Encyclopedia entry

Lions

Disambiguation

The source enumerates 6 distinct subjects under Lions. Jump to one below, or read in order.

1.*Gor* (i.e., a “suckling”), the lion’s whelp (Gen.
2.*Kephir* (i.e., “shaggy”), the young lion (Judg.
3.*’Ari* (i.e., the “puller” in pieces), denoting the lion in general, without…
4.*Shahal* (the “roarer”), the mature lion (Job 4:10; Ps.
5.*Laish*, so called from its strength and bravery (Job 4:11; Prov.
6.*Labi*, from a root meaning “to roar,” a grown lion or lioness (Gen.

The most powerful of all carnivorous animals. Although not now found in Palestine, they must have been in ancient times very numerous there. They had their lairs in the forests (Jer. 5:6; 12:8; Amos 3:4), in the caves of the mountains (Cant. 4:8; Nah. 2:12), and in the canebrakes on the banks of the Jordan (Jer. 49:19; 50:44; Zech. 11:3). No fewer than at least six different words are used in the Old Testament for the lion.

Lions (1)
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Gor (i.e., a “suckling”), the lion’s whelp (Gen. 49:9; Jer. 51:38, etc.).
Lions (2)
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Kephir (i.e., “shaggy”), the young lion (Judg. 14:5; Job 4:10; Ps. 91:13; 104:21), a term which is also used figuratively of cruel enemies (Ps. 34:10; 35:17; 58:6; Jer. 2:15).
Lions (3)
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’Ari (i.e., the “puller” in pieces), denoting the lion in general, without reference to age or sex (Num. 23:24; 2 Sam. 17:10, etc.).
Lions (4)
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Shahal (the “roarer”), the mature lion (Job 4:10; Ps. 91:13; Prov. 26:13; Hos. 5:14).
Lions (5)
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*Laish*, so called from its strength and bravery (Job 4:11; Prov. 30:30; Isa. 30:6). The capital of Northern Dan received its name from this word.
Lions (6)
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Labi, from a root meaning “to roar,” a grown lion or lioness (Gen. 49:9; Num. 23:24; 24:9; Ezek. 19:2; Nah. 2:11).
The lion of Palestine was properly of the Asiatic variety, distinguished from the African variety, which is larger. Yet it not only attacked flocks in the presence of the shepherd, but also laid waste towns and villages (2 Kings 17:25, 26) and devoured men (1 Kings 13:24, 25). Shepherds sometimes, single-handed, encountered lions and slew them (1 Sam. 17:34, 35; Amos 3:12). Samson seized a young lion with his hands and “rent him as he would have rent a kid” (Judg. 14:5, 6). The strength (Judg. 14:18), courage (2 Sam. 17:10), and ferocity (Gen. 49:9) of the lion were proverbial.

In the Bible

Verses where Lions is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).

1 Chronicles 12:8
Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the wilderness. They were mighty men of valor, trained for battle, experts with the shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and who were as swift as gazelles on the mountains:
1 Kings 7:29
and on the panels between the uprights were lions, oxen, and cherubim. On the uprights was a pedestal above, and below the lions and oxen were wreaths of beveled work.
1 Kings 7:36
He engraved cherubim, lions, and palm trees on the surfaces of the supports and panels, wherever each had space, with wreaths all around.
1 Kings 10:19
The throne had six steps, and its back had a rounded top. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, with a lion standing beside each armrest.
1 Kings 10:20
Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like this had ever been made for any kingdom.
1 Samuel 17:36
Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”

+44 more verses naming Lions.

Lions references

See all 8 +

More illustrations of Lions

Daniel in the Lions' Den
Gustave Doré

Voices on Lions

Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.

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