In the context of the Bible, "game" typically refers to wild animals hunted for food. The practice of hunting and consuming game is mentioned in various passages, reflecting its significance in the daily life and sustenance of ancient peoples.

Old Testament References

The earliest mention of game is found in the account of Esau, the son of Isaac and Rebekah. Esau is described as "a skillful hunter, a man of the field" (Genesis 25:27). His hunting skills were highly valued by his father, Isaac, who had a particular fondness for the game Esau brought home. In Genesis 27:3-4 , Isaac instructs Esau, "Now then, take your weapons—your quiver and bow—and go out into the field to hunt some game for me. Prepare for me the kind of tasty food I love and bring it to me to eat, so that I may bless you before I die."

The dietary laws given to the Israelites also address the consumption of game. Leviticus 17:13 states, "When any man from the house of Israel or any foreigner living among them eats any animal or bird that may be eaten, he must drain its blood and cover it with dirt." This command underscores the importance of proper preparation and respect for the life of the animal, aligning with the broader Levitical laws concerning clean and unclean foods.

Symbolism and Metaphor

Game and hunting are sometimes used metaphorically in the Scriptures. For instance, in Proverbs 12:27 , it is written, "A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession." Here, the act of roasting game is used to illustrate the value of diligence and the proper use of resources.

In a more negative light, hunting imagery is employed to describe the actions of the wicked. Psalm 10:9 says, "He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the poor; he catches the poor in his net." This verse uses the metaphor of a hunter to depict the predatory nature of the wicked, highlighting the moral and ethical dimensions of hunting as a pursuit.

Cultural and Historical Context

Hunting was a common practice in the ancient Near East, not only for sustenance but also as a demonstration of skill and bravery. The ability to provide game was a mark of a capable and resourceful individual. This cultural backdrop is evident in the biblical narratives, where hunting is often associated with strength and provision.

The Bible's treatment of game and hunting reflects a balance between the practical needs of sustenance and the ethical considerations of taking animal life. The emphasis on proper preparation and respect for God's creation is consistent with the broader biblical themes of stewardship and responsibility.

Conclusion

The concept of game in the Bible encompasses both the literal practice of hunting for food and the symbolic use of hunting imagery to convey moral and ethical lessons. Through its various references, the Bible provides insight into the cultural practices of ancient times while also imparting timeless principles regarding diligence, provision, and respect for life.1. (n.) Crooked; lame; as, a game leg.

2. (v. i.) Sport of any kind; jest, frolic.

3. (n.) A contest, physical or mental, according to certain rules, for amusement, recreation, or for winning a stake; as, a game of chance; games of skill; field games, etc.

4. (n.) The use or practice of such a game; a single match at play; a single contest; as, a game at cards.

5. (v. i.) That which is gained, as the stake in a game; also, the number of points necessary to be scored in order to win a game; as, in short whist five points are game.

6. (v. i.) In some games, a point credited on the score to the player whose cards counts up the highest.

7. (n.) A scheme or art employed in the pursuit of an object or purpose; method of procedure; projected line of operations; plan; project.

8. (v. i.) Animals pursued and taken by sportsmen; wild meats designed for, or served at, table.

9. (a.) Having a resolute, unyielding spirit, like the gamecock; ready to fight to the last; plucky.

10. (a.) of or pertaining to such animals as are hunted for game, or to the act or practice of hunting.

11. (n.) To rejoice; to be pleased; -- often used, in Old English, impersonally with dative.

12. (n.) To play at any sport or diversion.

13. (n.) To play for a stake or prize; to use cards, dice, billiards, or other instruments, according to certain rules, with a view to win money or other thing waged upon the issue of the contest; to gamble.

2339. thera -- a hunting, prey
... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: thera Phonetic Spelling: (thay'-rah) Short Definition:
hunting, entrapping Definition: hunting, entrapping; prey, game; a net ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2339.htm - 6k6718a. tsayid -- hunting, game
... 6718, 6718a. tsayid. 6718b . hunting, game. Transliteration: tsayid Short
Definition: game. Word Origin from tsud Definition hunting ...
/hebrew/6718a.htm - 5k

6718. tsayid -- hunting, game
... 6717, 6718. tsayid. 6718a . hunting, game. Transliteration: tsayid Phonetic
Spelling: (tsah'-yid) Short Definition: catch. catch ...
/hebrew/6718.htm - 5k

2760. charak -- perhaps to scorch, parch
... roast. A primitive root; to braid (ie To entangle or snare) or catch (game) in a
net -- roast. 2759, 2760. charak. 2761 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2760.htm - 5k

99. agem -- sad
... 98, 99. agem. 100 . sad. Transliteration: agem Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-game') Short Definition: grieved. Word Origin from the same ...
/hebrew/99.htm - 6k

How Jacob Deceived his Father
... man who stayed about the tents. Isaac loved Esau, for he was fond of game;
but Rebekah loved Jacob. Once when Jacob was preparing ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/how jacob deceived his father.htm

The Bad Squire
... 'A labourer in Christian England, Where they cant of a Saviour's name, And yet waste
men's lives like the vermin's For a few more brace of game. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the bad squire.htm

A Liberal Education: and Where to Find It.
... Suppose it were perfectly certain that the life and fortune of every one of us would,
one day or other, depend upon his winning or losing a game at chess. ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/iii a liberal education and.htm

The First Games
... by instinct, the encyclopaedic knowledge of his age, who found himself at his ease
amidst the deepest abstractions, did, at the beginning, take life as a game? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iv the first games.htm

Ulrich Von Hutten's Song.
... When rich men felt secure,. They yet have lost the game, I ween,. ... No courtiers'
crafts shall me affright,. Though deep the game they've played; ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/ulrich von huttens song.htm

After the Synod, on the Death of Alexander, Athanasius is ...
... Rufinus relates, that this [Athanasius] when quite a boy, played with others of
his own age at a sacred game: this was an imitation of the priesthood and the ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter xv after the synod on.htm

1 Corinthians xiii. 11
... of none of these things brings us of necessity any nearer to real thoughtfulness,
such as alone gives wisdom, than the knowledge of a well-contrived game. ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture iii 1 corinthians xiii.htm

The Love of Rameses
... The company, which was large, had fallen into easy attitudes; an exciting game of
drafts, or a story-teller, or a beauty, attracting groups here and there over ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxv the love of.htm

The Teen Boy and Missions
... A young man, who happened to be present, was appealed to for a new game, and he
taught them to "skin the snake." It "caught on" immediately, and the group of ...
/.../alexander/the boy and the sunday school/xvi the teen boy and.htm

The Son of the Murket
... "Hath he forsworn us?". "I saw him to-day," Nechutes ventured, without raising his
eyes from the game, "when we were fowling on the Nile below the city. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xvii the son of.htm

Game (11 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Crooked; lame; as, a game leg. ... 4. (n.) The use or practice of such a game;
a single match at play; a single contest; as, a game at cards. ...
/g/game.htm - 10k

Trap (35 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A machine or contrivance that shuts suddenly, as with a spring, used
for taking game or other animals; as, a trap for foxes. ...
/t/trap.htm - 19k

Set (6715 Occurrences)
... 22. (vt) To value; to rate; -- with at. 23. (vt) To point out the seat or position
of, as birds, or other game; -- said of hunting dogs. 24. ...
/s/set.htm - 20k

Pool (25 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A game at billiards, in which each of the players stakes a certain sum,
the winner taking the whole; also, in public billiard rooms, a game in which ...
/p/pool.htm - 40k

Chase (14 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To pursue for the purpose of killing or taking, as an enemy, or game;
to hunt. ... 3. (vt) To pursue eagerly, as hunters pursue game. ...
/c/chase.htm - 12k

Quarry (5 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A heap of game killed. 5. (n.) The object of the chase; the animal
hunted for; game; especially, the game hunted with hawks. ...
/q/quarry.htm - 8k

Move (113 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To transfer (a piece or man) from one space or position to another,
according to the rules of the game; as, to move a king. ...
/m/move.htm - 38k

Play (61 Occurrences)
... careless. 3. (n.) To contend, or take part, in a game; as, to play ball;
hence, to gamble; as, he played for heavy stakes. 4. (n ...
/p/play.htm - 28k

Cat
... 5. (n.) An old game; (a) The game of tipcat and the implement with which it
is played. See Tipcat. (c) A game of ball, called, according ...
/c/cat.htm - 8k

Point (106 Occurrences)
... 25. (n.) The attitude assumed by a pointer dog when he finds game; as, the dog came
to a point. ... 36. (n.) To indicate or discover by a fixed look, as game. 37. ...
/p/point.htm - 40k

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