What does the Bible say about insects?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible presents insects as creatures under God’s wise rule, serving in His creation, His judgments, and His provision for human life. Genesis 1:30 includes creeping things among the living creatures sustained by God. Leviticus 11:20-23 distinguishes clean from unclean winged insects for Israel’s ceremonial diet, permitting certain locusts while forbidding others, and Leviticus 11:20-30 teaches Israel holiness through these covenantal distinctions. God could also use insects as instruments of discipline, as Deuteronomy 7:20 speaks of hornets and 2 Chronicles 7:13 of locusts. Yet His judgments were meant to lead His people to humble prayer, repentance, and renewed dependence on His mercy. Matthew 3:4 shows locusts as ordinary food in John the Baptist’s wilderness calling.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Leviticus 11:20
"'All flying insects that walk on all fours are an abomination to you.
- Genesis 1:30
To every animal of the earth, and to every bird of the sky, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food." And it was so.
- Leviticus 11:20-23
[20] "'All flying insects that walk on all fours are an abomination to you. [21] Yet you may eat these: of all winged creeping things that go on all fours, which have legs above their feet, with which to hop on the earth. [22] Even of these you may eat: any kind of locust, any kind of katydid, any kind of cricket, and any kind of grasshopper. [23] But all winged creeping things which have four feet, are an abomination to you.
- Leviticus 11:20-30
[20] "'All flying insects that walk on all fours are an abomination to you. [21] Yet you may eat these: of all winged creeping things that go on all fours, which have legs above their feet, with which to hop on the earth. [22] Even of these you may eat: any kind of locust, any kind of katydid, any kind of cricket, and any kind of grasshopper. [23] But all winged creeping things which have four feet, are an abomination to you. [24] "'By these you will become unclean: whoever touches the carcass of them shall be unclean until the evening. [25] Whoever carries any part of their carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening. [26] "'Every animal which parts the hoof, and is not cloven-footed, nor chews the cud, is unclean to you. Everyone who touches them shall be unclean. [27] Whatever goes on its paws, among all animals that go on all fours, they are unclean to you. Whoever touches their carcass shall be unclean until the evening. [28] He who carries their carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening. They are unclean to you. [29] "'These are they which are unclean to you among the creeping things that creep on the earth: the weasel, the rat, any kind of great lizard, [30] the gecko, and the monitor lizard, the wall lizard, the skink, and the chameleon.
- 2 Chronicles 7:13-14
[13] If I shut up the sky so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; [14] if my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
- Deuteronomy 7:20
Moreover Yahweh your God will send the hornet among them, until those who are left, and hide themselves, perish from before you.
- Matthew 3:4
Now John himself wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
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