Lion imagery in 1 Maccabees 3:4 : Septuagint conference articles (LXXSA 2014)

A very interesting case of lion imagery appears in 1 Macc 3:4. In this verse, the poet compares Judas Maccabee to a lion and a roaring cub. These similes merit closer investigation as part of the narrator's characterisation of Judas as one of the narrative's main protagonists and as unique examples of lion images in early Jewish literature. This study undertakes such an investigation and concludes that the lion images communicate the fearsomeness of Judas, his power to dominate his enemies and to protect his people. They make a small contribution to the narrator's portrayal of Judas in 1 Macc 3:1-26 as a mighty warrior whose military feats against his enemies are in service of his people and win him great renown.