Numbers 23:24

23:24 Indeed, the people will rise up like a lioness,

and like a lion raises himself up;

they will not lie down until they eat their ¹  prey,

and drink the blood of the slain.” ² 

Numbers 24:9

24:9 They crouch and lie down like a lion,

and as a lioness, ³  who can stir him?

Blessed is the one who blesses you,

and cursed is the one who curses you!’”

[23:24]  ¹ tn The pronoun “their” has been supplied for clarity; it is not present in the Hebrew text.

[23:24]  ² sn The oracle compares Israel first to a lion, or better, lioness, because she does the tracking and hunting of food while the lion moves up and down roaring and distracting the prey. But the lion is also the traditional emblem of Judah, Dan and Gad, as well as the symbol of royalty. So this also supports the motif of royalty as well as power for Israel.

[24:9]  ³ tn On the usage of this word see HALOT 517 s.v. לָבִיא.