A massive lion fills the screen and roars. The lion Aslan bounds to save, 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 thousands of years old: the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Mentioned in Scripture and connected with Christianity for two 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 men from whom come the twelve tribes of Israel, and he refers to Judah as a “lion’s cub.” Of all 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 as 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 both the Lion of Judah from Genesis 49:9 and the root of David from Isaiah 11:1, a major Messianic prophecy. The Old Testament promises a Messiah, both king and priest, who would come from the line of Judah and establish an eternal kingdom. Revelation details how Jesus will do this in the age to come.
Modern churches use “the Lion of Judah” to describe Jesus’ role as savior and king. This term of worship and reverence expresses Jesus’ authority and Messianic role. Worship songs, sermons, paintings, and literature frequently use the image of a lion or reference the Lion of Judah to emphasize Christ’s power, his Jewish heritage, and his rightful rule.
“The Lion of Judah” is one of 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 the entire text. Recognizing these threads deepens our understanding of God’s redemptive story and plan.
Beyond the lion, another example from the Old and New Testaments is the “Lamb of God.” During the first Passover (Exodus 12), God instructed the Israelites to sacrifice an unblemished lamb and mark their doorposts with blood. The angel of death would then “pass over” their homes, sparing them from judgment. The New Testament refers to Jesus as the Lamb of God many times, notably in Revelation, but also 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 complex and wondrous view of Jesus.
What are the Biblical Origins of “the Lion of Judah”?
As Jacob (also called Israel) neared the end of his life, he called his twelve sons to speak 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 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 choice vine,
He washed his garments in wine,
And his clothes in the blood of grapes.
His eyes are darker than wine,
And his teeth whiter than milk.”
First, it's important to note that Judah means praise, which explains the first line. Then Jacob speaks of how Judah will be victorious in battle and rule over the other sons. Along with being a lion, the prophecy points to Judah having a scepter “which will 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 fulfillment in King David, a “man after God’s own heart” who descended from the tribe of Judah. David won every battle and became a great king over the other tribes of Israel, establishing a dynasty. During David’s lifetime, God established a covenant with him, promising that the kingdom would always be ruled by his lineage.
However, the ultimate fulfillment 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 known for its dominance in the animal kingdom and is often 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 looking for someone to devour.” Here, the lion is Satan seeking to harm believers and lead them away from God. In the Old Testament, the king condemned the prophet Daniel to death, throwing him 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 people who had not learned to fear the Lord, embodying both 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 light to deceive people, and he also loves to twist and corrupt what God intended. In our broken and sinful world, the fall 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 an important picture of Jesus as 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 can be renewed and redeemed. John greatly desires this new creation of the new heaven and earth, as should we as Christians. Fortunately, one of the heavenly elders tells John to cease crying because 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 right to enact this final plan for all creation.
All Old Testament prophecies become fulfilled in the person of Jesus, especially his identity as the Lion and the Lamb. As the Lion of Judah, he is both 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 is also “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 dual nature of Jesus’ mission—he is both the conquering King and the suffering servant. While Revelation 5:5 highlights His power and victory, Revelation 5:6 reveals that this Lion is also “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 both mighty and compassionate, ruling with authority while at the same time offering mercy and grace. Jesus as “the Lion of Judah” points to the future when He returns in glory to judge the world, remove all corruption and evil, and establish his eternal kingdom.
What is the Spiritual Significance of the Lion of Judah for Believers?
We can learn important lessons and find inspiration from the title, “the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.”
First, we can see how God had a plan the whole time. The book about the beginning (Genesis) and the writing about the end (Revelation) both establish the Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ. The Scripture gives us the complete redemptive story, and while we live in the middle of the story, we can have trust and faith in Christ above all. Nothing ever surprises him. God had a plan from the beginning and will see it to completion through Jesus. This gives us a secure hope.
Second, we can trust the future because “the Lion of Judah” symbolizes Jesus’ role as king and conqueror. Just as people refer to lions as “king of the jungle,” Jesus reigns as king over all creation. He has the ultimate authority to rule, and He proved His victory through His death and resurrection. Christ’s triumph over sin isn’t symbolic, however, but an actual reality granting us freedom from sin and death.
Third, this ultimate and absolute ruler protects us, much like a lion protects his pride. Lions live in groups called prides, where the dominant lion gives protection and leadership to the entire group. Like a lion, Jesus provides leadership, protection, and security to his church, which Scripture refers to as his “body.” And as the pride relies upon the strength and leadership of the dominant lion, the Bible calls us to depend upon the protection and guidance of Jesus for our salvation and future.
Fourth, belonging to a community teaches us the importance of unity within the church. Lions in a pride work together for the good of all. In the same way, God calls us to support one another in the Christian community. Jesus encourages us to build strong communities where we look out for one another in faith, service, and love, all under His unmatched authority, victory, and compassion.
Finally, with Jesus as “the Lion of Judah,” we can face life’s challenges with confidence. We will encounter hardships and trials as Christians, but with Jesus, we can remember our King has already won the ultimate battle over sin, death, and the whole world. Christ’s victory gives us strength to overcome personal struggles and endure difficult situations, all knowing we follow a King who can’t be defeated. The Messiah’s authority provides a sense 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 as the Lion of Judah
Photo credit: ©Unsplash/Ingo Stiller
