In the biblical context, the imagery of the bear and the lioness is used to convey strength, ferocity, and sometimes divine judgment. These animals are mentioned in various passages throughout the Bible, often symbolizing power and danger.

Bear

The bear is depicted in the Bible as a powerful and fearsome creature. In 1 Samuel 17:34-36, David recounts his experience as a shepherd, defending his flock from both lions and bears: "Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God" . This passage highlights the bear's strength and the courage required to confront it.

In 2 Kings 2:24, bears are instruments of divine judgment. When a group of youths mocked the prophet Elisha, two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of them. This event underscores the bear's role as an agent of God's retribution.

The bear is also used metaphorically in prophetic literature. In Daniel 7:5, a bear represents the Medo-Persian Empire in Daniel's vision of four beasts: "And behold, another beast appeared, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. So it was told, ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’" . This imagery conveys the empire's might and its insatiable appetite for conquest.

Lioness

The lioness, like the lion, is a symbol of strength and ferocity. In the Bible, the lioness is often associated with the tribe of Judah, from which the Messiah would come. Genesis 49:9 describes Judah as a lion's cub: "Judah is a young lion—my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion, he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?" . This passage emphasizes the tribe's power and royal lineage.

In Ezekiel 19, the lioness is used as a metaphor for the nation of Israel and its leaders. The chapter describes a lioness who reared young lions, symbolizing the kings of Israel. Ezekiel 19:2-3 states: "What a lioness was your mother among the lions! She lay down among the young lions; she reared her cubs. She brought up one of her cubs, and he became a young lion. After learning to tear his prey, he devoured men" . This imagery reflects the strength and potential of Israel's leaders, as well as their eventual downfall due to disobedience.

The lioness, like the bear, is also used to depict divine judgment. In Hosea 13:7-8, God declares His intention to come upon Israel like a lioness: "So I will pounce on them like a lion; like a leopard on the path I will lurk. Like a bear robbed of her cubs, I will attack them and tear open their chests. There I will devour them like a lioness, as a wild beast would tear them apart" . This passage illustrates the severity of God's judgment against His people for their unfaithfulness.

In summary, the bear and lioness in the Bible serve as powerful symbols of strength, authority, and divine judgment. They are used to convey the might of empires, the potential of Israel's leaders, and the seriousness of God's retribution against sin.