Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "growling" is often associated with the sounds made by animals, particularly lions, and is used metaphorically to describe certain human emotions or divine actions. The imagery of growling is employed to convey a sense of power, threat, or deep emotion.
Biblical References:1.
Isaiah 5:29 : "Their roaring is like that of a lion; they roar like young lions. They growl as they seize their prey and carry it off with no one to rescue it." In this passage, the prophet Isaiah uses the imagery of lions growling to describe the impending judgment and the ferocity of the invading armies. The growling signifies the imminent danger and the powerlessness of those who are being attacked.
2.
Isaiah 31:4 : "For this is what the LORD has said to me: 'As a lion or young lion growls over its prey—and though a band of shepherds is called out against it, it is not terrified by their shouting or subdued by their noise—so the LORD of Hosts will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights.'" Here, the growling of a lion is likened to the LORD's determination and strength in defending His people. The growling signifies divine protection and the futility of opposing God's will.
3.
Psalm 59:6 : "They return at evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city." In this verse, the psalmist describes the wicked as growling or snarling like dogs, emphasizing their malicious intent and persistent threat. The growling here is indicative of hostility and danger posed by the enemies of the righteous.
Symbolism and Interpretation:·
Power and Authority: Growling, particularly of lions, is often symbolic of power and authority. In the biblical context, it can represent the might of God or the strength of an adversary. The growling of a lion is a reminder of the sovereignty and majesty of God, who is often depicted as the Lion of Judah.
·
Judgment and Warning: The growling sound serves as a warning of impending judgment. Just as a lion growls before attacking, the prophetic use of growling in Scripture often precedes divine judgment or the execution of justice.
·
Fear and Intimidation: Growling can also evoke fear and intimidation, reflecting the emotional response of those who are under threat. It serves as a metaphor for the fearsome nature of certain situations or the overwhelming presence of adversaries.
Theological Implications:From a theological perspective, the use of growling in the Bible underscores the themes of divine justice, protection, and the ultimate authority of God. It serves as a reminder of the power of God to both protect and judge, and the futility of resisting His will. The imagery of growling invites believers to trust in God's strength and to seek refuge in His protection, knowing that He is both a fierce defender and a righteous judge.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. e.) of Growl.
Strong's Hebrew
5099. naham --growling (of a lion)... 5098, 5099. naham. 5100 .
growling (of a lion). Transliteration: naham
Phonetic Spelling: (nah'-ham) Short Definition:
growling.
...5100. nehamah -- agrowling, groaning
... 5099, 5100. nehamah. 5101 . agrowling, groaning. Transliteration: nehamah
Phonetic Spelling: (neh-haw-maw') Short Definition: agitation....
1899. hegeh -- a rumbling,growling, moaning
... 1898, 1899. hegeh. 1900 . a rumbling,growling, moaning. Transliteration:
hegeh Phonetic Spelling: (heh'-geh) Short Definition: mourning....
Library
The Evolution of Language
... Mr. Darwin has detected four or five modulations in the bark of the dog: "the bark
of eagerness, as in the chase; that of anger as well asgrowling; the yelp...
Christian Unity.
... with each other so long as no little bone comes in the way"some little money
matter"and then there is no end to the snarling and snapping andgrowling....
Introduction
... me. Get you gone therefore, for with you I have nothing to do.". Hearing
this he went off grumbling andgrowling in his rage. And...
The Kingdom of God: Its Tasks
... Evidently the sympathy of Jesus was with the two men who hustled, and not with
the fellow who took it out ingrowling and blaming the boss....
Early Training.
... the fatal tree. Rushing back, she almost carried Louise (while thegrowling
continued), and they were soon up the hill. In the house...
A Few Nights after This, Diamond Woke up Suddenly...
... It was a loud, angry voice, nowgrowling like that of a beast, now raving like that
of a madman; and when Diamond came a little wider awake, he knew that it...
And Whence, Finally, do You Know Whether all These Images which...
... and, of course, as here that figure of yours, so there the deity himself [4637]
is a mere mask and face, without the rest of the body,growling with fiercely...
It was Our Purpose to Leave Unnoticed those Mysteries Also into...
... [4393] Lit., "riding upon"--inequitare. [4394] Lit., "most open.". [4395]
Subsessoris. [4396] Lit., "growling"--fremitum. [4397] The ms....
The Fan-Bearer's Quest
... Pharaoh for his harem"". Mentu interrupted him with agrowling imprecation
and Hotep's fair face darkened. "Yesterday morning he...
Treasure and Pearl
... a man's nature, and leave all the rest, if I may so say, like the beasts in a menagerie
whose turn has not yet come to be fed, yelping andgrowling while the...
Thesaurus
Growling (4 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Growling (4 Occurrences).
... (See NAS RSV). Proverbs 28:15
A
growling lion, and a ranging bear, 'Is' the wicked ruler over a poor people.
...Growl (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To utter a deep guttural sound, as an angry dog;
to give forth an angry, grumbling sound. 2. (vt) To express bygrowling....
Growls (2 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 31:4 For thus saith the LORD unto me: Like as the lion, or the young lion,
growling over his prey, though a multitude of shepherds be called forth...
Growled (1 Occurrence)
Mutter (6 Occurrences)
... mut'-er (haghah (Isaiah 8:19; Isaiah 59:3)): An onomatopoetic word, used of the
growling of a lion (Isaiah 31:4), of the "mourning" of a dove (Isaiah 38:14...
Abase (7 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 31:4 For thus says Yahweh to me, "As the lion and the young liongrowling
over his prey, if a multitude of shepherds is called together against him...
Disturbed (30 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 31:4 For thus saith the LORD unto me: Like as the lion, or the young lion,
growling over his prey, though a multitude of shepherds be called forth...
Lion (92 Occurrences)
... The roaring of the lion is often mentioned (Job 4:10 Psalm 104:21 Isaiah 31:4 (the
Revised Version (British and American) "growling"); Jeremiah 51:38 Ezekiel 22...
Shepherds (55 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 31:4 For thus says Yahweh to me, "As the lion and the young liongrowling
over his prey, if a multitude of shepherds is called together against him...
Dismayed (69 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 31:4 For thus says Yahweh to me, "As the lion and the young liongrowling
over his prey, if a multitude of shepherds is called together against him...
Resources
What is the Toronto Blessing? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the Christian themes in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader? | GotQuestions.orgGrowling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
