The bat is a creature mentioned in the Bible primarily in the context of dietary laws and symbolic imagery. In the Scriptures, the bat is classified among the unclean animals that the Israelites were forbidden to eat. This classification is found in the Old Testament, specifically in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy.

Leviticus 11:19 :
"And the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat."

Deuteronomy 14:18 :
"The stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat."

In these passages, the bat is listed among birds and other flying creatures that are considered unclean. The inclusion of the bat in this list highlights the broader biblical principle of distinguishing between clean and unclean animals, a distinction that was central to the dietary laws given to the Israelites. These laws were part of the covenantal relationship between God and His people, serving both practical and symbolic purposes in maintaining holiness and separation from other nations.

Beyond dietary laws, the bat is also mentioned in a symbolic context in the book of Isaiah. Here, the imagery of the bat is used to convey a message of judgment and the futility of idolatry.

Isaiah 2:20 :
"In that day men will cast away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and gold, the idols they made to worship."

In this prophetic passage, the bat is associated with darkness and hidden places, symbolizing the worthlessness and shame of idol worship. The casting away of idols to the bats and moles signifies a rejection of false gods and a turning away from practices that are contrary to the worship of the one true God. The imagery underscores the theme of divine judgment against idolatry and the ultimate triumph of God's righteousness.

The bat, as depicted in these scriptures, serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commandments and the rejection of practices that lead away from His truth. The biblical references to the bat, though few, contribute to the broader narrative of holiness, judgment, and the call to worship God alone.Leviticus 11:19
And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.
Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 14:18
And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 2:20
In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;
Nave's Topical Index

The Helvetic Consensus Formula. AD 1675.
... 1. The literal inspiration of the Scriptures and the integrity of the ... 6. The actual
vocation to salvation never was absolutely general (numquam absolute ... Bat. ...
/.../ 61 the helvetic consensus.htm

A Summary of Experience and a Body of Divinity
... all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether ... with them in love
to, their souls, bat he would ... own ways of entrance; but in general it first ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/a summary of experience and.htm

The Reformed Confessions.
... with the Symbolum Apostolicum, as the basis of a general consensus, supported ... viz.,
A Harmony of Christian Doctrine, compiled from the Scriptures and the ... Bat. ...
/.../ 50 the reformed confessions.htm

The Arminian Controversy. AD 1604-1619.
... Bat.1629; and other editions. ... Grotius was condemned by the States-General to perpetual
imprisonment, but ... but what he could prove from the Scriptures, and what ...
/.../ 65 the arminian controversy.htm

The Second Book
... interested in the case of men in general, than of ... God beside thee that careth for
all, bat being righteous ... Behold how often the Scriptures have shown in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the second book.htm

The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... When the comparative study of the Scriptures was first advocated there were ... In general,
it may be said that during the pre-Mosaic ... (2) The name Sha-bat-tu has ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter v the old testament.htm

Consolation Proportionate to Spiritual Sufferings
... is something extremely comforting in the sacred Scriptures, and in ... thy heart to Christ,
Satan spread his bat-like-wings ... a man say, "There is our general; he is ...
/.../consolation proportionate to spiritual sufferings.htm

Footnotes
... Bat.1686."Ed.]. ... 27th of August, 1647, the committee gave in a Report to the General
Assembly, to ... that there is in it the best collection of scriptures he knows ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm

Calvin's Work.
... He conceived the idea of a general Evangelical Alliance which ... and historical aspect
of the Scriptures, and reduced ... character, is no created substance, bat it is ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 57 calvins work.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... heaven's gates off the hinges,' 'a bat,' 'an angel ... and of this supreme faculty, the
scriptures teach, that ... All he had was instructions concerning his duty, and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm

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