sha.chal names a lion, whether used in direct description or as a figure of threat, pursuit, and strength.

The term consistently identifies a lion: it occurs in comparisons for threatening pursuit or action, and in scenes involving its roar, movement, presence on a road, or being trodden underfoot.

1. Lion in comparisons and encounter scenes · dominant

   The singular absolute noun identifies the lion in comparisons of threatening action in Hosea 13:7 and Hosea 5:14; in Hosea 5:14 the APB renders the clause "I myself am like a lion to Ephraim." It also names the lion in concrete encounter scenes: in Job 28:8 the APB renders that "the lion did not advance upon it," while Proverbs 26:13 places a lion in the road and Psalm 91:13 places it beneath the addressee's feet.

   Hosea 13:7Hosea 5:14Job 10:16Job 28:8Proverbs 26:13Psalm 91:13

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB regularly presents the term with "lion," including comparisons in Hosea 13:7 and Hosea 5:14 and a road hazard in Proverbs 26:13. It also uses related wording such as "lions" in Job 4:10 and "young lion" in Psalm 91:13; these are translation renderings rather than definitions.