What does the Bible say about the Lion of Judah?
Why do we have a weak view of Jesus when He stands as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah? This is a title rooted in Genesis 49:9 where Jacob blesses Judah, calling him a “lion’s cub”—a hint of the formidable figure destined to rise from his lineage. Lions stir thoughts of raw power, fearless resolve, bold leadership, and regal splendor—rulers of the wild, commanding with unshakable might. This picture fits Jesus perfectly: our Messiah, our King, our Defender, the One who stands for us. Pause and let that sink in. Jesus is your fierce Lion, deserving of all your praise and trust. How does His strength lift your heart?
1. Revelation 5:5 (NASB) – “And one of the elders said to me, ‘Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.'”
2. Genesis 49:9 (NIV) – “You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?”
3. Hosea 11:10 (ESV) – “They shall go after the Lord; he will roar like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west.”
4. Revelation 19:16 (NLT) – “On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.”
5. Genesis 49:10 (Holman Christian Standard Bible) – “The scepter will not depart from Judah or the staff from between his feet until He whose right it is comes and the obedience of the peoples belongs to Him.”
6. Amos 1:2 (KJV) – “And he said, The Lord will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.”
7. Revelation 5:5 (Holman) – “Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Stop crying. Look! The Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has been victorious so that He may open the scroll and its seven seals.'”
8. Isaiah 9:6 (ESV) – “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
9. Isaiah 43:11 (NKJV) – “I, even I, am the Lord, and besides Me there is no savior.”
10. Luke 2:11 (ESV) – “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
11. Philippians 2:10-11 (NIV) – “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
12. Revelation 22:16 (NKJV) – “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
13. Titus 2:13 (ESV) – “Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
14. Timothy 1:15 (NKJV) – “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”
15. Proverbs 30:30 (NLT) – “The lion, king of animals, who won’t turn aside for anything.”
16. Luke 19:10 (NLT) – “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
17. John 1:29 (NIV) – “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'”
18. Revelation 5:12 (ESV) – “Saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
19. Titus 3:5 (NASB) – “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.”
20. Isaiah 5:29 (NIV) – “Their roar is like that of the lion, they roar like young lions; they growl as they seize their prey and carry it off with no one to rescue.”
