What does the Bible say about mans role regarding animals?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that mankind, made in God’s image, is called to exercise wise, responsible dominion over animals as God’s creatures, never cruelly or selfishly. Genesis 1:26-28 grants human rule within God’s good creation, while Genesis 9:1-5 permits animals for food yet underscores the sacredness of life and human accountability to God. Proverbs 12:10 commends the righteous person who cares for an animal’s needs, and Deuteronomy 25:4 forbids needless deprivation even of a working ox. Scripture also calls for attentive stewardship, as Proverbs 27:23 shows. Animals display God’s wisdom and sustaining care, as Job 12:7-10 and Matthew 6:26 remind us, and Isaiah 11:6 points toward creation’s final peace under Christ’s reign.