Lions

The lion (Hebrew ari, layish, kephir) was native to Palestine into the medieval period and stands in Scripture as the supreme symbol of strength, majesty, and ferocity. Samson killed a lion with his bare hands (Judg. 14:5–6); David slew lions to protect his flock and cited this experience as preparation for facing Goliath (1 Sam. 17:34–36). The lion is the emblem of the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:9) and of the messianic king from that tribe — "the Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Rev. 5:5). God used lions as instruments of judgment (1 Kgs. 13:24; 2 Kgs. 17:25) and of miraculous deliverance in Daniel's den (Dan. 6). Peter warns believers that "your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Pet. 5:8).