Growling
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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. ...
/hebrew/5099.htm - 6k

5100. nehamah -- a growling, groaning
... 5099, 5100. nehamah. 5101 . a growling, groaning. Transliteration: nehamah
Phonetic Spelling: (neh-haw-maw') Short Definition: agitation. ...
/hebrew/5100.htm - 6k

1899. hegeh -- a rumbling, growling, moaning
... 1898, 1899. hegeh. 1900 . a rumbling, growling, moaning. Transliteration:
hegeh Phonetic Spelling: (heh'-geh) Short Definition: mourning. ...
/hebrew/1899.htm - 6k

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 as growling; the yelp ...
/.../the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter v the evolution of.htm

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 and growling. ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xxxvii christian unity.htm

Introduction
... me. Get you gone therefore, for with you I have nothing to do.". Hearing
this he went off grumbling and growling in his rage. And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/introduction.htm

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 in growling and blaming the boss. ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter v the kingdom of.htm

Early Training.
... the fatal tree. Rushing back, she almost carried Louise (while the growling
continued), and they were soon up the hill. In the house ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter iii early training.htm

A Few Nights after This, Diamond Woke up Suddenly...
... It was a loud, angry voice, now growling like that of a beast, now raving like that
of a madman; and when Diamond came a little wider awake, he knew that it ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 18 a few nights.htm

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 ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/10 and whence finally do.htm

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 seven books of arnobius against the heathen/20 it was our purpose.htm

The Fan-Bearer's Quest
... Pharaoh for his harem"". Mentu interrupted him with a growling imprecation
and Hotep's fair face darkened. "Yesterday morning he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxii the fan-bearers quest.htm

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 and growling while the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/treasure and pearl.htm

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. ...
/g/growling.htm - 7k

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 by growling. ...
/g/growl.htm - 9k

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 ...
/g/growls.htm - 7k

Growled (1 Occurrence)

/g/growled.htm - 6k

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 ...
/m/mutter.htm - 9k

Abase (7 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 31:4 For thus says Yahweh to me, "As the lion and the young lion growling
over his prey, if a multitude of shepherds is called together against him ...
/a/abase.htm - 10k

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 ...
/d/disturbed.htm - 15k

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 ...
/l/lion.htm - 46k

Shepherds (55 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 31:4 For thus says Yahweh to me, "As the lion and the young lion growling
over his prey, if a multitude of shepherds is called together against him ...
/s/shepherds.htm - 24k

Dismayed (69 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 31:4 For thus says Yahweh to me, "As the lion and the young lion growling
over his prey, if a multitude of shepherds is called together against him ...
/d/dismayed.htm - 27k

Resources
What is the Toronto Blessing? | GotQuestions.org

What are the Christian themes in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader? | GotQuestions.org

Growling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Growling (4 Occurrences)

Proverbs 19:12
The wrath of a king 'is' a growl as of a young lion, And as dew on the herb his good-will.
(See RSV)

Proverbs 20:2
The fear of a king 'is' a growl as of a young lion, He who is causing him to be wroth is wronging his soul.
(See NAS RSV)

Proverbs 28:15
A growling lion, and a ranging bear, 'Is' the wicked ruler over a poor people.
(YLT)

Isaiah 31:4
For thus says Yahweh to me, "As the lion and the young lion growling over his prey, if a multitude of shepherds is called together against him, will not be dismayed at their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them, so Yahweh of Armies will come down to fight on Mount Zion and on its heights. Jeremiah
(WEB JPS ASV DBY)

Subtopics

Growling

Related Terms

Growling (4 Occurrences)

Grown (77 Occurrences)

Growled
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