Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "roaring" in the Bible is often used to describe a loud, deep, and prolonged sound, typically associated with animals such as lions. It can also metaphorically describe the tumultuous noise of a crowd or the overwhelming power of natural forces. In Scripture, roaring is frequently used to convey strength, fear, and the presence of danger or divine power.
Biblical References:1.
Roaring of Lions: The most common biblical imagery associated with roaring is that of a lion. The lion's roar is emblematic of power, authority, and sometimes impending judgment. In the book of Amos, the prophet uses the imagery of a lion's roar to signify the certainty of God's judgment: "The lion has roared—who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken—who will not prophesy?" (
Amos 3:8). Here, the roaring of the lion is a metaphor for the voice of God, which demands attention and reverence.
2.
Roaring as a Metaphor for Distress: Roaring is also used to describe the cries of individuals in distress or deep emotional turmoil. In
Psalm 22, a messianic psalm, David expresses his anguish with vivid imagery: "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning?" (
Psalm 22:1). The "words of groaning" can be understood as a form of roaring, expressing profound suffering and a plea for divine intervention.
3.
Roaring of the Sea: The Bible also uses roaring to describe the sound of the sea, symbolizing chaos and the overwhelming power of nature. In
Psalm 46, the psalmist speaks of God's protection amidst natural disasters: "though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge" (
Psalm 46:3). This imagery underscores God's sovereignty over creation, even when it seems tumultuous and uncontrollable.
4.
Roaring of Enemies: Roaring can also depict the threats and aggression of enemies. In
Psalm 74, the psalmist laments the destruction of the sanctuary by adversaries: "Your foes have roared within Your meeting place; they have set up their banners as signs" (
Psalm 74:4). The roaring of the enemies signifies their defiance and the desecration of what is holy.
5.
Satan as a Roaring Lion: In the New Testament, the apostle Peter warns believers of the devil's tactics using the imagery of a roaring lion: "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (
1 Peter 5:8). This vivid metaphor serves as a caution to Christians to remain vigilant and steadfast in their faith, recognizing the persistent and threatening nature of spiritual adversaries.
Theological Implications:Roaring in the Bible often serves as a powerful symbol of authority, whether divine or adversarial. It can represent God's voice, calling for repentance and reverence, or the menacing presence of evil, requiring vigilance and faith. The imagery of roaring underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the need for believers to rely on God's strength and protection.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Roar.
2. (n.) A loud, deep, prolonged sound, as of a large beast, or of a person in distress, anger, mirth, etc., or of a noisy congregation.
3. (n.) An affection of the windpipe of a horse, causing a loud, peculiar noise in breathing under exertion; the making of the noise so caused. See Roar.
Greek
2279. echos -- a noise, sound... Word Origin a late form of a prim. word eche (noise, sound) Definition a noise,
sound NASB Word Usage blast (1), noise (1), report (1),
roaring (1).
...5612. oruomai -- to roar, howl
... Word Origin onomatop., a prim. verb Definition to roar, howl NASB Word Usageroaring
(1). roar. Middle voice of an apparently primary verb; to "roar" -- roar....
Strong's Hebrew
7581. sheagah -- aroaring... 7580, 7581. sheagah. 7582 . a
roaring. Transliteration: sheagah Phonetic
Spelling: (sheh-aw-gaw') Short Definition:
roaring. Word
...1999. hamullah -- perhaps rainstorm, a rushing orroaring sound
... perhaps rainstorm, a rushing orroaring sound. Transliteration: hamullah or hamullah
Phonetic Spelling: (ham-ool-law') Short Definition: tumult....
769. Arnon -- "aroaring stream," a wadi and stream in Moab
... 768, 769. Arnon. 770 . "aroaring stream," a wadi and stream in Moab.
Transliteration: Arnon Phonetic Spelling: (ar-nohn') Short Definition: Arnon....
5099. naham -- growling (of a lion)
... Word Origin from naham Definition growling (of a lion) NASB Word Usage growling
(1),roaring (1).roaring. From naham; a snarl --roaring. see HEBREW naham....
5100. nehamah -- a growling, groaning
... agitation. Word Origin from naham Definition a growling, groaning NASB Word
Usage agitation (1),roaring (1). snarling,roaring. Feminine...
5098. naham -- to growl, groan
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to growl, groan NASB Word Usage groan
(2), growl (1), growls (1),roaring (1). mourn,roaring....
7580. shaag -- to roar
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to roar NASB Word Usage groan (1), roar (6),
roar mightily (1), roared (3),roaring (4), roars (4). mightily, roar....
7588. shaon -- a roar (of waters, etc.), din, crash, uproar
... etc.), din, crash, uproar NASB Word Usage big noise (1), clamor (1), destruction
(1), din (1), noise (1), revelers* (1), riotous (1),roaring (2), rumbling (3...
1993. hamah -- to murmur, growl, roar, be boisterous
... an uproar (1), make an uproar (2), making such an uproar (1), mourning (1), murmur
(1), noisy (1), pounding (1), roar (5), roar like theroaring (1), roars (2...
Library
Against "TheRoaring Lions"
... SAINT AUGUSTIN IV AGAINST "THEROARING LIONS". One day (this was soon after
he became bishop) Augustin went to visit a Catholic farmer...
The Pharisees are the Bulls: theRoaring Lion is Herod or the...
... Chapter CIII."The Pharisees are the bulls: theroaring lion is Herod or the devil....
They opened their mouth upon me as a ravening androaring lion....
Psalm 22
... why so far. Art thou from helping me, and from. my words thatroaring are? ^2All
day, my God, to thee I cry,.... Like to a lion ravening. androaring for his prey....
And as She Stood Looking Towards London, Diamond Saw that She was...
... There was a greatroaring, for the wind was dashing against London like a sea; but
at North Wind's back Diamond, of course, felt nothing of it all....
Outward Bound
... their heads torn off in spray, their broad backs laced with ripples, and each, as
it passed, gave us a friendly onward lift away into the 'roaring forties,' as...
The Snare of the Fowler
... Satan is the fowler; he has been so and is so still; and if he does not now attack
us as theroaring lion,roaring against us in persecution, he attacks us as...
The Present Distress of Nations.
... be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress
of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the wavesroaring; men's hearts...
A Prophet's Woes
... Theirroaring shall be like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they
shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry it away safe, and none...
Life on Board
... Between nine and ten we went to bed, where neither theroaring of the sea nor the
motion of the ship could take away the refreshing sleep which God gave us....
A Means to Discern this Imperfect Love.
... Samson had not his strength always but we are told in the Scripture that the lion
of the vines of Thamnatha, coming towards him, raging androaring, the spirit...
Thesaurus
Roaring (28 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Roaring (28 Occurrences).
... Be watchful. Your adversary the
devil, walks around like a
roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
...Roar (53 Occurrences)
... 7. (vi) To make a loud noise in breathing, as horses having a certain
disease. SeeRoaring, 2.... 9. (n.) The sound ofroaring. 10....
Roareth (9 Occurrences)
... YLT). Job 4:10 Theroaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion,
And the teeth of the young lions, are broken. (See JPS)....
Waves (43 Occurrences)
... Luke 21:25 There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety
of nations, in perplexity for theroaring of the sea and the waves; (WEB...
Seas (40 Occurrences)
... Psalms 65:7 who stills theroaring of the seas, theroaring of their waves, and
the turmoil of the nations. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Lions (50 Occurrences)
... Job 4:10 Theroaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, the teeth of
the young lions, are broken.... Isaiah 5:29 Theirroaring will be like a lioness....
Lion (92 Occurrences)
... Theroaring 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...
Noise (126 Occurrences)
... compare Sirach 40:13); Latin vox, "voice" (2 Esdras 5:7). For "noise" (Psalm
65:7 twice), the Revised Version (British and American) has "roaring"; for "make...
Growl (11 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Job 4:10 Theroaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce
lion, the teeth of the young lions, are broken. (See NIV)....
Tearing (11 Occurrences)
... And removed is a rock from its place? (YLT). Psalms 22:13 They open their mouths
wide against me, lions tearing prey androaring. (WEB YLT NIV)....
Resources
What is the significance of lions in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgHow does Satan tempt us? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to make a joyful noise unto the Lord? | GotQuestions.orgRoaring: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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