A large lion fills the screen and roars. The lion Aslan bounds to save lots of, and his deep voice speaks with gentleness and authority.
When C.S. Lewis introduced this character in his Narnia books, he pulled from a Christian image hundreds of years old: the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Mentioned in Scripture and connected with Christianity for 2 thousand years, the Lion of Judah teaches us about God throughout the redemptive story He’s telling.
For Christians, what does the Lion of Judah mean?
What is the Significance of the Phrase “the Lion of Judah”?
“The Lion of Judah” first appears in Genesis 49:9, although not word for word. Jacob blesses all of his sons, the boys from whom come the twelve tribes of Israel, and he refers to Judah as a “lion’s cub.” Of all of the blessings, Judah’s is the longest and most detailed (49:8-12). Jacob’s blessing includes references to Israel’s current kingship in Judah, ultimately pointing to David and the Messiah, Jesus.
Thousands of years later, John writes an apocalyptic prophecy while exiled on the Isle of Patmos. Called the Revelation of Jesus Christ, the writing identifies Jesus because the Lion of Judah. “See, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.” (Revelation 5:5) This declaration connects Jesus to each the Lion of Judah from Genesis 49:9 and the foundation of David from Isaiah 11:1, a significant Messianic prophecy. The Old Testament guarantees a Messiah, each king and priest, who would come from the road of Judah and establish an everlasting kingdom. Revelation details how Jesus will do that within the age to return.
Modern churches use “the Lion of Judah” to explain Jesus’ role as savior and king. This term of worship and reverence expresses Jesus’ authority and Messianic role. Worship songs, sermons, paintings, and literature regularly use the image of a lion or reference the Lion of Judah to emphasise Christ’s power, his Jewish heritage, and his rightful rule.
“The Lion of Judah” is one among many phrases used throughout Scripture that help us understand the story God is writing. The Bible isn’t a random collection of writings but a consistent narrative where phrases, themes, and symbols weave throughout your entire text. Recognizing these threads deepens our understanding of God’s redemptive story and plan.
Beyond the lion, one other example from the Old and New Testaments is the “Lamb of God.” During the primary Passover (Exodus 12), God instructed the Israelites to sacrifice an unblemished lamb and mark their doorposts with blood. The angel of death would then “omit” their homes, sparing them from judgment. The New Testament refers to Jesus because the Lamb of God again and again, notably in Revelation, but additionally when John the Baptist declares Jesus the Messiah: “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
Terms like “Lamb of God” and “Lion of Judah” transcend one passage and form a tapestry of symbols and meaning, giving a fancy and wondrous view of Jesus.
What are the Biblical Origins of “the Lion of Judah”?
As Jacob (also called Israel) neared the tip of his life, he called his twelve sons to talk prophetic blessings over them. Here is his blessing over Judah.
“Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise;
Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies;
Your father’s children shall bow down before you.
Judah is a lion’s whelp;
From the prey, my son, you may have gone up.
He bows down, he lies down as a lion;
And as a lion, who shall rouse him?
The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
Nor a lawgiver from between his feet,
Until Shiloh comes;
And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.
Binding his donkey to the vine,
And his donkey’s colt to the alternative vine,
He washed his garments in wine,
And his clothes within the blood of grapes.
His eyes are darker than wine,
And his teeth whiter than milk.”
First, it is important to notice that Judah means praise, which explains the primary line. Then Jacob speaks of how Judah will likely be victorious in battle and rule over the opposite sons. Along with being a lion, the prophecy points to Judah having a scepter “which is able to not depart,” and even the nations would obey him. Along with imagery of a king and warrior, the prophecy mentions a donkey and washing his garments in wine.
Genesis 49 first finds achievement in King David, a “man after God’s own heart” who descended from the tribe of Judah. David won every battle and have become an amazing king over the opposite tribes of Israel, establishing a dynasty. During David’s lifetime, God established a covenant with him, promising that the kingdom would at all times be ruled by his lineage.
However, the final word achievement comes through Jesus Christ, who Revelation refers to as “the Lion of Judah.” In addition, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey before the Jews and Romans executed him, a bloody affair. The night before his death, Jesus reimagined the Passover wine as his blood, thereby washing his garments in wine.
In ancient cultures, the lion represented strength, majesty, and kingship. The lion is understood for its dominance within the animal kingdom and is usually seen as a protector and a fierce warrior.
While these passages connect the lion to Jesus, the Bible also portrays lions as symbols of chaos and evil in certain contexts. One striking example occurs in 1 Peter 5:8, where he describes the devil as a “roaring lion searching for someone to devour.” Here, the lion is Satan searching for to harm believers and lead them away from God. In the Old Testament, the king condemned the prophet Daniel to death, throwing him right into a lion’s den to kill him (Daniel 6). Daniel miraculously survived, but here the lions represented death. Also appearing as agents of judgment or chaos, in 2 Kings 17:25-26, lions attack the individuals who had not learned to fear the Lord, embodying each physical danger and spiritual consequences.
It shouldn’t surprise us that the devil and chaos also roam as lions. Satan can appear as an angel of sunshine to deceive people, and he also likes to twist and corrupt what God intended. In our broken and sinful world, the autumn made lions untamed and dangerous beasts. In Christ, the lion is redeemed, reflecting the Messiah’s royal authority and his conquering nature. Jesus manifests the strength of a warrior and the rule of a king. Christ protects his pride, his people, from evil.
How Does the Lion of Judah Relate to Jesus?
Revelation 5:5 offers a vital picture of Jesus because the Lion of Judah. In this passage, John weeps because heaven can’t find anyone worthy to open the scroll and break its seals, which symbolically contain God’s judgment for the world before it will probably be renewed and redeemed. John greatly desires this latest creation of the brand new heaven and earth, as should we as Christians. Fortunately, one among the heavenly elders tells John to stop crying since the Lion of Judah is worthy to open the scroll. Jesus has conquered sin and death through the cross and resurrection, and only he has the best to enact this final plan for all creation.
All Old Testament prophecies grow to be fulfilled within the person of Jesus, especially his identity because the Lion and the Lamb. As the Lion of Judah, he’s each David’s descendant and the righteous king who reigns with complete justice. Along with being a victorious king, Jesus is the suffering servant. While Revelation 5:5 mentions the lion, verse 6 reveals this Lion can also be “a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain.” Jesus conquers not through earthly warfare but through his sacrificial death on the cross, which provides salvation for humanity.
For Christians, the Lion of Judah also represents the twin nature of Jesus’ mission—he’s each the conquering King and the suffering servant. While Revelation 5:5 highlights His power and victory, Revelation 5:6 reveals that this Lion can also be “a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain.” This is crucial to understanding how Jesus fulfills the messianic expectations. Revelation shows us how Jesus is each mighty and compassionate, ruling with authority while at the identical time offering mercy and charm. Jesus as “the Lion of Judah” points to the long run when He returns in glory to evaluate the world, remove all corruption and evil, and establish his everlasting kingdom.
What is the Spiritual Significance of the Lion of Judah for Believers?
We can learn essential lessons and find inspiration from the title, “the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.”
First, we will see how God had a plan the entire time. The book concerning the starting (Genesis) and the writing concerning the end (Revelation) each establish the Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ. The Scripture gives us the entire redemptive story, and while we live in the midst of the story, we will have trust and faith in Christ above all. Nothing ever surprises him. God had a plan from the start and can see it to completion through Jesus. This gives us a secure hope.
Second, we will trust the long run because “the Lion of Judah” symbolizes Jesus’ role as king and conqueror. Just as people confer with lions as “king of the jungle,” Jesus reigns as king over all creation. He has the final word authority to rule, and He proved His victory through His death and resurrection. Christ’s overcome sin isn’t symbolic, nonetheless, but an actual reality granting us freedom from sin and death.
Third, this ultimate and absolute ruler protects us, very similar to a lion protects his pride. Lions live in groups called prides, where the dominant lion gives protection and leadership to your entire group. Like a lion, Jesus provides leadership, protection, and security to his church, which Scripture refers to as his “body.” And because the pride relies upon the strength and leadership of the dominant lion, the Bible calls us to rely on the protection and guidance of Jesus for our salvation and future.
Fourth, belonging to a community teaches us the importance of unity inside the church. Lions in a pride work together for the great of all. In the identical way, God calls us to support each other within the Christian community. Jesus encourages us to construct strong communities where we glance out for each other in faith, service, and love, all under His unmatched authority, victory, and compassion.
Finally, with Jesus as “the Lion of Judah,” we will face life’s challenges with confidence. We will encounter hardships and trials as Christians, but with Jesus, we will remember our King has already won the final word battle over sin, death, and the entire world. Christ’s victory gives us strength to beat personal struggles and endure difficult situations, all knowing we follow a King who can’t be defeated. The Messiah’s authority provides a way of peace, for He reigns over all things and abundantly loves us.
Peace.
For Further Reading
Why Did Jesus Descend from the Tribe of Judah?
How is Jesus the ‘Lamb of God’ and the ‘Lion of Judah’?
5 Powerful Reasons to Understand and Know Jesus because the Lion of Judah
Photo credit: ©Unsplash/Ingo Stiller
