Bible Study Tools
Language Tools
Historical Writings
Pastoral Resources
Personal Resources
Site Resources
Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, December 22nd, 2024
the Fourth Week of Advent
Attention!
StudyLight.org has pledged to help build churches in Uganda. Help us with that pledge and support pastors in the heart of Africa.
Click here to join the effort!
Home » Bible Dictionaries » Easton's Bible Dictionary » Letter L

Bible Dictionaries
Lions

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Search for…
Enter query below:
or
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Prev Entry
Lintel
Next Entry
Lip
Resource Toolbox
Print Article
Additional Links
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 (Jeremiah 5:6; 12:8; Amos 3:4 ), in the caves of the mountains (Song of Solomon 4:8; Nahum 2:12 ), and in the canebrakes on the banks of the Jordan (Jeremiah 49:19; 50:44; Zechariah 11:3 ).

No fewer than at least six different words are used in the Old Testament for the lion.

  • Gor (I.e., a "suckling"), the lion's whelp ( Genesis 49:9; Jeremiah 51:38 , etc.).
  • Kephir (I.e., "shaggy"), the young lion ( Judges 14:5; Job 4:10; Psalm 91:13; 104:21 ), a term which is also used figuratively of cruel enemies (Psalm 34:10; 35:17; 58:6; Jeremiah 2:15 ).
  • 'Ari (I.e., the "puller" in pieces), denoting the lion in general, without reference to age or sex ( Numbers 23:24; 2 Samuel 17:10 , etc.).
  • Shahal (The "roarer"), the mature lion ( Job 4:10; Psalm 91:13; Proverbs 26:13; Hosea 5:14 ).
  • Laish , So called from its strength and bravery ( Job 4:11; Proverbs 30:30; Isaiah 30:6 ). The capital of Northern Dan received its name from this word.
  • Labi , From a root meaning "to roar," a grown lion or lioness ( Genesis 49:9; Numbers 23:24; 24:9; Ezekiel 19:2; Nahum 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 Samuel 17:34,35; Amos 3:12 ). Samson seized a young lion with his hands and "rent him as he would have rent a kid" (Judges 14:5,6 ). The strength (Judges 14:18 ), courage (2 Samuel 17:10 ), and ferocity (Genesis 49:9 ) of the lion were proverbial.

    Copyright Statement
    These dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.
    Bibliography Information
    Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Lions'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ebd/​l/lions.html. 1897.
    • terms of use • privacy policy • • rights and permissions • contact sl • about sl • link to sl
    To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient contact form
    StudyLight.org © 2001-2022
    Powered by Lightspeed Technology
     
    adsfree-icon
    Ads FreeProfile