Topical Encyclopedia Introduction: Fishes hold significant symbolic and practical importance in the Bible, appearing in various contexts throughout the Old and New Testaments. They are often associated with sustenance, miracles, and teachings of Jesus Christ. The term "fish" or "fishes" is used to describe both literal aquatic creatures and metaphorical concepts within biblical narratives. Old Testament References: In the Old Testament, fish are mentioned primarily in the context of creation and sustenance. Genesis 1:20-22 describes the creation of sea creatures on the fifth day: "Then God said, 'Let the waters teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.' So God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters teemed, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good." Fish also appear in the context of dietary laws. Leviticus 11:9-12 outlines the types of aquatic creatures that are permissible for consumption: "Of all the creatures that live in the water, whether in the seas or the streams, you may eat any that have fins and scales. But anything in the seas or streams that does not have fins and scales, among all the swarming things and other living creatures in the water, you are to regard as unclean." New Testament References: The New Testament contains numerous references to fish, particularly in the Gospels, where they are often associated with the ministry of Jesus Christ. One of the most notable miracles involving fish is the feeding of the five thousand, as recorded in Matthew 14:17-21: "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered. "Bring them here to Me," Jesus said. And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over." Fish also play a role in the calling of the first disciples. In Matthew 4:18-19, Jesus calls Simon Peter and Andrew: "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.'" Symbolism and Metaphor: Fish are used metaphorically in the New Testament to represent the spread of the Gospel and the gathering of believers. The phrase "fishers of men" signifies the mission of the disciples to bring people to Christ. Additionally, the ichthys, or fish symbol, became an early Christian symbol representing Jesus Christ, derived from the Greek word for fish, ΙΧΘΥΣ, which is an acronym for "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior." Cultural and Historical Context: In the ancient Near East, fish were a staple food source, particularly in regions near bodies of water like the Sea of Galilee. Fishing was a common occupation, and fish markets were integral to daily life. The abundance of fish in biblical narratives reflects their importance in the diet and economy of the time. Conclusion: While the Bible does not provide exhaustive details about specific species of fish, the references to fish in both the Old and New Testaments highlight their significance in biblical history and theology. They serve as symbols of provision, faith, and the mission of spreading the Gospel. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) Plural of Finch.Strong's Hebrew 4685. matsowd -- siegeworks... Or (feminine) mtsowdah {mets-o-daw'}; or mtsodah {mets-o-daw'}; from tsuwd; a net (for capturing animals or fishes) -- also (by interchange for mtsad) a ... /hebrew/4685.htm - 5k Library The Wonderful Draught of Fishes The Miraculous Draught of Fishes. --Effect of the Miracle On Why God Has Blessed Men, Fishes, Flying Creatures, and not Herbs ... Of the Miracle which God Performed when St Anthony Being at Rimini ... On the Words of the Gospel, John vi. 9, Where the Miracle of the ... The Author Adapts the Mystery of the Number Seven (Made up of the ... Of the Question How it Can be Shown that the Narrative of the Haul ... Many are Ignorant as to This, and Ask for Miracles, which are ... By the Sea of Galilee - the Final Call of the First Disciples, and ... From the Miracle of the Feeding of the Multitude from Five Barley ... Thesaurus Fishes (32 Occurrences)...Fishes (32 Occurrences). Matthew 14:17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. ... And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. ... /f/fishes.htm - 16k Cakes (65 Occurrences) Fish (66 Occurrences) Brake (80 Occurrences) Blessing (357 Occurrences) Division (135 Occurrences) Broken (559 Occurrences) Fowls (61 Occurrences) Eucharist Taking (445 Occurrences) Resources How does the geologic timescale fit with the view of a young earth? | GotQuestions.orgWhat were the key events in the life of Jesus Christ? (Part 2) | GotQuestions.org In what ways was Moses like Jesus? | GotQuestions.org Fishes: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Fishes (32 Occurrences)Matthew 14:17 Matthew 14:19 Matthew 15:34 Matthew 15:36 Mark 6:38 Mark 6:41 Mark 6:43 Mark 8:7 Luke 5:6 Luke 5:9 Luke 9:13 Luke 9:16 John 6:9 John 6:11 John 21:6 John 21:8 John 21:10 John 21:11 1 Corinthians 15:39 James 3:7 Genesis 9:2 Numbers 11:22 Deuteronomy 33:23 1 Kings 4:33 Job 12:8 Psalms 8:8 Psalms 74:14 Ecclesiastes 9:12 Ezekiel 38:20 Hosea 4:3 Habakkuk 1:14 Zephaniah 1:3 Subtopics Fishes of Men Ignorant of Future Events Fishes of the Whole Population of Egypt Fishes of Those Ensnared by the Wicked Fishes used As Food by the Egyptians Fishes used As Food by the Jews Fishes: (Bad) of Mere Professors Fishes: Cannot Live Without Water Fishes: Different in Flesh from Beasts Fishes: Distinction Between Clean and Unclean Fishes: Man Given Dominion Over Fishes: Miracles Connected With: Dressed on the Shore Fishes: Miracles Connected With: Immense Draughts of Fishes: Miracles Connected With: Multiplying a Few Fishes: Miracles Connected With: Procuring Tribute Money From Fishes: Mode of Cooking Alluded To Fishes: No Likeness of, to be Made for Worship Fishes: Sold Near the Fish Gate at Jerusalem Fishes: Solomon Wrote the History of Fishes: Taken With: Often Suffered for Man's Sin Fishes: The People of Tyre Traded In Related Terms |
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