Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, the relationship between humans and animals undergoes a significant transformation following the Great Flood. Prior to the flood, the diet of humanity, as described in Genesis, was primarily 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 provision for human sustenance was vegetarian.However, after the flood, a pivotal change occurs. In Genesis 9:3 , God expands the dietary options for Noah and his descendants, saying, "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 divine pronouncement marks the first explicit permission for humans to consume animal flesh, signifying a new covenantal arrangement between God and humanity. The context of this permission is crucial. The flood had devastated the earth, and the post-diluvian world required a new order. By allowing the consumption of animals, God provided a means for survival and sustenance in a world that was being repopulated and restored. This provision also underscores the dominion mandate given to humanity in Genesis 1:28 , where God commands, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth." Despite this new allowance, there are stipulations. Genesis 9:4 introduces a critical restriction: "But you must not eat meat with its lifeblood still in it." This prohibition against consuming blood is significant and is reiterated in later Mosaic Law, emphasizing the sanctity of life and the symbolic representation of life in the blood (Leviticus 17:11). The post-flood permission to eat animals also foreshadows the dietary laws given to Israel, which further define clean and unclean animals (Leviticus 11). While these laws are specific to the covenant community of Israel, the initial grant to Noah and his descendants is universal, applying to all humanity. In summary, the post-flood permission for humans to consume animals represents a divine concession in response to the changed conditions of the earth. It reflects God's continued provision and care for humanity, while also establishing a framework for understanding the relationship between humans and the animal kingdom in a fallen world. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 9:3Every moving thing that lives shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Objection is Raised, Why, Then, was the Limit of Lawful Food ... The Noachic Covenant Chapter ix Concerning the Resurrection. Noah's Justice Mosaic Cosmogony. Of Living Creatures, of Man; Prometheus, Deucalion, the Parc??. A Treatise to Prove that no one Can Harm the Man who Does not ... Chapter vii The Life of God Resources What are some biblical examples of dream interpretation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the image of the beast? | GotQuestions.org Who is the beast of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org Beasts: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Beasts: Capable of Being Tamed Beasts: Clean used for Sacrifice Beasts: Clean: First Born of, not Redeemed Beasts: Clean: How Distinguished Beasts: Creation of, Exhibits God's Power Beasts: Devoid of Understanding Beasts: Differ in Flesh from Birds and Fishes Beasts: Domestic: Not to be Cruelly Used Beasts: Domestic: To be Taken Care of Beasts: Domestic: To Enjoy the Sabbath Beasts: Early Distinguished Into Clean and Unclean Beasts: Frequently Suffered on Account of the Sins of Men Beasts: Given to Man for Food After the Flood Beasts: Habitations of Dens and Caves Beasts: Habitations of Deserted Cities Beasts: Habitations of Under Spreading Trees Beasts: Herb of the Field Given To, for Food Beasts: History of, Written by Solomon Beasts: Instinctively Fear Man Beasts: Lessons of Wisdom to be Learned From Beasts: Made for the Praise and Glory of God Beasts: Man by Nature No Better Than Beasts: Many Kinds of, Domestic Beasts: Many Kinds of, Noisome and Destructive Beasts: No Likeness of, to be Worshipped Beasts: Not to be Eaten Alive or With Blood Beasts: Often Cut off for the Sins of Men Beasts: Often Used As Instruments of Punishment Beasts: People of Different Nations Beasts: Power Over, Given to Man Beasts: Received Their Names from Adam Beasts: Representations of, Worshipped by the Heathen Beasts: Subjects of God's Care Beasts: Supply Clothing to Man Beasts: That Died Naturally or Were Torn, not to be Eaten Beasts: Unclean: Caused Uncleanness when Dead Beasts: Unclean: First Born of, Redeemed Beasts: Unclean: How Distinguished Beasts: Unclean: Not offered in Sacrifice Related Terms |
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