Rescued From The Lion's Paw - the Motifs of Lions and Bears in 1 Sam 17:34-37
Rescued From The Lion's Paw - the Motifs of Lions and Bears in 1 Sam 17:34-37
Author(s): Aleksandar DanilovićSubject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Theology and Religion, Biblical studies
Published by: Asociaţiunea Transilvană pentru Literatura Română şi Cultura Poporului Român - ASTRA
Keywords: David and Goliath; symbol; Ancient Near East; archaeology; Old Testament; humor;
Summary/Abstract: When it comes to lions as a symbol in the Bible, and generally, in the Ancient Near East, numerous pages were written about it. On the other hand, only a few were dedicated to bears. However, when it comes to the lions and bears in the story of David and Goliath and young David's bragging about his endeavor, scholars have not paid much attention to it. Why this combination of lions and bears? Why not wolves and leopards? They were a greater threat to the shepherds of that time. Perhaps our author has something else in mind, especially if we know how large role lions played in the Ancient Near East's royal ideology, even up to the Hellenistic period. Can this usage of lions and bears tell us something more about the story itself? Why and when was it written? And what was its goal?
Journal: Astra Salvensis - revista de istorie si cultura
- Issue Year: 9/2021
- Issue No: 17
- Page Range: 73-90
- Page Count: 17
- Language: English