What does the Bible say about animals?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that animals are good creatures made by God, placed under humanity’s responsible care, and governed by His wise purposes. In Genesis 1:24 and 1:30, God creates living creatures and provides for them, while Genesis 2:19-20 shows Adam naming them as part of his stewardship. After the flood, Genesis 9:2-3 grants people authority to use animals for food, yet this dominion is never license for cruelty or waste. Leviticus 11:3, 11:9, and 11:21 gave Israel dietary distinctions that taught holiness and obedience. Jeremiah 27:5 reminds us that all creatures belong to the Lord, who rules creation according to His will.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- Creations of Genesis 1:24; Genesis 2:19; Jeremiah 27:5
- Food of Genesis 1:30
- Named Genesis 2:20
- Ordained as food for man Genesis 9:2; Genesis 9:3; Leviticus 11:3; Leviticus 11:9; Leviticus 11:21; Leviticus 11:22; Deuteronomy 14:4-6; Deuteronomy 14:9; Deuteronomy 14:11; Deuteronomy 14:20
- God’s care of Genesis 9:9; Genesis 9:10; Deuteronomy 25:4; Job 38:41; Psalms 36:6; Psalms 104:11; Psalms 104:21; Psalms 147:9; Jonah 4:11; Matthew 6:26; Matthew 10:29; Luke 12:6
- Under the curse Genesis 3:14; Genesis 6:7; Genesis 6:17
- Suffer under divine judgments, sent upon man Jeremiah 7:20; Jeremiah 12:4; Jeremiah 21:6; Ezekiel 14:13; Ezekiel 14:17; Ezekiel 14:19-21; Joel 1:18-20
- Two of every sort preserved in the ark Genesis 6:19; Genesis 6:20; Genesis 7:2; Genesis 7:3; Genesis 7:5; Genesis 7:9; Genesis 7:11; Genesis 8:19
- Suffered the plagues of Egypt Exodus 8:17; Exodus 9:9; Exodus 9:10; Exodus 9:19; Exodus 11:5
- Perish at death Ecclesiastes 3:21; Ecclesiastes 12:7
- Possessed of devils Matthew 8:31; Matthew 8:32; Mark 5:13; Luke 8:33
- Clean and unclean Genesis 8:20; Leviticus 7:21; Leviticus 11; Leviticus 20:25; Deuteronomy 14:3-20; Acts 10:11-15; 1 Timothy 4:3-5
- Offered in sacrifice Genesis 4:4; Genesis 7:2-8; Genesis 8:20
- See OFFERINGS
- God’s control of Psalms 91:13; Isaiah 11:6; Isaiah 11:8; Isaiah 35:9; Luke 10:19
- Instruments of God’s will Exodus 8; Exodus 9; Exodus 10:1-20; Numbers 21:6; Numbers 22:28; Joshua 24:12; Jeremiah 8:17; Joel 1:4
- Belong to God Psalms 50:10-12
- Sent in judgment Leviticus 26:22; Numbers 21:6; Numbers 21:7; Deuteronomy 8:15; Deuteronomy 28:26; Ezekiel 5:17; Ezekiel 14:15; Ezekiel 32:4; Revelation 6:8
- Paul contends with 1 Corinthians 15:32
- Nature of Job 39; Psalms 32:9; Psalms 49:12; Ecclesiastes 3:18-21
- Habits of Job 12:7; Job 12:8; Job 37:8; Job 39; Job 40:20; Psalms 29:9; Psalms 104:20-25; Isaiah 13:21; Isaiah 13:22; Isaiah 34:14; James 3:7
- Menstruation of Jeremiah 2:24
- Facts about breeding Genesis 30:35-43; Genesis 31:8; Genesis 31:9
- Instincts of Deuteronomy 32:11; Job 35:11; Job 39; Job 40; Job 41; Psalms 59:6; Psalms 104; Proverbs 6:6-8; Proverbs 30:25-28; Jeremiah 8:7; Matthew 24:28
- Homes of Job 24:5; Job 37:8; Job 39; Psalms 104:20-25; Isaiah 34:14; Jeremiah 2:24; Jeremiah 50:39; Mark 1:13
- See BIRDS
- See CATTLE
- See FISH
- BEASTS SYMBOLICAL Isaiah 30:6; Daniel 7:11; Daniel 7:17; Daniel 7:19; Daniel 8:4; Acts 10:12; Revelation 4:6-9; Revelation 5:6-14; Revelation 6:1-7; Revelation 7:11; Revelation 11:7; Revelation 13
- CRUELTY TO INSTANCES OF Balaam Numbers 22:22-33
- Houghing horses 2 Samuel 8:4; 1 Chronicles 18:4
- See HOUGHING
- KINDNESS TO: INSTANCES OF
- Jacob, in erecting booths for his cattle Genesis 33:17
- People of Gerar, in providing tents for cattle 2 Chronicles 14:15
- LAWS CONCERNING Exodus 20:10; Exodus 21:28-36; Exodus 22:1-4; Exodus 23:5; Exodus 23:12; Leviticus 19:19; Deuteronomy 5:14; Deuteronomy 22:4; Deuteronomy 22:6; Deuteronomy 22:7; Deuteronomy 22:10; Deuteronomy 25:4
- Firstlings of
- See FIRSTBORN
- Man’s dominion over
- See MAN, DOMINION OF
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