{"id":746,"date":"2015-04-18T09:03:37","date_gmt":"2015-04-18T15:03:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thesimpleanswers.com\/articles\/?p=746"},"modified":"2025-02-03T07:09:27","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T07:09:27","slug":"the-cats-in-the-bible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thesimpleanswers.com\/articles\/2015\/04\/18\/the-cats-in-the-bible\/","title":{"rendered":"The Cats in the Bible"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span><\/p>\n

(By Angelica C. Fermis)<\/em><\/p>\n

Cats as a group, unlike dogs, do not appear in the Bible. Only two specific cats are mentioned – the lion and the leopard.<\/p>\n

Leopards were mostly used in the same context as lions. Being predators, it\u2019s no surprise that these cats are seen in the Bible preying, devouring, roaring, lurking, stalking – doing their predator stuff. But the surprising thing is that they are sometimes used in verses that seem to contradict each other.<\/p>\n

Jesus was pictured as a lion (<\/span>Revelation 5:5<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong> but so was the devil (<\/span>1 Peter 5:8<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Solomon said that the \u201crighteous are bold as a lion\u201d<\/em> (<\/span>Proverbs 28:1<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong>, but 14 verses later he compared a \u201cwicked ruler\u201d<\/em> to a lion (<\/span>Proverbs 28:15<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

When Jesus returns and sets up His Kingdom on the earth, God said that the \u201c\u2026lion will eat straw like the ox\u2026\u201d<\/em> (<\/span>Isaiah 11:6<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong> and \u201cthey shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain\u2026\u201d<\/em> (<\/span>Isaiah 11:9<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong>. But then again, the same book tells us that \u201cno lion will be there\u201d<\/em> on the \u201cway of holiness\u201d<\/em> (<\/span>Isaiah 35:8-9<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

What is it really? Do they represent the righteous or the wicked? Is it Jesus or the devil? Will they be in the kingdom of God or not? These are apparent contradictions, but \u201cthe scripture cannot be broken\u201d<\/em> (<\/span>John 10:35<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong>, so let\u2019s see what lions and leopards really represent.<\/p>\n

The Devil – A Lion<\/h3>\n
\n

1 Peter 5:8<\/span><\/strong> Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil<\/strong>, as a roaring lion<\/strong>, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour<\/strong>:<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Lions, like any predator, devour the innocent, especially the young, old, weak, maimed, or simply the \u201cpoor\u201d among the flock. Those who wander away from the herd also become targets. Lions prey upon basically anyone not vigilant<\/em> enough.<\/p>\n

In the same way, the devil devours those who are spiritually weak, those who are enticed to drink from Babylon\u2019s cup and be drunk. That is why Peter reminded us to be sober and vigilant<\/strong>, otherwise we would be devoured by the devil and share the portion of unbelievers.<\/p>\n

\n

Luke 12:45<\/span><\/strong> But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;<\/strong> The lord of that servant will come in a day<\/strong> when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware<\/strong>, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Lions are the flock\u2019s enemies, but they also perform the flock a great service. When they devour the \u201cpoor,\u201d only the strongest will be left in the flock. Likewise, the devil who is the church\u2019s enemy helps the church when he is able to devour the weak that drink his cup of lies. The church will be freed from the \u201cbranch\u2026 that beareth not fruit\u201d<\/em> (<\/span>John 15:1-5<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\n

Hebrews 12:27<\/span><\/strong> And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken<\/strong>, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Anyone that is not firmly founded on the Rock (<\/span>Matthew 7:24<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong> will be shaken while the remnants will be made manifest (<\/span>Hebrews 12:27<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong>. So God needs rain, floods, wind, pruning shears, lions, anything, yes, even the devil, to remove those things that can be shaken. God also uses tares (<\/span>Matthew 13:24-30<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong> and thorns (<\/span>Matthew 13:22<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong> so that the unfruitful wheat<\/em> will be choked<\/em> while they \u201cwhich are approved may be made manifest\u201d<\/em> (<\/span>1 Corinthians 11:19<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Tares and thorns are only a threat to the \u201cweak\u201d wheat; the shears, as well as the devil, are only a threat to those who can\u2019t resist him (<\/span>James 4:7<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong> – those that will be shaken; likewise lions are only a threat to the \u201cpoor.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Wicked As Lions<\/h3>\n

The Bible already compared the devil to a lion. So it\u2019s no surprise to see them as a symbol for the wicked. These, like lions, murder the innocent for their own gain.<\/p>\n

\n

Psalms 10:8-9<\/span><\/strong> \u2026[the wicked] sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent<\/strong>: his eyes are privily set against the poor<\/strong>. He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den<\/strong>: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

And yet lions were also used to describe the righteous:<\/p>\n

\n

Proverbs 28:1<\/span><\/strong> The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

There is no contradiction here because it\u2019s the boldness of the lion<\/strong> that was used to describe the righteous. The same \u201cboldness\u201d needed to \u201center into the holies\u201d<\/em> (<\/span>Hebrews 10:19<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong> and to come to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Dogs and Lions<\/h3>\n

It may surprise you to know that dogs and lions share some traits. One of them is greed (compare Psalms 17:12<\/span><\/strong> with Isaiah 56:11<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong>. Another thing they share is that they were both used to describe those crucifying Christ:<\/p>\n

\n

Psalms 22:16<\/span>, 20-21<\/span> For dogs have compassed me<\/em><\/strong>: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet<\/strong>\u2026 Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog<\/strong>. Save me from the lion\u2019s mouth<\/strong>: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Interestingly, God uses both dogs and lions when executing His judgments. The lions actually execute the judgment, and the dogs clean up the mess.<\/p>\n

\n

2 Kings 17:25<\/span><\/strong> And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD<\/strong>: therefore the LORD sent lions among them<\/strong>, which slew some of them.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

2 Kings 9:10<\/span><\/strong> And the dogs shall eat<\/strong> Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her<\/strong>\u2026.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Symbol of Kingship<\/h3>\n
\n

Genesis 49:9<\/span><\/strong> Judah is a lion\u2019s whelp<\/em><\/strong>: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? The sceptre shall not depart from Judah<\/strong>, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Comparing Judah to a lion and saying that the sceptre will not depart from him, it\u2019s not that hard to see that lions were used to symbolize kingship. King Solomon even used them as steps in his throne:<\/p>\n

\n

1 Kings 10:19-20<\/span><\/strong> The throne had six steps<\/strong>, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays<\/strong>. And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Solomon also used lions to describe kings:<\/p>\n

\n

Proverbs 19:12<\/span><\/strong> The king\u2019s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

Proverbs 20:2<\/span><\/strong> The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

God compared the kings of Assyria, Babylon, and Egypt to lions:<\/p>\n

\n

Jeremiah 50:17<\/span><\/strong> Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away<\/strong>: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him<\/strong>; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon<\/strong> hath broken his bones<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

Ezekiel 32:2<\/span><\/strong> Son of man, take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt<\/strong>, and say unto him, Thou art like a young lion of the nations<\/strong>, and thou art as a whale in the seas: and thou camest forth with thy rivers, and troubledst the waters with thy feet, and fouledst their rivers.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

It\u2019s interesting to note that not just Nebuchadnezzar, but his kingdom – the first world-ruling kingdom (first beast) – was also likened unto a lion (<\/span>Daniel 7:4<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong>. And that the Bible called him a<\/em> king of kings (<\/span>Ezekiel 26:7<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Lamb and the Lion<\/h3>\n

We have established that lions were used as a symbol of a king, but there\u2019s another proof. In Revelation 5<\/span><\/strong>, John relates the vision he saw about the Being that was able to open the book, although it was first said that no one was found worthy to open the book (<\/span>verse 4<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong>. An elder comforted John saying that the Lion<\/strong> was able to open the book.<\/p>\n

\n

Verse 5<\/span><\/strong> And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda<\/strong>, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book<\/strong>, and to loose the seven seals thereof.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The weird thing is that John saw a Lamb taking the book and opening it, not a lion.<\/p>\n

\n

Verses 6-7<\/span><\/strong> And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain<\/strong>\u2026 And he came and took the book<\/strong> out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

We all know that Jesus is the Lamb (<\/span>John 1:29<\/span>, 36<\/span>,<\/span> Revelation 17:14<\/span>,<\/span> Revelation 21:14<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong>. The Lamb opened the book. The elder said the Lion is worthy to open the book. Jesus the Lamb is also the Lion, the Lion of the tribe of Judah (<\/span>Revelation 5:5<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong>. This clear contrast, lamb and lion, is worth discussing.<\/p>\n

Lambs are weak (prey) and are herbivores. Lions are strong (predators) and are carnivores. Lambs go \u201cmee hee\u201d as if asking help; lions roar as if declaring their authority. Lambs are helpless; lions are powerful. Why use them to describe Jesus?<\/p>\n

When questioned by Pilate, Jesus admitted He was a king (<\/span>John 18:37<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong>. He is a king to those who hear His voice. But when Jesus first came here, it was not as a king that will rule with a rod of iron, but was instead in the form of a servant.<\/p>\n

\n

Philippians 2:7-8<\/span><\/strong> But made himself of no reputation<\/strong>, and took upon him the form of a servant<\/strong>, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He is a king, yes, but the \u201cchiefest, shall be the servant of all\u201d<\/em> (<\/span>Mark 10:43<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong>. He was a king that humbled Himself; He was sacrificed as the Passover lamb (<\/span>1 Corinthians 5:7<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\n

Isaiah 53:7<\/span><\/strong> He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter<\/strong>, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

Revelation 5:12<\/span><\/strong> Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb<\/strong> that was slain<\/strong> to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

So Jesus is the Lamb brought to the slaughter according to Isaiah 53:7<\/span><\/strong>. He is also the Lamb worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour, glory, and blessing according to Revelation 5:12<\/span><\/strong>. What can we get if we put together power, riches, wisdom, strength, honour and glory?<\/p>\n

\n

1 Kings 3:12-13<\/span><\/strong> Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise [wisdom]<\/strong> and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour<\/strong>: so that there shall not be any among the kings<\/strong> like unto thee all thy days.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

Daniel 2:37<\/span><\/strong> Thou, O king<\/strong>, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

God gave to Solomon wisdom, riches, and honour and to Nebuchadrezzar power, strength, and glory. What do these two men have in common? They are both kings! One was even called a king of kings!<\/p>\n

So in other words, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to be the King of kings<\/em>!!!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Blessing is the last thing to be given to the Lamb. Jesus is from the tribe of Judah. What was Judah\u2019s blessing? Genesis 49:9<\/span><\/strong> again. So the Lion of the tribe of Judah<\/strong> meant the King of the tribe of Judah<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The second time Jesus will come here, He will no longer be a lamb brought to the slaughter. He will INITIATE the slaughter (<\/span>Revelation 14:14-20<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong> while riding His white horse (<\/span>Revelation 19:11<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong> with His rod of iron (<\/span>verse 15<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong> as the<\/em> King of kings (<\/span>verse 16<\/span>)<\/span><\/strong> ruling the world like a lion.<\/p>\n

And just as these things belong to kings, they also belong to lions:<\/p>\n