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The Bible contains many references to lions. Daniel miraculously survived a night in a lions' den <Daniel 6>. Samson and David killed lions singlehandedly <Judg. 14:5-6; 1 Sam. 17:34-37>. Kings hunted lions for sport. According to <Ezekiel 19:1-9>, lions were also captured with pits and nets.
The lion's majestic appearance and fearsome roar prompted many comparisons. The prophet Joel declared, "The Lord also will roar from Zion" <Joel 3:16>. The apostle Peter wrote: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion." The prophet Hosea foretold that God would be like a protective lion for the nation of Israel <Hos. 5:14>; (panther, NEB).
Largest and grandest of cats, the lion is filled with power. A swat of his paw can kill. His massive body forces him to rely on strength instead of speed in his hunting.
A lion looks and sounds so imposing that he symbolizes royalty and courage. The highest compliment which biblical writers could give was to indicate that a person had the face or heart of a lion. Ari, the most common term for lion, means "the strong one." In <Isaiah 29:1> Jerusalem is called "Ariel," implying that the capital of the Jewish nation is "the strong [lion-like] city of God." In some translations of the Bible, a young lion is called a cub <Gen. 49:9>, (NIV), while other translations use the word whelp <Gen. 49:9>.
The Israelite tribes of Judah, Dan, and Gad-- and also the nation of Babylon-- adopted the lion as their symbol. Jesus is called "the lion of Judah" <Rev. 5:5>. Isaiah the prophet foretold that at the end of time, the Prince of Peace would tame even the fierce heart of the lion <Is. 9:6-7; 11:1-9>.
(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)
(Copyright (C) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
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