Lion Tribes
Solomon’s throne had six steps (1 Kings 10), with two lions flanking each step. That means 12 lions. Twelve lions are twelve tribes.
But not all the tribes are leonine. Look back at Genesis 49, and you’ll find a donkey tribe (Issachar), a serpent tribe (Dan), a doe tribe (Naphtali), a wolf tribe (Benjamin). In Jacob’s blessing, only Judah is the lion’s whelp.
Under Solomon, all the tribes have become leonine. They are being incorporated into the leonine tribe of Judah, which is of course the king of the tribes. Under a great king, the whole nation becomes a nation of kings.
Extrapolate typologically to your heart’s content.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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