Samson meets the lion in the way

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Apr 26, 2021
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#1
I like to discuss events, in the bible and try to interpret them. This is an area we all disagree on, so I will always just say, "disclaimer" this is my opinion, not fact. We can always agree or disagree on each others' understanding.

I pay very close attention to how the word lion is used in the scriptures. I'm not 100% sure I've mastered the meaning.

I start off with thinking "The Lion of Judah" which I get from Jacob's deathbed prophesy of Judah, Genesis 49:8-12. It seems to prophesy Jesus including his birth, (young whelp) his death (he couched as a lion) and as an old lion, "gone up from the prey" his ascension afterward.

So, what does the lion that met Samson in the way represent? (Judges 14:5-9)

Samson meets a young roaring lion in the way and slays it. A mere man slaying a lion with God's help. That lion may represent Jesus. We know man had power over Jesus to crucify him. Jesus said himself his Father gave Pilate power over him.

But the interesting thing happens when Samson passes by the lion's carcass at a later time and finds it filled with honey and bees which he takes of the honeycomb and eats and gives his parents to eat.

Honey is often used pleasantly, representing a pleasant thing. The fact it's eaten can lead one to think it's an image of spiritual food.

Which, interestingly, in the case of the Lord Jesus, when he arose and ascended, he sent the Holy Spirit.

So, I'm thinking (perhaps incorrectly) that this whole event with Samson meeting the lion and killing it and then eating from its carcass later is a sign pointing to man crucifying the Lord Jesus and then receiving the Holy Spirit afterwards. Then there's the bees. Well, I don't know about them. Maybe they were apostles building a bustling new Holy Church.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,773
13,135
113
#2
That lion may represent Jesus.
No. That lion represents Satan, who goes about as a roaring lion, seeking to devour Christians. He has caused two pastors in Alberta to be arrested because they continued to preach the Gospel in the face of the government's unconstitutional edicts to shut everything down.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,857
13,463
113
#3
Sometimes a lion is just a lion.
 
Apr 26, 2021
495
151
43
#4
No. That lion represents Satan, who goes about as a roaring lion, seeking to devour Christians. He has caused two pastors in Alberta to be arrested because they continued to preach the Gospel in the face of the government's unconstitutional edicts to shut everything down.
In some instances, the lion does represent satan. But, not all.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,281
6,567
113
#5
In some instances, the lion does represent satan. But, not all.
We must keep a level head when passing on what is from the Word.
Jesus, Yeshua, is indeed the Lion of Judah. While many may stalk others as a roaring lion, not all lions are Satan.
May God continue to keep you on the Way dear sister.. God bless you.
 

Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
7,486
3,527
113
#6
I like to discuss events, in the bible and try to interpret them. This is an area we all disagree on, so I will always just say, "disclaimer" this is my opinion, not fact. We can always agree or disagree on each others' understanding.

I pay very close attention to how the word lion is used in the scriptures. I'm not 100% sure I've mastered the meaning.

I start off with thinking "The Lion of Judah" which I get from Jacob's deathbed prophesy of Judah, Genesis 49:8-12. It seems to prophesy Jesus including his birth, (young whelp) his death (he couched as a lion) and as an old lion, "gone up from the prey" his ascension afterward.

So, what does the lion that met Samson in the way represent? (Judges 14:5-9)

Samson meets a young roaring lion in the way and slays it. A mere man slaying a lion with God's help. That lion may represent Jesus. We know man had power over Jesus to crucify him. Jesus said himself his Father gave Pilate power over him.

But the interesting thing happens when Samson passes by the lion's carcass at a later time and finds it filled with honey and bees which he takes of the honeycomb and eats and gives his parents to eat.

Honey is often used pleasantly, representing a pleasant thing. The fact it's eaten can lead one to think it's an image of spiritual food.

Which, interestingly, in the case of the Lord Jesus, when he arose and ascended, he sent the Holy Spirit.

So, I'm thinking (perhaps incorrectly) that this whole event with Samson meeting the lion and killing it and then eating from its carcass later is a sign pointing to man crucifying the Lord Jesus and then receiving the Holy Spirit afterwards. Then there's the bees. Well, I don't know about them. Maybe they were apostles building a bustling new Holy Church.
The Lion in the Bible is not always symbolic of the LORD or pointing to the LORD..

1 Peter 5
:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"

This to me indicates that satan can appear like Jesus in teaching and actions.. Many false Christian cults really appear to be just like true Christianity..

In the end times we read about a great deceiver who will deceive many, who will demand to be worshiped and will sit in the temple of God claiming to be God.. I believe the anti-christ will deceive people into thinking he is the promised Messiah and this will be the nature of the great deception..

As for the honey and the bees? I have no idea about their significance in the Samson account..
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,281
6,567
113
#7
Ariell is Hebrew for My Lion God. Ari El. Some will translatse Ariel as lion of God.

This is not a reference to the enemy. Also it is not a reference to a raging lion, simply to the strength attributed to one.
 
B

Blackpowderduelist

Guest
#8
I have heard similar interpretations.

All the old testament stories like that have a christological meanings and parallels.
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
6,420
1,840
113
#9
I've learned similarly that honey is representative of Torah and bees of Israel, but I'm not familiar enough with them to thoroughly explain how without the risk of misrepresenting the actual understandings.
 
Apr 26, 2021
495
151
43
#10
We must keep a level head when passing on what is from the Word.
Jesus, Yeshua, is indeed the Lion of Judah. While many may stalk others as a roaring lion, not all lions are Satan.
May God continue to keep you on the Way dear sister.. God bless you.
I've seen that the lion doesn't always appear to be Jesus in certain areas of the bible. That's why I can't say I understand the symbolism in the scriptures perfectly. It's one of the more difficult concepts I've been struggling with, understanding what the lion represents throughout the scriptures.

The roaring or ravening type lion usually does depict satan.
 
Apr 26, 2021
495
151
43
#11
The Lion in the Bible is not always symbolic of the LORD or pointing to the LORD..

1 Peter 5
:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"

This to me indicates that satan can appear like Jesus in teaching and actions.. Many false Christian cults really appear to be just like true Christianity..

In the end times we read about a great deceiver who will deceive many, who will demand to be worshiped and will sit in the temple of God claiming to be God.. I believe the anti-christ will deceive people into thinking he is the promised Messiah and this will be the nature of the great deception..

As for the honey and the bees? I have no idea about their significance in the Samson account..
The honey and the bees in the lion's carcass is the clue that I think points to the lion being a picture of Jesus. But, I've seen the lion used to depict the devil.

But, interestingly, throughout history, the lion has been labeled the king of beasts and is the largest, most well known image of royalty. At least someone somewhere along the lines of history is also connecting the lion with the King of kings.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,281
6,567
113
#12
I've seen that the lion doesn't always appear to be Jesus in certain areas of the bible. That's why I can't say I understand the symbolism in the scriptures perfectly. It's one of the more difficult concepts I've been struggling with, understanding what the lion represents throughout the scriptures.

The roaring or ravening type lion usually does depict satan.
In my own half century + of study, I do not claim to understand the full meaning of the lion , however I believe what I read and await being enlightened by the Spirit.

On occasion I have had to wait over 40 years to understand a quesstion in my heart, but others I never seem to quite understand. I do not mind because I realize only our Maker knows all and all will be revealed in His time. Until then I believe and wait, as to all.
 
Apr 26, 2021
495
151
43
#13
In my own half century + of study, I do not claim to understand the full meaning of the lion , however I believe what I read and await being enlightened by the Spirit.

On occasion I have had to wait over 40 years to understand a quesstion in my heart, but others I never seem to quite understand. I do not mind because I realize only our Maker knows all and all will be revealed in His time. Until then I believe and wait, as to all.
The same is true for me too. Some things I just understand. Others I don't. My brain works by identifying design patterns and connecting dots. The whole bible is a pixilated picture that is zoomed in too close. I can see dots that connect and patterns and shapes in corners here and there.

That's how my brain processes. I will never get the full zoomed out image to see it clearly in my lifetime. I don't think anybody does. We're lucky to get to see what portions of it we can see.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,281
6,567
113
#14
The same is true for me too. Some things I just understand. Others I don't. My brain works by identifying design patterns and connecting dots. The whole bible is a pixilated picture that is zoomed in too close. I can see dots that connect and patterns and shapes in corners here and there.

That's how my brain processes. I will never get the full zoomed out image to see it clearly in my lifetime. I don't think anybody does. We're lucky to get to see what portions of it we can see.
Your description of the understanding of the Word being akin to a close-up of an image so close that the pixels making up the image itself is great. It would be like seeing only the space in between .

Thanks be to our Shepherd that He does reveal what we need to know in order to stay with Him. People, and I am no exception, may confuse inadvertently when sharing, but at least we ar e sharing.

Keep talking, posting. You have much to share I am certain. God bless you.