This 500-year-old bowl is decorated with recumbent lions and calves before the symbol of the High God An/Anu (BLMJ 4564). Photo: David Harris.
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:6–9)
This unique serpentine bowl from southern Mesopotamia (c. 3300–2900 BC) appears to express this hope. The lions and calves are shown lying down peacefully one after the other. They speak of a realm in which all creatures live in harmony or shalom.
The animals on the bowl are crouched before a bundle of stylized reeds like the reeds carved into a door at the base of the Ziggurat of Anu, the High God of the early Sumerians. Dating to the late 4th millennium BC, this temple towered approximately 40 feet above the flat plain of Uruk (Erech) and would have been visible from a great distance. The word ziggurat is related from the ancient Akkadian words zaqâru - to rise high, and ziqqurratu - rising building.
I Kings 10:18,19 tells of a great ivory throne with two lions standing on the arm rests. This also described the throne of the Coptic Pope.
The lion is referred to in the names of some biblical rulers that have the ar affix. It signifies both the lion and the ruler. Ari was an honorific for a man of distinction and power. The Hebrew word ari (or aryeh), the Akkadian aria, the Aramaic arya, and the Sanskrit word aryeh mean "noble." In Genesis 49:9, Jacob refers to his son Judah as Gur Aryeh גּוּר אַרְיֵה יְהוּדָה, a "young lion."
The totem of Shobal's clan was the lion, fierce in its youthful strength. Shobal is one of the Horite Hebrew rulers listed in the Genesis 36.
The "fattened calf" is a Messianic reference. The golden calf fabricated by Aaron incorporated the sun resting between the horns as a sign of the divine appointment. Below is picture of what it would have looked like.
The animals on the bowl are crouched before a bundle of stylized reeds like the reeds carved into a door at the base of the Ziggurat of Anu, the High God of the early Sumerians. Dating to the late 4th millennium BC, this temple towered approximately 40 feet above the flat plain of Uruk (Erech) and would have been visible from a great distance. The word ziggurat is related from the ancient Akkadian words zaqâru - to rise high, and ziqqurratu - rising building.
Lions are historically a symbol of royal and/or priestly authority. Solomon's throne was flanked by two lions, as described in II Chronicles 9:18: "There were six steps to the throne and a footstool in gold attached to the throne, and arms on each side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the arms." Solomon's was one of several seats of wisdom mentioned in the Bible.
I Kings 10:18,19 tells of a great ivory throne with two lions standing on the arm rests. This also described the throne of the Coptic Pope.
The lion is referred to in the names of some biblical rulers that have the ar affix. It signifies both the lion and the ruler. Ari was an honorific for a man of distinction and power. The Hebrew word ari (or aryeh), the Akkadian aria, the Aramaic arya, and the Sanskrit word aryeh mean "noble." In Genesis 49:9, Jacob refers to his son Judah as Gur Aryeh גּוּר אַרְיֵה יְהוּדָה, a "young lion."
The totem of Shobal's clan was the lion, fierce in its youthful strength. Shobal is one of the Horite Hebrew rulers listed in the Genesis 36.
The Igbo of Nigeria call their scribes the Ar or Aro. The late Dr. Catherine Acholonu explained, "In Nigeria the caste under reference is the Ar/Aro caste of Igbo Eri priest-kings, who were highly militarized in their philosophy."
Edward Hicks' "Peaceable Kingdom"(1834). National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC.
A calf is a natural prey for a hungry lion. The image of lions and calves dwelling together in peace suggests a rule of peace and plenty. Psalm 22:27-28 envisions a world where all peoples and nations turn to the Lord and acknowledge His rule.
Among Abraham's cattle-herding ancestors the calf was sacrificed and eaten to solemnize covenants, ratify treaties, to commemorate the resolution of disputes and to express reconciliation.
Calves are not sacrificed where God has made peace through the Blood of His Son. Paul articulates this in Colossians 1:20, stating that God was pleased to reconcile all things to Himself "through the blood of his cross." God has made peace between Himself and humanity, and between all creation. Soon, dear readers, this reality will be evident to all.
Related reading: The Lion and Ancient Rulers; Christ's Third Day Resurrection
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