The Lion of the Tribe of Judah
We were examining the icons in the synagogue in Chorazin. One of our team members pointed to this icon and asked me what it was. The sign below it said it was a depiction of Medusa. Why would a depiction of Medusa be displayed in a third century Jewish synagogue? Jewish law even prohibits making portrayals of people. It violates the second commandment to not make any graven images (Exodus 20:4).
If this icon is not a person then what is it? This is one of the most important icons of the Early Church. This is an icon I had seen before. This is not Medusa; it is a lion. Why a lion?
The Early Church used the icon of a lion in reference to the Lion of the tribe of Judah. The Bible is very clear that Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Revelation 5:5 uses this phrase. John saw in his vision God holding a scroll that no man could open. John cried because no man could open it. Then the Lion of the tribe of Judah was able to open it. The Lion was a lamb that had been slain. Jesus is the Lamb of God that was slain for us (Revelation 5:9; 13:8).
The Lion was very important symbol of the Early Church. Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecy of the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:9-10). Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel) prophesied concerning his son Judah that he was a lion’s whelp. That the scepter (rulership) would not depart from his descendants nor a lawgiver (judge) until Shiloh comes. The Hebrew word translated Shiloh is literally “that which belongs to him.” The verse could read from the Hebrew, “The rulership will not turn away from Judah nor the position of judge until all that is His comes and His people gather together.” We know that God will gather all of His people together in the end times then He will set up his messianic kingdom.
The icon of the Lion not only reminds us of Jesus’ sacrifice as the Lamb of God, it also reminds us of His return as conquering king. He will gather His people together from all around the earth and set up His kingdom in Israel.
Why was this Early Church icon found in a third century Jewish synagogue in Israel? Before the Council of Nicea there was not a difference between the Jewish believers and the Gentile believers. They held the same practices and beliefs. They accepted Jesus as the Messiah while observing the Old Testament Law. The building in Chorazin that is called a synagogue is an Early Church building.
If this icon is not a person then what is it? This is one of the most important icons of the Early Church. This is an icon I had seen before. This is not Medusa; it is a lion. Why a lion?
The Early Church used the icon of a lion in reference to the Lion of the tribe of Judah. The Bible is very clear that Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Revelation 5:5 uses this phrase. John saw in his vision God holding a scroll that no man could open. John cried because no man could open it. Then the Lion of the tribe of Judah was able to open it. The Lion was a lamb that had been slain. Jesus is the Lamb of God that was slain for us (Revelation 5:9; 13:8).
The Lion was very important symbol of the Early Church. Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecy of the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:9-10). Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel) prophesied concerning his son Judah that he was a lion’s whelp. That the scepter (rulership) would not depart from his descendants nor a lawgiver (judge) until Shiloh comes. The Hebrew word translated Shiloh is literally “that which belongs to him.” The verse could read from the Hebrew, “The rulership will not turn away from Judah nor the position of judge until all that is His comes and His people gather together.” We know that God will gather all of His people together in the end times then He will set up his messianic kingdom.
The icon of the Lion not only reminds us of Jesus’ sacrifice as the Lamb of God, it also reminds us of His return as conquering king. He will gather His people together from all around the earth and set up His kingdom in Israel.
Why was this Early Church icon found in a third century Jewish synagogue in Israel? Before the Council of Nicea there was not a difference between the Jewish believers and the Gentile believers. They held the same practices and beliefs. They accepted Jesus as the Messiah while observing the Old Testament Law. The building in Chorazin that is called a synagogue is an Early Church building.
Notice the icons beside the lion icon at Chorazin (above). There is a sculpture of a lion, an icon of the four-leaf rosette, and an icon of the Shekinah glory of God. All of these icons are reflections of the fundamental elements of the Early Church. Notice the lion icon shown below. The inscription that accompanies it makes it clear that this lion is a symbol for the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
© Dr. Steven L Smith 2016