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Glory · Jesus Christ
The Lion of Judah is the conquering King who comes from David's line, fulfilling God's promise that the scepter would not depart from Judah. When John turns to see the Lion, he sees a Lamb. The title means Jesus is both the conquering ruler and the sacrificial Savior, and the two cannot be separated.
https://glorystudy.com/questions/jesus-lion-of-judah · Scripture quoted from the World English Bible
Genesis 49:8-12
As you read: The prophecy that the scepter belongs to Judah, and a ruler will come from his line.
8“Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies. Your father’s sons will bow down before you.
9Judah is a lion’s cub. From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down, he crouched as a lion, as a lioness. Who will rouse him up?
10The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs. To him will the obedience of the peoples be.
11Binding his foal to the vine, his donkey’s colt to the choice vine; he has washed his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.
12His eyes will be red with wine, his teeth white with milk.
Revelation 5:5-7
As you read: John hears 'the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah,' but when he looks, he sees a Lamb.
5One of the elders said to me, “Don’t weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome; he who opens the book and its seven seals.”
6I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.
7Then he came, and he took it out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne.
Hebrews 7:11-19
As you read: Jesus from the tribe of Judah, a priesthood not derived from the Law.
11Now if there were perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made also in the law.
13For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.
14For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah, about which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.
15This is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest,
16who has been made, not after the law of a fleshly commandment, but after the power of an endless life:
17for it is testified, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”
18For there is an annulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and uselessness
19(for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
When Jacob blessed his sons, he told Judah that the scepter would not depart from him, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, 'until he comes to whom it belongs.' This was the promise of a king from Judah's line, and it pointed forward to David and beyond David to the Messiah.
““Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies. Your father’s sons will bow down before you. Judah is a lion’s cub. From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down, he crouched as a lion, as a lioness. Who will rouse him up? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs. To him will the obedience of the peoples be.”Genesis 49:8-10
The New Testament traces Jesus' genealogy through Judah to David. Paul writes that Jesus 'was born of the seed of David according to the flesh.' The Lion of Judah is not a metaphor; it is a claim that Jesus is the promised King from David's throne.
“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham became the father of Isaac. Isaac became the father of Jacob. Jacob became the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron. Hezron became the father of Ram. Ram became the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon. Nahshon became the father of Salmon. Salmon became the father of Boaz by Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed by Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse. Jesse became the father of King David. David became the father of Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam became the father of Abijah. Abijah became the father of Asa. Asa became the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat became the father of Joram. Joram became the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham. Jotham became the father of Ahaz. Ahaz became the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh. Manasseh became the father of Amon. Amon became the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the exile to Babylon. After the exile to Babylon, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel became the father of Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel became the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim. Eliakim became the father of Azor. Azor became the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim. Achim became the father of Eliud. Eliud became the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan. Matthan became the father of Jacob. Jacob became the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.”Matthew 1:1-16
“concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,”Romans 1:3
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David; the Bright and Morning Star.””Revelation 22:16
This is one of the most striking moments in the Bible. The announcement is 'the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David,' but when John looks, 'in the midst of the throne' stands 'a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain.' The Lion conquers by dying. Power and sacrifice are the same person.
“One of the elders said to me, “Don’t weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome; he who opens the book and its seven seals.” I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.”Revelation 5:5-6
Only the Lamb who was slain can take the scroll and open its seals. The title 'Lion of Judah' is not about political conquest or military might; it is about the One who, by His death and resurrection, has authority over all history and all creation.
“Then he came, and he took it out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne. Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They sang a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the book, and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood, out of every tribe, language, people, and nation,”Revelation 5:7-9
“saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!” I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!” The four living creatures said, “Amen!” The elders fell down and worshiped.”Revelation 5:12-14
The Lion is fierce against evil and tender toward His people. He is the King who will judge the nations and the Shepherd who gathers lambs in His arms. To say Jesus is the Lion of Judah is to say He is not tame, but He is good.
“Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword, that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the wine press of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty. He has on his garment and on his thigh a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.””Revelation 19:15-16
“He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young.”Isaiah 40:11
“One of the elders said to me, “Don’t weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome; he who opens the book and its seven seals.” I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.”Revelation 5:5-6