Topical Encyclopedia The term "creeping thing" is used in the Bible to describe a variety of small creatures that move close to the ground. These creatures are often mentioned in the context of creation, dietary laws, and purity regulations. The Hebrew word most commonly translated as "creeping thing" is "רֶמֶשׂ" (remes), which encompasses a broad category of small animals, including insects, reptiles, and other ground-dwelling creatures.Creation and Dominion In the creation narrative found in Genesis, "creeping things" are part of God's creative work on the sixth day. Genesis 1:24-25 states, "And God said, 'Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind.' And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good." Here, creeping things are included in the broader category of creatures that inhabit the earth, demonstrating their place in the created order. God granted humanity dominion over these creatures, as seen in Genesis 1:26 : "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.'" This dominion implies a responsibility to steward and care for all living things, including those that creep upon the earth. Dietary Laws and Purity The Mosaic Law provides specific instructions regarding creeping things, particularly in the context of dietary restrictions and ceremonial purity. Leviticus 11 outlines the clean and unclean animals, with particular attention to those that move along the ground. Leviticus 11:41-42 states, "Every creature that moves along the ground is detestable; it is not to be eaten. You are not to eat any creature that moves along the ground, whether it crawls on its belly or walks on four or more feet; for such creatures are detestable." These dietary laws served to set the Israelites apart from other nations and to instill a sense of holiness and obedience to God's commands. The distinction between clean and unclean animals, including creeping things, was a tangible expression of Israel's covenant relationship with God. Symbolism and Imagery Creeping things are sometimes used symbolically in Scripture to convey ideas of insignificance or uncleanness. In Ezekiel's vision of the abominations in the temple, creeping things are associated with idolatry and defilement. Ezekiel 8:10 describes, "So I went in and looked, and I saw all kinds of crawling creatures and detestable beasts and all the idols of the house of Israel carved all around the wall." Despite their often negative connotations, creeping things are also a testament to God's creative power and the diversity of life He has brought forth. They serve as a reminder of the intricate and interconnected nature of creation, where even the smallest creatures have their place and purpose. New Testament References In the New Testament, the concept of creeping things is revisited in the context of Peter's vision in Acts 10. In this vision, Peter sees a sheet lowered from heaven containing all kinds of animals, including creeping things. Acts 10:12-13 records, "It contained all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, as well as birds of the air. Then a voice said to him, 'Get up, Peter, kill and eat.'" This vision signifies the abolition of the dietary laws and the inclusion of Gentiles into the covenant community, emphasizing that God shows no partiality. Overall, the biblical references to creeping things highlight themes of creation, dominion, purity, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Creeping ThingCREEPING THING krep'-ing (remes, sherets; herpeton): Remes and sherets, with the root verbs ramas and sharats, are used without any sharp distinction for insects and other small creatures. Ramas means clearly "to creep," and is used even of the beasts of the forest (Psalm 104:20), while sharats is rather "to swarm." But in at least one passage (Leviticus 11:44), we have the noun, sherets, with the verb ramas; "with any manner of creeping thing that moveth upon the earth." The principal passages where these words occur are the accounts of the Creation and the Flood and the references to unclean animals in Leviticus and in the vision of Peter. In the last we have the word herpeton as the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew words (Acts 10:12). Winged creeping things (sherets ha-`oph, Leviticus 11:20), as well as the wingless, are unclean, but an exception is made in favor of the locusts, "which have legs above their feet, where-with to leap upon the earth." Greek 2062. herpeton -- a creeping thing ... a creeping thing. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: herpeton Phonetic Spelling: (her-pet-on') Short Definition: a creeping creature, reptile ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2062.htm - 6k Strong's Hebrew 7431. remes -- creeping things, moving things... Origin from ramas Definition creeping things, moving things NASB Word Usage creeping thing (5), creeping things (9), creeps (1), moving thing (1), swarms (1). ... /hebrew/7431.htm - 6k 8318. sherets -- swarmers, swarming things Library The Six Days' Work Described. 'Clear Shining after Rain' But I Maintain That, if He had the Patience to Use his Own ... After This, Wishing to Prove that There is no Difference Between ... Wide and Narrow Sense of the Word "Spirit. " This Conclusion Confirmed by the Usage of Holy Scripture in Its ... The Song of the Three Children The vision of Creation John iii. 6 But that He Judgeth all Things, this Answers to his Having ... Resources What is man / mankind / humanity? | GotQuestions.orgIs it wrong to kill spiders or step on bugs? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about animal/pet euthanasia? | GotQuestions.org Creeping: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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