The Hebrew word aryeh (אַרְיֵה) is the most common word for lion in the Old Testament, appearing approximately 80 times. The Asiatic lion was native to the ancient Near East and was a well-known symbol of power, royalty, and danger. Aryeh (along with its variant ari, H738) describes both literal lions encountered in nature and the symbolic lion as a theological and royal image.
The lion is one of Scripture's richest symbols. Judah is called a lion's cub in Jacob's blessing (Genesis 49:9), establishing the messianic lineage through the tribe of Judah. The "Lion of the tribe of Judah" appears in Revelation 5:5 as a title for Jesus Christ, the victorious King. God's voice is compared to a lion's roar (Amos 3:8), signifying the power and authority of divine speech. Satan is also compared to a roaring lion seeking prey (1 Peter 5:8), but Christ the Lion has already conquered. Daniel's survival in the lion's den testifies to God's sovereign protection over His servants.