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Hebrew is a fascinating language. Its structure and its rules intermingled with its esoteric attributes engendered volumes of commentaries, observations, and analysis.
Even the names of animals get lots of attention.
In our new series, Animals in Hebrew, we will begin with the LION. The אריה.
Many cultures view the lion as king of the animal world.
The lion, an imposing figure, symbolizes supremacy, heroism, and power.
In the Hebrew Bible, the lion’s importance is evident in the multiplicity of its name, six synonyms! In the Old Testament, the lion and its synonyms appear 166 times, often used in a descriptive, metaphoric, and allegorical fashion.
Opinions of Torah commentators and linguists vary as to the meaning of the lion’s synonyms. The list below represents the most common explanations.
The seven names of the lion represent a phase in the life of the animal or an idea. However, the opinions of Torah commentators and linguists vary. The list below represents the most common explanations.
- Ar-ye / אַרְיֵה
The most commonly used name for the lion
Ar-ye is the name given to the lion during its early years of adulthood. - Ari / אֲרִי
A shortened version of אריה
An older lion, according to some commentators. - La-vi / לָבִיא
The la-vi is the male version of le-vi-a / לְבִיאָה, the lioness, is mentioned once in the Bible. (Some say that most of the mentions of La-vi in the Bible refer to the female, the lioness.) - Kfir / כְּפִיר
A young lion.
Some say that כפיר is derived from from the word כְּפִירָה / kfi-ra, meaning heresy, as young lions demonstrate disloyalty to parents. - Sha-chal / שַׁחַל
This synonym is associated with the years during which the lion is in its ultimate strength.
The word le-hash-chil להשחיל is from the same root and means to thread (as in to a needle). Thus the synonym, sha-chal, refers to the fear all experience when encountering a lion, and the instinct to make one as small as possible. - La-yish / לַיִשׁ
An old lion divested of its strength.
La-yish is from the same root as ‘lash’ לש to knead, and refers to the lion’s mouth kneading like dough all it consumes (according to Avot d’Rabi Natan). - Sha-Schatz / שׁחַץ
Least common synonym, which is not agreed upon by all.
Sha-chatz means pride, haughtiness, arrogance, which applies to a lion as well.
Finally, the baby lion, the cub, is called: Gur ar-ye / גּוּר אַרְיֵה
SYMBOLS
The Lion of Judah: The mostly positive characterization of the lion in the Bible, mostly (not exclusively) associated with Judah the son of Jacob, has contributed to using the lion as a symbol of strength and heroism.
Lion statues were prominent in Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem, especially on the steps leading to the throne. And, to this day, lions feature prominently in synagogue decorations.
The flag of Jerusalem, the Capital of Israel.
Stay tuned for more ANIMAL in HEBREW blogs.
Coming soon!
Get the beautiful book “Animals in Hebrew: A Day at the Zoo”
And learn the names of many animals.
Available in digital and paperback formats!
GET ALL SIX ‘A Taste of HEBREW’ books for Kids
1. Hebrew Alphabet – http://amzn.to/2gkfU4U
2. Count in Hebrew – http://amzn.to/2gkhDr3
3. Colors in Hebrew – http://amzn.to/2fvCObN
4. Animals in Hebrew – http://amzn.to/2fsHqMy
5. Fruits in Hebrew – http://amzn.to/2f6SWBW
6. Opposites in Hebrew – http://amzn.to/2sL1VMA
MazorBooks also offers two Hebrew Alphabet workbooks:
1. Color the Aleph-Bet (ages 3-6) – http://amzn.to/2t3Z2FB
2. The Hebrew Alphabet: Read, Write & Color (ages 6 & up) – http://amzn.to/2mJR6G5
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