When it comes to symbolism, the Bible is not wanting. There are lots of inferences made to animals (crows, doves, etc) and even physical features. On animals, biblical symbolism about the lion almost always depict its protective or destructive nature. Anywhere the lion is mentioned, there is an immediate feeling of strength, power, and dominion.
However, let us not preempt; instead, let’s jump right in to see the different kinds of lion symbolisms that the Bible brings out. Read on to learn more on what does a lion symbolize in the Bible.
What You'll Learn Today
Power Of Evil
In the book of 1 Peter 5:8, the Bible warns:
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Christians are encouraged to be on guard both physically and more so spiritually because Satan, the enemy, is powerful, strong and capable of causing destruction.
Just like a lion, Satan is prowling in a majestic, determined and stealthy manner. Any chance with such an animal as courageous as a lion leaves you with almost no other alternative than death.
The bible animates the spirit of destruction to bring out its ferocity and to help Christians understand the kind of opposition or enmity to expect and how to take cover or prepare.
Symbolizes The Power And Person Of God
Jesus is referred to as the Lion of Judah. Revelations 5:5:
“Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
God manifests his power in different ways throughout the Bible and the lion has been used severally in a symbolic way. At times Christians struggle to understand the unique attributes of God. Therefore, the Bible uses characters such as the lion to show just how powerful and strong to save God is.
Just as when the lion roars and almost every animal in the forest take cover, so is the power of God. In Hosea 11:10, the Bible records:
“They will follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.”
Symbol Of Protection
Christians are assured of God’s protection even as they live through this difficult and sin-tainted world. The strength to overcome is not an intrinsic value of Christians but rather a quality of God.
As long as Christians find refuge and strength in God, there are assured of his protection. Whether you dream or see the vision of a lion in the Christian context, the first impression this creates is that you are under the surveillance of the heavenly powers and you are guaranteed of safety and protection.
Isaiah 31:4 captures the essence of the protective power of God upon his people. It is likened to that of the lion:
“This is what the LORD says to me: “As a lion growls, a great lion over its prey– and though a whole band of shepherds is called together against it, it is not frightened by their shouts or disturbed by their clamour– so the LORD Almighty will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights.”
Symbol Of Angelic Beings
There is life beyond this world in the realms of heaven. On several occasions, the Bible has given us a rare glimpse of what the heavenly dimension looks like. In particular its inhabitants, the angels and the elders.
In Ezekiel 10:14, the Bible gives us a privileged opening into the heavenly realms and showing us through Ezekiel the form of some of the most treasured celestial beings – the cherubims. The bible says:
“Each of the cherubim had four faces: One face was that of a cherub, the second the face of a human being, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.”
Each of the faces of the cherubim represents a quality of God. The face of a lion represents the power of the angelic beings to attack, destroy and defend. In Psalm 18:10 the Bible illustrates God bowing out of heaven to come and rescue David his servant:
“He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind.”
This is a clear show that the cherubim, which bears the face of a lion, is a being of battle and God’s favourite. It is an assurance that heaven is on our side.
Punishment For Wrongdoers
The power of the lion has been illustrated in different areas of the Bible as the punishment for the wicked or disobedient. In the book of Daniel 6:16, we see the king giving orders for Daniel to be through into the lion’s den.
The intent here is that whoever gets thrown into the den never makes it out. Daniel was being punished for refusing to bow down and worship the king. As God would have of his righteous people, he rescues him from the mouths of the lions.
In Jeremiah 4:7, the Bible says:
“A lion has gone up from his thicket, a destroyer of nations has set out; he has gone out from his place to make your land a waste; your cities will be ruins without inhabitant.”
This is a punishment being meted out to the children of Israel by God because of their disobedience.
Conclusion
There is so much that is said about the lion in the Bible. Depending on the context, it can be a symbol of God’s protection, the ferocious power of evil, a symbol of celestial beings, or a punishment for those who refuse to toe the line.
Therefore, it is important that before you jump into an interpretation, you need to know the circumstances of the symbolism.
If it is in a dream, get to know the scenes before, during and after the instance of the lion. This will help you piece together the events and get the right symbolism.
If you are looking for more articles about bible symbolism, read this one about black panthers in the Bible.
Actually it was during guided meditation last year. Because of the new earth unlike the old earth, which is called 3D or 3D consciousness to now the 5D or 5D consciousness.
When I saw Lion during guided meditation. I use Aaron Doughty guided meditation for shifting to 5D consciousness/dimension, when I saw Lion it brought me to a place where there’s a bed looks gracious, and fancy, I went and laid there. It felt like I was in bliss or heaven it feels heavenly or at home. After doing the meditation I was already in the 5D consciousness/dimension and to stay there I’ll have to wait, and research for information on the new earth, and 5D consciousness/dimension.
What I’ve learned so far is..
To be in 5D dimension/consciousness and beyond you need to care for your body, mind, and spirit well. Physically exercise and nourish body well not other way around, train and care for mind mentally, emotionally, and psychologically. Lastly, care for spiritual hygiene and do guided meditations or your own, raise them frequencies using Tibetan singing bowl, mantra, or high frequency music/vibrations.
I think the most important is actually be less toxic to yourself to change your relationship with yourself, and improve relationships with people around you, especially in real life, and on the internet. I’m in process and thinking of getting cognitive behavioral therapy workbook or book to care for my mind.
what an amazing reply! thanks very much! i had a reading from ellen redd on facebook….she said a lion was my guardian….well what looked like a lion (shaped in stars). not a relative etc….i shall do more lion research / starseed research. totally right about lookin after yourself for the 5d shift.
I had a dream where I was in a situation of being in a flash flood and the water is below me and the helicopter above me is throwing a rope device with a handle for me to grab onto..I tried and missed it and fell into the water. I’m now feeling my body going upward towards the sky, it’s calm, soothing and not frightening whatsoever. I’m now in a foggy yet quiet place to where I look up and I see Jesus and he’s smiling and holding his arms out in a loving and amazing lighted sense. I feel welcomed and happy. I look down and saw a full grown lion walk peaceful next to me with no harm intended. I believe I saw Heaven!