Lions are mentioned over 130 times in the Bible, often representing strength, power, and ferocity. Here are some key Bible verses about lions:
Lions as symbols of strength
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
This verse compares the devil to a lion, emphasizing his power and predatory nature.
“The righteous are as bold as a lion.” (Proverbs 28:1)
The boldness and bravery of a lion are used to describe the confidence of righteous people.
“He crouches, he lies down like a lion; like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?” (Numbers 24:9)
This describes the strength and intensity of Israel, likening them to the power of a lion.
Jesus as the Lion of Judah
“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.'” (Revelation 5:5)
This prophetic vision depicts Jesus as the lion representing the tribe of Judah, emphasizing his authority and victorious reign.
God protecting his people from lions
“My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” (Daniel 6:22)
Daniel describes how God protected him by closing the mouths of the lions when he was thrown into their den.
“The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” (Psalm 34:10)
This verse contrasts the hunger of lions with how God provides for those who trust in Him.
Lions imagery in prophetic visions
“The first was like a lion and had eagles’ wings. Then as I looked its wings were plucked off, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind of a man was given to it.” (Daniel 7:4)
Daniel’s vision includes a prophetic lion-like figure, often seen as representing the Babylonian empire.
“Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a human being, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle.” (Ezekiel 1:10)
Ezekiel’s heavenly vision includes four living creatures with faces like a lion, ox, eagle and human.
Lions dwelling in wild places
“She lurks in the outskirts like a lion in the bushes waiting to pounce on the unsuspecting traveler, she preys on the unlucky.” (Proverbs 7:12)
This verse warns against the allure of an adulteress woman by comparing her sneakiness to a lion hiding and waiting for prey.
“The lions may roar and growl, yet the teeth of the great lions are broken.” (Job 4:10)
Job describes even the most ferocious lions as having limited power under God’s sovereign control.
Hunting lions and lion imagery
“Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, performed great exploits. He struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.” (1 Chronicles 11:22)
This verse celebrates Benaiah’s bravery in hunting and killing a lion trapped in a pit.
“Like a lion coming up from Jordan’s thickets to a rich pastureland, I will chase Babylon from its land in an instant. Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this? Who is like me and who can challenge me? And what shepherd can stand against me?” (Jeremiah 50:44)
God compares his impending judgment on Babylon to a lion suddenly emerging to chase down its prey.
Lions’ behaviors
“I have become like a lion in the jungle, lying in wait in hiding.” (Jeremiah 4:7)
This verse compares the deception of Israel to a lion’s stealthy hunting techniques.
“My soul is among lions; I lie among ravenous beasts— men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.” (Psalm 57:4)
Being surrounded by enemies is likened to being surrounded by ferocious, hungry lions.
“A voice of lions roaring, of fierce lions growling. They will pounce on the north country.” (Jeremiah 2:15)
The impending invasion of Israel is compared to lions growling and pouncing on prey.
Lions imagery in blessings and curses
“May the Lord tear down their altars and demolish their sacred stones. May they be like a lion, with no place to rest; may pursuers pursue them to their ruin.” (Jeremiah 49:10)
God pronounces judgment using imagery of a restless, hunted lion representing His enemies.
“You are my strength; I wait for you like a lion eager for its prey.” (Psalm 59:9)
This simile depicts the eagerness and anticipation of waiting on God.
“Cursed is he who lies with any animal, and cursed is the woman who gives herself to a male animal; for both shall be put to death. Their bloodguilt is upon them.” (Leviticus 20:16)
This prohibition on bestiality specifies that coupling with an animal like a lion incurs punishment.
Other notable lion references
“I opened my mouth, and I heard a voice speaking to me like the roar of the Lion; He said: ‘Son of man, eat what is before you. Eat this scroll, then go and speak to the house of Israel.'” (Ezekiel 3:1-3)
“Like a lion coming up from Jordan’s thickets to a rich pastureland, I will chase Babylon from its land in an instant. Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this? Who is like me and who can challenge me? And what shepherd can stand against me?” (Jeremiah 50:44)
“When the news reached the king of Babylonia that his army had been defeated at Jerusalem, he called together his advisers and asked them what should be done. The king said to them, “I will tell you what the king of Assyria did to all the nations he crushed. He would impale the men on poles and flay their skin from their bodies. Then I will treat Jerusalem the same way.” (2 Chronicles 32:21)
“After this, during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, there was a man named Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the others living in Samaria who wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes. The letter was written in Aramaic and was translated for the king. Rehum the governor and Shimshai the court secretary wrote the letter, telling King Artaxerxes about the situation in Jerusalem.” (Ezra 4:7)
“I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body gleamed like beryl, his face flashed like lightning, his eyes flamed like torches, his arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude.” (Daniel 10:5-6)