Topical Bible: Reptiles: Lizard

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the Bible, lizards are mentioned primarily in the context of the Mosaic Law, where they are classified among the creatures that are considered unclean. The Hebrew word often translated as "lizard" is "leta'ah," which appears in the list of unclean animals in Leviticus 11:29-30. The Berean Standard Bible translates this passage as follows: "Of the animals that move along the ground, these are unclean for you: the weasel, the rat, any kind of great lizard, the gecko, the monitor lizard, the wall lizard, the skink, and the chameleon."

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Israel, the classification of animals into clean and unclean was a significant aspect of daily life and religious practice. Lizards, along with other small creatures that "move along the ground," were deemed unclean, meaning they were not to be eaten and contact with them required ritual purification. This classification was part of the broader Levitical code, which aimed to set the Israelites apart as a holy people dedicated to God.

The specific reasons for the unclean status of lizards and similar creatures are not explicitly stated in the biblical text. However, it is often understood within the framework of maintaining ritual purity and distinguishing the Israelites from surrounding nations. The laws concerning clean and unclean animals served as a constant reminder of the Israelites' covenant relationship with God and their call to holiness.

Symbolism and Interpretation

While lizards themselves are not heavily symbolized in the Bible, their inclusion in the list of unclean animals can be seen as part of the broader biblical theme of separation between the holy and the profane. The distinction between clean and unclean animals is sometimes interpreted as a metaphor for moral and spiritual purity, emphasizing the need for the people of God to avoid spiritual contamination.

In a broader theological context, the laws concerning unclean animals, including lizards, point to the holiness of God and the need for His people to be set apart. This theme is echoed in the New Testament, where the focus shifts from ritual purity to the purity of heart and conduct. The Apostle Peter, in Acts 10, receives a vision that challenges the traditional Jewish dietary laws, symbolizing the inclusion of Gentiles into the covenant community and the breaking down of barriers between clean and unclean.

Modern Considerations

In contemporary Christian thought, the dietary laws of the Old Testament, including those concerning lizards, are generally viewed as part of the ceremonial law fulfilled in Christ. As such, they are not typically observed by Christians today. However, the underlying principles of holiness, separation from sin, and dedication to God remain relevant.

The study of lizards in the Bible, while limited in scope, offers insight into the broader biblical themes of purity, holiness, and the distinct identity of God's people. It also reflects the historical and cultural context of ancient Israel, where the natural world was deeply intertwined with religious life and practice.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 11:30
And the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On the Educational Value of the Natural History Sciences.
... to define a beast from a reptile, and he cannot do it; but he says, things like
a cow or a horse are beasts, and things like a frog or a lizard are reptiles. ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/v on the educational value.htm

On the Work of the Sixth Day (One Article)
... feet are too short to life them far from the ground, as the lizard and tortoise ... genus,
to which the others are added as species, for even some reptiles, such as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/on the work of the 4.htm

Mosaic Cosmogony.
... the remains of a gigantic and luxuriant vegetation, and here reptiles and insects ...
land was inhabited by gigantic animals, half-toad, half-lizard, who hopped ...
/.../temple/essays and reviews the education of the world/mosaic cosmogony.htm

(And Last): Homeward Bound
... of Mollusca.' It is plain that of all animals, land-shells and reptiles give the ...
End was visible at a great distance; and as we neared the Lizard, we could see ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xvii and last homeward.htm

Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ...
... most useful, or most harmful, except according to the will of those who use it;
and as we have compounded healthful drugs from certain of the reptiles; so from ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xliii funeral oration on.htm