Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, reptiles are among the creatures that God created and placed under the dominion of man. This concept is rooted in the creation account found in the Book of Genesis, where God grants humanity authority over all living creatures. Genesis 1:26-28 states: "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, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.' So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and 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.'"Reptiles, as creatures that "crawl upon the earth," are included in this mandate. The Hebrew word often translated as "creeping things" or "creatures that crawl" (רֶמֶשׂ, remes) encompasses a variety of small animals, including reptiles. This dominion implies a stewardship role, where humanity is responsible for the care and management of these creatures, reflecting God's sovereign rule over creation. The Bible also references reptiles in various contexts, often highlighting their characteristics. For instance, in Leviticus 11, reptiles are listed among the animals considered unclean for consumption under the Mosaic Law. Leviticus 11:29-30 specifies: "Of the creatures 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." This classification underscores the distinctiveness of reptiles within the created order and the specific dietary laws given to the Israelites. Reptiles also appear in symbolic and metaphorical contexts within Scripture. The serpent, a type of reptile, is notably featured in the account of the Fall in Genesis 3, where it is used as a vessel for Satan's temptation of Eve. This narrative has profound theological implications, as it introduces sin into the world and sets the stage for the redemptive work of Christ. The serpent's role in this account has led to its association with cunning and deceit throughout biblical literature. In the New Testament, Jesus refers to serpents in His teachings, using them as symbols of wisdom and caution. In Matthew 10:16 , He instructs His disciples: "Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." Here, the serpent's shrewdness is presented as a positive trait to be emulated in the context of navigating a hostile world. Overall, reptiles in the Bible are depicted as part of God's creation, subject to human dominion, and serve as symbols with varied meanings across different biblical texts. Their presence in Scripture highlights the complexity and diversity of the natural world, as well as the responsibility entrusted to humanity to govern it wisely. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 1:26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Conversion of Cornelius. His Gospel What Carey did for Science --Founder of the Agricultural and ... Letter cxxv. To Rusticus. Chapter i Ancient Chaldaea The Reaction against Egypt Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ... Mosaic Cosmogony. The Gods of Egypt Resources What does the Bible say about dinosaurs? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Reptilian conspiracy? | GotQuestions.org What is the great deception in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Reptiles: Cockatrice or Basilisk Reptiles: Flying Fiery Serpent Reptiles: Jews Condemned for Worshipping Reptiles: Made for Praise and Glory of God Reptiles: No Image of Similitude of, to be Made for Worshipping Reptiles: Placed Under the Dominion of Man Reptiles: Solomon Wrote a History of Reptiles: Unclean and not Eaten Reptiles: Worshipped by Gentiles Related Terms |
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