revelation 5:5 proclaims, "Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals" . Here, the lion signifies Christ's power to overcome sin and death, offering salvation to His people.

Conclusion

The lion, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a multifaceted symbol. It represents both the fearsome nature of divine judgment and the ultimate authority and victory of Christ. Through the imagery of the lion rending its prey, Scripture communicates the themes of power, justice, and redemption, reminding believers of the might and sovereignty of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 33:20
And of Gad he said, Blessed be he that enlarges Gad: he dwells as a lion, and tears the arm with the crown of the head.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 7:2
Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christ Triumphant
... upon his pale horse,and his cruel dart rends its way through ... It had been Satan's
armour bearer, but its shield was ... The lion may howl, but rend you in pieces he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/christ triumphant.htm

Striking Similes
... A book that rends and tears like a broken saw. ... Like a caged lion shaking the bars
of his prison. ... like a snarling beast baulked of its prey [baulked = checked ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section viii striking similes.htm

Chapter xlix
... part of the tribes: of Judah the lion, of Issachar ... tribe of Ephraim that one of its
sons, Jeroboam ... The original says, "Benjamin, a wolf, rends prey." We prefer ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlix.htm

Concerning Peaceableness
... The lion has his paw, the boar his tusk, the bee ... It is the bramble that rends and
tears whatever is near it ... in an eclipse than when it shines in its full lustre ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/18 concerning peaceableness.htm

False Profession.
... mind and conscience, striking them with its pains, casting ... creature is afflicted
and distressed, rends his clothes ... Goliath, the remembrance of the lion and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xx false profession.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... cast upon him, does not trouble himself, in the answer which he is compelled to
make, about the elegance and neat turns of his reply, but only about its truth. ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /