In the biblical narrative, the consumption of animals as food is addressed in various contexts, reflecting both divine instruction and cultural practices. The Bible provides guidance on which animals are permissible for consumption and under what circumstances, often linking dietary laws to broader themes of holiness and obedience to God.

Creation and the Initial Diet:
Initially, in the Garden of Eden, the diet prescribed by God to Adam and Eve was plant-based. Genesis 1:29 states, "Then God said, 'Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food.'" This indicates that the original diet for humanity did not include animal flesh.

Post-Flood Permission:
After the flood, God expanded the dietary options for humanity. In Genesis 9:3 , God tells Noah, "Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you all things." This marks a significant shift, allowing the consumption of animal flesh, but with the stipulation in Genesis 9:4 , "But you must not eat meat with its lifeblood still in it."

Mosaic Law and Dietary Restrictions:
The Mosaic Law further refines the dietary regulations concerning animals. Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 provide detailed lists of clean and unclean animals. Clean animals, which could be consumed, included those that chew the cud and have a split hoof, such as cattle, sheep, and goats. Fish with fins and scales were also considered clean. In contrast, animals like pigs, camels, and shellfish were deemed unclean and not to be eaten.

Leviticus 11:46-47 summarizes, "This is the law regarding animals, birds, all living creatures that move in the water, and all creatures that crawl along the ground. You must distinguish between the clean and the unclean, between animals that may be eaten and those that may not."

Sacrificial System:
Certain animals also played a role in the sacrificial system, which was central to Israelite worship. While these animals were not consumed in the same manner as regular food, parts of some sacrifices were eaten by the priests or the offerer. For example, the peace offering allowed for portions to be eaten by the offerer and their family (Leviticus 7:15-16).

New Testament Perspective:
In the New Testament, the dietary laws are revisited, particularly in the context of the early church's expansion to include Gentile believers. In Acts 10, Peter's vision of a sheet with all kinds of animals signifies the removal of traditional dietary restrictions, as God declares, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean" (Acts 10:15). This vision is understood to symbolize the inclusion of Gentiles, but it also reflects a broader understanding of dietary freedom.

The Apostle Paul addresses dietary practices in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8, emphasizing that believers should not judge one another over food, as "the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).

Conclusion:
The biblical perspective on animals as food encompasses a progression from an initial plant-based diet to the inclusion of animal flesh post-flood, with specific regulations under the Mosaic Law, and ultimately to a New Testament context where dietary restrictions are relaxed in light of the gospel's inclusivity. Throughout, the consumption of animals is framed within the broader themes of obedience, holiness, and community harmony.Genesis 1:30
And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creeps on the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
Nave's Topical Index

4967. sphage -- slaughter
... slaughter. From sphazo; butchery (of animals for food or sacrifice, or (figuratively)
of men (destruction)) -- slaughter. see GREEK sphazo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4967.htm - 6k

3551. nomos -- that which is assigned, hence usage, law
... From a primary nemo (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law
(through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3551.htm - 7k

Whether the Semen is Produced from Surplus Food?
... A sign of this, according to the Philosopher, is that animals of great size, which
require much food, have little semen in proportion to the size of their ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the semen is produced.htm

Argument. --He First of all Asserts that the Law is Spiritual; and ...
... Are the animals therefore unclean? But what else is it to say that they are not
clean, than that the law has separated them from the uses of food? ...
/.../novatian/on the jewish meats/chapter ii argument he first of.htm

Argument. --And Thus Unclean Animals are not to be Reproached ...
... In the animals it is the characters, and doings, and wills of men that are depicted. ...
chew the cud; that is, if they ever have in their mouth as food the divine ...
/.../novatian/on the jewish meats/chapter iii argument and thus unclean.htm

Whether Adam in the State of Innocence had Mastership Over the ...
... falcon. Nor does Bede's gloss on Gn.1:30, say that trees and herbs were
given as food to all animals and birds, but to some. Thus ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether adam in the state 2.htm

Jesus is Born in Bethlehem
... Christ was born. Mary wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in
the manger in the place where the animals' food was kept. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter ii jesus is born.htm

The Creation of Terrestrial Animals.
... True tyrant of animals, he, in his natural arrogance, admits but few to share his
honours. He disdains his yesterday's food and never returns to the remains of ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily ix the creation of.htm

Whether it is Unlawful to Kill any Living Thing?
... Now the most necessary use would seem to consist in the fact that animals use plants,
and men use animals, for food, and this cannot be done unless these be ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is unlawful to 2.htm

Whether Some Part of the Food is Changed into True Human Nature?
... human body can only be the result of the food being changed into the true human
nature. Fourthly, because, since man does not differ from animals and plants in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether some part of the.htm

Of the Ark and the Deluge, and that we Cannot Agree with those who ...
... suited all. For we know how many animals whose food is flesh eat also vegetable
products and fruits, especially figs and chestnuts. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 27 of the ark and.htm

For that which is Offered to Idols is Sacrificed to Demons...
... along with us. And the reason which forbids the use of strangled animals
for food is also applicable to the use of blood. And it may ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxx for that which.htm

How did Noah fit all the animals on the Ark? | GotQuestions.org

What made some animals clean and others unclean (Genesis 7)? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God also destroy animals in the Flood (Genesis 6-8)? | GotQuestions.org

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