Animals: Beasts Symbolical
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In the Bible, animals often serve as powerful symbols, conveying spiritual truths and moral lessons. The use of beasts in a symbolic manner is prevalent throughout both the Old and New Testaments, providing insight into the nature of God, humanity, and the spiritual realm.

Lion: The lion is frequently used as a symbol of strength, courage, and royalty. In the Old Testament, the tribe of Judah is likened to a lion, as seen in Genesis 49:9, "Judah is a young lion—my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion, he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?" This imagery is further developed in Revelation 5:5, where Jesus is referred to as the "Lion of the tribe of Judah," symbolizing His kingly authority and power.

Lamb: The lamb is a symbol of innocence, sacrifice, and redemption. In the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, lambs were offered as atonement for sin, prefiguring the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). In Revelation, the Lamb is a central figure, representing Christ's sacrificial death and victory over sin and death.

Serpent: The serpent is a symbol of deceit and evil, first appearing in Genesis 3 as the creature that tempts Eve in the Garden of Eden. This imagery is carried into the New Testament, where Satan is referred to as "that ancient serpent" (Revelation 12:9), highlighting his role as the deceiver and adversary of God’s people.

Eagle: The eagle symbolizes swiftness, strength, and divine protection. In Exodus 19:4, God describes His deliverance of Israel from Egypt with the words, "I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself." This imagery is echoed in Isaiah 40:31, where those who hope in the Lord "will soar on wings like eagles," signifying renewal and strength.

Sheep: Sheep are often used to symbolize God's people, who are in need of guidance and care. Psalm 23 famously begins, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want," illustrating the relationship between God and His followers. In the New Testament, Jesus refers to Himself as the "Good Shepherd" (John 10:11), emphasizing His role in leading and protecting His flock.

Beast: In apocalyptic literature, beasts often symbolize empires or rulers opposed to God. In Daniel 7, various beasts represent successive kingdoms, each with its own characteristics and influence. Similarly, in Revelation 13, the beast rising from the sea symbolizes a powerful, blasphemous entity that opposes God and persecutes His people.

Dove: The dove is a symbol of peace and the Holy Spirit. After the flood, Noah sends out a dove, which returns with an olive leaf, signaling the end of God's judgment (Genesis 8:11). In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus "like a dove" during His baptism (Matthew 3:16), symbolizing purity and divine approval.

These symbolic uses of animals in Scripture serve to communicate deeper spiritual realities, offering believers a richer understanding of God's nature and His relationship with creation. Through these symbols, the Bible conveys timeless truths that continue to resonate with readers today.
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Isaiah 30:6
The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from where come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches on the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures on the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.
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Daniel 7:11,17,19
I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
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Daniel 8:4
I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.
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Acts 10:12
Wherein were all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
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Revelation 4:6-9
And before the throne there was a sea of glass like to crystal: and in the middle of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
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Revelation 5:6-14
And I beheld, and, see, in the middle of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the middle of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
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Revelation 6:1-7
And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
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Revelation 7:11
And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
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Revelation 11:7
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
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Revelation 13:1
And I stood on the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads the name of blasphemy.
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Revelation 14:3,9,11
And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
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Revelation 15:2
And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
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Revelation 16:2,10-13
And the first went, and poured out his vial on the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore on the men which had the mark of the beast, and on them which worshipped his image.
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Revelation 17:1
And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying to me, Come here; I will show to you the judgment of the great whore that sits on many waters:
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Revelation 19:4,19,20
And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
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Revelation 20:4,10
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark on their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
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Library

Five Catechetical Lectures the Same Author,
... of Holies [2392] , we shall there know the symbolical meaning of ... also who dine on
the flesh of wild beasts from the ... but also the flesh of the animals which had ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/five catechetical lectures the same.htm

Faustus Avows his Disbelief in the Old Testament and his Disregard ...
... of worship, while it retains its symbolical authority ... in sacrifice is the slaughter
of animals, though the ... You are merciful to beasts, believing them to contain ...
/.../faustus avows his disbelief in.htm

The Protevangelium.
... against the visible instrument acquires a symbolical meaning ... necessarily imply that
the other animals are also ... words, "subtle above all the beasts," imply that ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the protevangelium.htm

The Priesthood of Christ
... their own demerits, for the beasts had not ... that, notwithstanding they offered those
animals, they in ... from which the typical and symbolical greatly differs. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration iv the priesthood of.htm

The Book of Enoch
... enemies are designated as wild beasts and birds of prey. The fallen angels are called
stars; and the colours of the animals are symbolical"white for purity ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of enoch.htm

The Cross and the Winepress.
... a dress made of the skins of beasts; and he ... they sacrificed on a stone altar some
animals which were ... trifles in these matters have a profound symbolical meaning ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter lv the cross and.htm

The Schoolboy of Madaura
... the noise of men and of beasts of burthen ... part of Augustin's work finds its symbolical
commentary here in ... but wizards, men changed into animals, animals, or men ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/v the schoolboy of madaura.htm

The Fear Felt by the Inhabitants of Jerusalem.
... Even the animals uttered mournful cries, and hid themselves; the ... to drop to the ground;
the beasts trembled and ... which reigned around was but symbolical of that ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xliv the fear felt.htm

The First vision "In Heaven": Chapters 4-5
... interpretation is that the Elders are symbolical of the ... they are full of eyes] The
word "beasts" is not ... they represent the four Gospels; but animals can hardly ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision in heaven .htm

Faustus Repels the Charge of Sun-Worship
... divided into rational and irrational, beasts and birds ... also in the flesh of animals,
which contaminates ... which there was also the symbolical anointing typical ...
/.../faustus repels the charge of.htm

Resources
What does it mean that God gave humanity dominion over the animals? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that a righteous person cares for the needs of animals (Proverbs 12:10)? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about Christians hunting animals for sport? | GotQuestions.org

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