Roaring lion from palace of Darius ▲ Marie-Lan Nguyen/Wikimedia Commons, courtesy of the Louvre Lions have roared (2:15). The Hebrew term for “lions” likely refers to Babylon or perhaps even to Egypt. It is used here metaphorically for the enemies who appear on the horizon. Lion figures are often associated with Assyria, the dangerous enemy of the previous centuries. But now Babylon has overtaken Assyria. Many lion figures were placed at the entrance of Assyrian and Babylonian palaces and temples.