What does the Bible say about killing insects?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible does not give a direct command about killing insects, but it affirms human dominion over the creatures God made and calls us to exercise that rule wisely and without cruelty. Genesis 1:26 gives humanity stewardship under God, so insects may be controlled when they threaten health, food, homes, or livestock. Leviticus 11:20-23 and Deuteronomy 14:19 classify certain winged insects in Israel's food laws, showing that God cares even about small creatures, though these ceremonial distinctions are not binding on Christians. Isaiah 7:18 and Psalms 118:12 use insects as images of swarming judgment or hostile danger. Christians should therefore avoid needless harm, give thanks for God's creation, and act prudently in protecting life and property.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 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.
- Genesis 1:26
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 birds of the sky, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
- Leviticus 11:20
"'All flying insects that walk on all fours are an abomination to you.
- Isaiah 7:18
It will happen in that day that Yahweh will whistle for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
- Luke 12:33
Sell that which you have, and give gifts to the needy. Make for yourselves purses which don't grow old, a treasure in the heavens that doesn't fail, where no thief approaches, neither moth destroys.
- Psalms 118:12
They surrounded me like bees. They are quenched like the burning thorns. In the name of Yahweh I cut them off.
- Deuteronomy 14:19
All winged creeping things are unclean to you: they shall not be eaten.
- Isaiah 40:22
[It is] he who sits above the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants of it are as grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens as a curtain, and spreads them out as a tent to dwell in;
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