לָבִיא
to roar; a lion (properly, a lioness as the fiercer (although not a roarer;))
Definition
The Hebrew word לָבִיא (lâbîyʼ) primarily refers to a lion, often emphasizing a mature, powerful, and sometimes ferocious lion. While it can denote a lion in general, its usage frequently points to a lioness, which was culturally viewed as the fiercer hunter (Ezekiel 19:2). The word is associated with the action of roaring, depicting the lion's terrifying voice (Psalm 57:4). In poetic and prophetic texts, it symbolizes overwhelming strength, predatory danger, and majestic authority, as seen in the blessings of Jacob (Genesis 49:9) and Balaam (Numbers 24:9).
Biblical Usage
לָבִיא is used 14 times, predominantly in poetic and prophetic books like Job, Psalms, and Isaiah. It appears in blessings and metaphors to describe the power of tribes (Judah in Genesis 49:9, Gad in Deuteronomy 33:20) and nations (Assyria in Isaiah 5:29). It also illustrates God's sovereign provision in nature (Job 38:39) and the destructive force of the wicked (Job 4:11, Psalm 57:4). Its usage consistently conveys imagery of strength, ferocity, and royal might.
Etymology
Derived from an unused root meaning 'to roar,' לָבִיא is a primary term for lion in Biblical Hebrew. It is distinct from but related to אֲרִי (H738), another common word for lion. The irregular plural forms (לְבָאִים for masculine, לְבָאוֹת for feminine) and the variant לְבִיָּא (Ezekiel 19:2) suggest a long-standing, native Semitic term for the animal, emphasizing its roar and fierceness.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as a metaphor for divine and messianic authority. In Genesis 49:9, Judah is called a 'lion's cub,' a prophecy fulfilled in Jesus as the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5). It also portrays God's protective power (Psalm 57:4) and judgment (Isaiah 5:29). Understanding לָבִיא enriches Bible reading by highlighting how biblical authors used this majestic creature to illustrate God's sovereignty, the danger of evil, and the hope of a conquering king.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, the lion was a symbol of supreme strength, courage, and kingship. Unlike modern views that may romanticize lions, the biblical context emphasizes their danger as predators and their roar as a sound of terror (Psalm 57:4). A lioness was particularly noted for her ferocity in hunting, making לָבִיא a potent image for describing both human enemies and divine power.
אֲרִי (ʼarîy, H738) — A more general term for lion, often used interchangeably but sometimes in less fierce contexts. כְּפִיר (kᵉphîyr, H3715) — A young lion, emphasizing vigor or a lion in its prime. שַׁחַל (shachal, H7826) — A poetic term for lion, often in contexts of strength and majesty.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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