In the Bible, animals play a significant role in the narrative of creation, human history, and divine revelation. They are depicted as part of God's creation, serving various purposes, from companionship and labor to symbols in prophetic visions and sacrificial offerings.

Creation and Purpose

Animals were created by God on the fifth and sixth days of creation, as recorded in Genesis. On the fifth day, God created the creatures of the sea and the birds of the air: "So God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters swarmed, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good" (Genesis 1:21). On the sixth day, God created the land animals: "And God said, 'Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creeping things, and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.' And it was so" (Genesis 1:24).

Animals were created to inhabit the earth alongside humans, and they were given the ability to reproduce according to their kinds. They were also placed under the dominion of humanity: "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over the livestock and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it'" (Genesis 1:26).

Symbolism and Sacrifice

Throughout the Bible, animals are often used symbolically. For example, the serpent in Genesis 3 represents temptation and sin, while the lamb is a symbol of innocence and sacrifice, most notably in the Passover narrative and as a foreshadowing of Christ, the "Lamb of God" (John 1:29).

The sacrificial system in the Old Testament heavily involved animals. The Law of Moses prescribed various animal sacrifices for atonement, thanksgiving, and other religious purposes. Leviticus 1-7 details the types of offerings, including burnt offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings, each requiring specific animals such as bulls, goats, sheep, and birds.

Prophetic and Apocalyptic Imagery

Animals are also prominent in prophetic and apocalyptic literature. In the book of Daniel, beasts represent kingdoms and empires (Daniel 7). Similarly, the book of Revelation uses animal imagery to convey spiritual truths and future events. For instance, the four living creatures around the throne of God are described with features of a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle (Revelation 4:7).

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The Bible provides guidance on the treatment of animals, emphasizing humane and ethical considerations. Proverbs 12:10 states, "A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty" . The Mosaic Law includes provisions for the welfare of animals, such as allowing them to rest on the Sabbath (Exodus 23:12) and not muzzling an ox while it treads out the grain (Deuteronomy 25:4).

Eschatological Vision

In the eschatological vision of the new creation, animals are depicted as part of the harmonious existence that will be restored. Isaiah 11:6-9 presents a vision of peace where "the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat" , symbolizing the reconciliation of creation under God's ultimate reign.

Animals, as part of God's creation, reflect His creativity, serve His purposes, and are woven into the fabric of biblical theology, illustrating the interconnectedness of all creation under the sovereignty of God.