Lion-like men of Moab- A creature of Bible and Myth

Since ancient times, we know about stories of mythical creatures in every part of the world. We often take these stories as metaphor or fables but still, some people can argue that this is feasible proof of human-hybrids or even an ancient not-human civilization: the Nephilim. The Lion like Man of Moab may be one of those out of the normal proof. Besides, beyond the Bible and Myth, there’s some science related to Lion like Men.

Ariyel of Moab on the Bible

On the Bible are some references about this creatures:

”  The Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them: the same were the mighty men that were of old, the men of renown.”                                                                      Génesis 6:4

“This was how it was in ancient times when a proud race of giants was dying away. The hope of the world escaped on such a boat under your guidance and left the world a new generation to carry on the human race.”                                         Wisdom 14:6

“And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, he slew the two sons of Ariel of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow.                                             II Samuel 23:20

Genesis 6:4 talks about Nephilim as different of Men and that they came into the daughters of men having children who were the mighty men of the old. Those beings are described in Wisdom 14:6 as prideful. No wonder that the word pride relates to lions. The direct reference is found in II Samuel 23:20 were they are called Ariel which means “lions of God” or “lion-like”. If we take the narration literal, the lions of God may be proof of human-hybrids. But the Bible isn’t the only source where we found this Lion like Men.

Lion-like Mens in Cultures

There are many cultures that describe these creatures. The Sumerian legend of Urmahlullo refers to a ruthless lion-man race. On Babylon, there were warriors with lion heads and foot of birds. In Nubia, the Meroitics worshiped a warrior with a lion head who was named Apedemak. The Egyptians had Sekhmet, the Indians have Narasimha and the list go on.

The most ancient reference about this creatures is an ivory sculpture Löwenmensch figurine who dates about 35 to 40 thousands years ago and is associated is associated with the  Aurignacian Culture. As this archaeological finding are many other deities and even we must consider the lion-man skull.

The Lion Face Syndrome

The Lion Face Syndrome or Leontiasis Ossea is a rare medical condition that is not a disease but a symptom of Paget’s disease, fibrous dysplasia, hyperparathyroidism and renal osteodystrophy. In the common form, the maxilla is progressively increasing leading the person to have future problems on sight and breathe. A surgeon from Imperial College London, after studying the Great Sphinx, thinks that it represents a man suffering leontiasis ossea.

Could be this Syndrome the reason of the Aryal of Moab and all myths about Lion like Men?

Conclusion

As we go deep into the research, the Lion Man Syndrome seems to be the most likely answer to those myths. Although, the investigations about other creatures like the Nephilim and human hybrids have been leaving more mystery in our hands that we must reconsider our most logical thoughts when looking for answers to the unknown.

References

• Gary Wayne: Origins Of the Giant Lion-like Men Of Moab
•  Lion Like Men of Moab: Hybrids In The Holy Land
• Leontiasis Ossea – Wikipedia
• Lion Warrior by koutanagamori by Deviant Art
• Lion-man – Wikipedia
• BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages

What is your theory about it? Do you know something more that you may like to share? Leave your opinions in the comments section below.