How Netanyahu used a Biblical prophecy to attack Iran

Israel has called its military operation against Iran "Rising Lion", taking the name from a biblical verse that promises a victorious future for a powerful Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was photographed on Thursday putting a handwritten note into a crack of Jerusalem's Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, which in retrospect pointed to the looming strikes on Iran. His office on Friday released a photo of the note, which said "the people shall rise up as a lion".

The Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall, is a large, ancient stone wall located in the Old City of Jerusalem. It is a remnant of the Second Jewish Temple, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. The Western Wall is the closest accessible point to the original site of the Holy of Holies, the innermost and most sacred part of the Temple, where it was believed God's presence dwelled. Since Jews are not permitted to pray on the Temple Mount itself (due to religious restrictions and political tensions), the Western Wall serves as the central place of Jewish prayer and pilgrimage. It has come to symbolize the endurance and resilience of the Jewish people, surviving centuries of destruction, exile, and return.

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A well-known tradition is placing written prayers or wishes into the cracks of the wall, believing they are closer to God there. That's why Netanyahu put the handwritten note into a crack of the Western Wall.

The expression "Rising Lion" -- from the line "the people shall rise up as a lion" in Netanyahu's note -- comes from verse 23:24 of the Book of Numbers in the Bible: "Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain." This verse is part of the first oracle of Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet and diviner, where he foretells the strength and power of Israel, comparing it to a lion that will not rest until it has satisfied its hunger.

The Book of Numbers is the fourth book in the Bible. In this part of the story, the diviner named Balaam, who was a kind of prophet or seer known for his ability to bless as well as curse, is being asked by Balak, a king of Moab, to curse the people of Israel, God’s chosen people, because Balak sees them as a threat.

Instead of cursing them, Balaam ends up blessing them, because God tells him only to speak what He commands. This verse is part of one of those blessings, where Balaam describes the strength and power of Israel in poetic, symbolic language.

The verse means that Israel will be strong, fearless, and ready for action, just like a lion rising to hunt. What Balaam means is this: Israelites are like powerful lions. They won’t stop fighting until they’ve won. They are fierce and unstoppable. He poetically says that God is with them, so their enemies won’t stand a chance.

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Balaam gives more prophetic speeches, continuing to bless Israel instead of cursing them. He also predicts the downfall of Israel’s enemies, including Moab (Balak’s people), Edom and others. Most famously, he delivers a prophecy that is often seen as messianic by Jews and Christians: “A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel…”

Netanyahu's placement of the Biblical verse at the Western Wall served as a powerful prelude to the military action. It was a public declaration of Israel's intent and a call for divine support in its mission. The act resonated deeply within the Jewish community and served as a reminder of the historical and spiritual roots of the nation's resolve.

(With agency inputs)