In the Bible, the term "creeping things" is used 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 symbolic imagery. The Hebrew word most commonly translated as "creeping things" is "רֶמֶשׂ" (remes), which encompasses a broad category of animals, including insects, reptiles, and other small creatures.

Creation and Dominion

The concept of "creeping things" first appears in the creation narrative in the Book of Genesis. On the sixth day of creation, God made the land animals, including creeping things, and gave humanity dominion over them. Genesis 1:24-26 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."

Dietary Laws

In the Mosaic Law, specific instructions were given regarding which creeping things were considered clean or unclean for consumption. Leviticus 11 provides detailed regulations on this matter. Leviticus 11:29-31 lists some of the unclean creatures: "Of the creatures that move along the ground, these are unclean for you: the mole rat, the mouse, any kind of great lizard, the gecko, the monitor lizard, the wall lizard, the skink, and the chameleon. Of all that move along the ground, these are unclean for you. Whoever touches them when they are dead will be unclean until evening."

Symbolic Imagery

Creeping things are also used symbolically in the Bible to represent various concepts. In Ezekiel's vision of the temple, creeping things are associated with idolatry and defilement. Ezekiel 8:10 describes a scene of abomination: "So I went in and looked, and I saw all kinds of crawling creatures and detestable beasts, along with all the idols of the house of Israel, carved all around the walls."

Noah's Ark

During the account of the Great Flood, creeping things are included among the creatures preserved on Noah's Ark. Genesis 7:8-9 notes: "Pairs of clean and unclean animals, of birds, and of all creatures that move along the ground came to Noah to enter the ark, as God had commanded him."

New Testament References

In the New Testament, creeping things are mentioned in the context of Peter's vision in Acts 10, which signifies the opening of the Gospel to the Gentiles. Acts 10:12-13 describes the vision: "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.'"

The term "creeping things" in the Bible serves as a reminder of God's creation, the distinctions between clean and unclean, and the broader spiritual lessons conveyed through these creatures.