Topical Encyclopedia The topic of animals being ordained as food for humanity is rooted in the biblical narrative, beginning with the account of creation and extending through various covenants and laws given to the people of Israel. The Bible provides a framework for understanding the role of animals in God's creation and their place in human sustenance.Creation and the Initial Diet In the Genesis account, God initially provides a plant-based diet for both humans and animals. Genesis 1:29-30 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. And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.' And it was so." This passage indicates that the original diet for both humans and animals was vegetarian. Post-Flood Permission The permission to consume animal flesh is explicitly granted after the Flood. In Genesis 9:3-4 , 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. But you must not eat meat with its lifeblood still in it." This marks a significant shift in dietary regulations, where God extends the provision of food to include animals, with the stipulation that the blood, representing life, must not be consumed. Mosaic Law and Dietary Restrictions Under the Mosaic Law, specific dietary laws were given to the Israelites, distinguishing between clean and unclean animals. Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 provide detailed lists of animals that could be consumed and those that were forbidden. Clean animals 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. Birds and insects had their own criteria for cleanliness. These dietary laws served multiple purposes, including health, ceremonial purity, and setting the Israelites apart from other nations. The consumption of clean animals was permitted, while unclean animals were to be avoided. New Testament Perspective In the New Testament, the dietary restrictions of the Mosaic Law are re-evaluated. Jesus Himself declared all foods clean in Mark 7:18-19 : "Are you still so dull? He asked. Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated." This teaching is further reinforced in Acts 10, where Peter receives a vision of a sheet containing all kinds of animals and is told, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean" (Acts 10:15). The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of food in his letters, emphasizing that dietary practices should not be a source of division among believers. In 1 Timothy 4:4-5 , Paul writes, "For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer." Conclusion The biblical narrative demonstrates a progression in the understanding and regulation of animals as food for humanity. From the initial plant-based diet in Eden to the post-Flood permission to consume animal flesh, and finally to the New Testament's affirmation of freedom in dietary choices, the Bible provides a comprehensive view of animals as part of God's provision for human sustenance. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 9:2,3And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be on every beast of the earth, and on every fowl of the air, on all that moves on the earth, and on all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. Nave's Topical Index Leviticus 11:3,9,21,22 Deuteronomy 14:4-6,9,11,20 Library Argument. --He First of all Asserts that the Law is Spiritual; and ... Whether Adam in the State of Innocence had Mastership Over the ... Argument. --And Thus Unclean Animals are not to be Reproached ... Whether it is Unlawful to Kill any Living Thing? Whether the New Law Directed Man Sufficiently as Regards Interior ... Whether all Acts of virtue are Prescribed by the Natural Law? Whether a Man who is Condemned to Death May Lawfully Defend ... The Struggle for Life The Voice of the Blood of Christ Whether in the State of Innocence There Would have Been Generation ... Resources What does it mean that God gave humanity dominion over the animals? | GotQuestions.orgWhat 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 Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Animals: Cruelty to Houghing Horses Animals: Instruments of God's Will Animals: Kindness to Jacob, in Erecting Booths for his Cattle Animals: Kindness to People of Gerar, in Providing Tents for Cattle Animals: Ordained As Food for Man Animals: Suffer Under Divine Judgments, Sent Upon Man Animals: Suffered the Plagues of Egypt Animals: Two of Every Sort Preserved in the Ark Pack Animals used for Transporting Army Supplies Select Readings: The Animals of the Field Related Terms |
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