The Hebrew noun labiy refers to a lion or lioness, one of several Hebrew terms for the lion. It typically emphasizes the lion in its prime strength and ferocity. The lion is the king of beasts in the ancient Near East, a symbol of power, royalty, and danger.
The lion (labiy and related words) functions as a rich theological symbol in Scripture. Judah is called a lion's cub (Genesis 49:9), a prophecy fulfilled in Christ as the 'Lion of the tribe of Judah' (Revelation 5:5). The devil prowls like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8). God Himself is compared to a lion in confronting sin (Hosea 13:7-8). The image encompasses both divine majesty and fearsome holiness.