The Theology of Bulls, Lions, and Dogs: Power and Divine Protection

Bulls, Lions, and Dogs in the Old Testament

Building on their symbolic roles, bulls, lions, and dogs in the Old Testament reflect ancient Israel's cultural values and theological frameworks through covenant, kingship, and social identity.

In Exodus, bulls symbolize covenantal strength and sacrifice, as seen in the Passover ritual (Exodus 12:6) and the tabernacle offerings (Exodus 29:38-46), embodying God's covenant with Israel. Lions represent royal authority and divine justice in Proverbs 28:1, where the righteous are "as bold as a lion," linking regal power to moral integrity. Dogs, meanwhile, appear in Psalms 22:16-21 as both outcasts and threats, yet also as loyal companions in Proverbs 26:11, highlighting their dual symbolic role.

These symbols overlap in their association with strength but contrast in their moral valence: bulls and lions align with divine purpose, while dogs navigate boundaries of loyalty and marginalization. This tension sets the stage for later biblical reflections on identity and divine justice.

Jesus as the Fulfillment of These Symbols in Revelation

Revelation 5:5–6 reimagines the symbols of the lion and the lamb to reveal Jesus’ paradoxical kingship and sacrifice.

In Revelation 5:5, John is told to "look! The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered," evoking the Old Testament lion as a symbol of royal authority (cf. Genesis 49:9–10). Yet the vision subverts expectations: the Lion is simultaneously a "lamb as though it had been slain" (Revelation 5:6), merging regal strength with sacrificial vulnerability. This duality reflects the OT’s interplay between bulls (covenantal sacrifice, Exodus 29:38–46) and lions (divine kingship, Proverbs 28:1), now unified in Christ’s person. The paradox underscores that true authority in the biblical narrative arises not through dominance but through redemptive surrender.

By embodying both lion and lamb, Jesus fulfills the OT symbols’ deeper theological logic: strength is perfected in humility, and kingship is realized through service. This reshapes how later readers interpret these animals in Scripture.

This dual symbolism in Revelation reframes the moral valence of the OT symbols, positioning Jesus as the ultimate "bull" (sacrificial substitute) and "lion" (sovereign ruler), while redefining "dogs" (once marginal, Psalms 22:16–21) as those claimed by His sacrifice. The vision invites readers to see power not as domination but as covenantal commitment, setting the stage for later reflections on communal identity in Christ.

What the Symbols Mean for Believers Today

These symbols challenge modern believers to embody courage, sacrificial love, and humility as foundational to their faith identity.

The lion (Proverbs 28:1) calls Christians to boldness in defending truth and facing trials with unshakable hope, such as standing for justice in difficult circumstances. The bull, symbolizing sacrifice (Exodus 29:38-46), invites believers to lay down their lives for others through acts of service, mirroring Christ’s redemptive death (Revelation 5:6). Dogs, often marginalized yet loyal (Proverbs 26:11), remind followers of Jesus to embrace humility, recognizing that true strength lies in selfless devotion rather than social status. Together, these symbols warn against prideful self-reliance while encouraging a faith that balances courage with compassion and sacrifice with simplicity.

Exploring Further

For deeper study, consider how these symbols appear in narratives of courage and humility.

In 1 Samuel 17:37, David declares, 'The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine,' illustrating the lion as a symbol of divine protection. Philippians 2:5-8 further reflects on humility through Christ's sacrificial example, aligning with the lamb's role in Revelation.