Lions

Lions were well-known to the people of Israel, but they are now extinct in the Middle East. They were feared as killers, as in the story of Daniel and the lions’ den. David told Saul that he killed lions and bears that tried to take sheep from his flock. Lions were respected for their strength and majestic beauty. Jesus is called the “Lion of the tribe of Judah.” This title came from a blessing Jacob gave to his son Judah, who was called “a lion’s cub.” Jesus was born into the tribe of Judah.