12 Bible Verses About Cannibalism

Written by: Evelyn Johnson
Published on:

Bible verses about cannibalism

Here are twelve powerful Bible verses about cannibalism:

1. Leviticus 26:29 – “And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat.”
2. Deuteronomy 28:53 – “And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the Lord thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee.”
3. Jeremiah 19:9 – “And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend in the siege and straitness, wherewith their enemies, and they that seek their lives, shall straiten them.”
4. Lamentations 2:20 – “Behold, O Lord, and consider to whom thou hast done this. Shall the women eat their fruit, and children of a span long? shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord?”
5. Ezekiel 5:10 – “Therefore the fathers shall eat the sons in the midst of thee, and the sons shall eat their fathers; and I will execute judgments in thee, and the whole remnant of thee will I scatter into all the winds.”
6. Micah 3:3 – “Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron.”

7. 2 Kings 6:28-29 – “And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow. So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.”
8. Isaiah 9:20 – “And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm.”
9. Isaiah 49:26 – “And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.”
10. Zechariah 11:9 – “Then said I, I will not feed you: that that dieth, let it die; and that that is to be cut off, let it be cut off; and let the rest eat every one the flesh of another.”
11. Matthew 24:19 – “And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!”
12. Luke 23:29 – “For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.”

What does the bible say about cannibalism?

The Bible generally condemns cannibalism as a sinful and abhorrent practice.

It is seen as a violation of the sanctity of human life and the dignity of the body, which is created in the image of God.

Cannibalism is often associated with extreme hunger or punishment for disobedience, but it is never condoned as a legitimate or acceptable behavior.

The Bible emphasizes the importance of respecting and caring for one another, rather than consuming or harming each other.

What Bible chapters should you read if you want to learn more about cannibalism?

1. Leviticus 26 – This chapter discusses the consequences of disobedience to God’s laws, including the possibility of cannibalism as a result of famine and other hardships.

2. Deuteronomy 28 – This chapter also outlines the consequences of disobedience to God’s laws, including the possibility of cannibalism as a result of severe suffering and hunger.

3. Lamentations 4 – This chapter describes the extreme suffering and desperation experienced by the people of Jerusalem, including the horrifying act of mothers eating their own children during a siege.

These chapters are relevant to cannibalism as they provide examples of the extreme measures people may resort to in times of great suffering and desperation, as well as the consequences of turning away from God’s laws. They serve as cautionary tales about the consequences of disobedience and the depths of depravity that humans may sink to in times of crisis.

Ideas and concepts related to cannibalism that are also taught or mentioned in the Bible.’

1. Sacrifice: In the Bible, sacrifice is a common practice where animals or food offerings are given to God as a way of showing devotion and seeking forgiveness for sins. Cannibalism can be seen as a perversion of this concept, as it involves consuming human flesh for sustenance or other purposes.

2. Judgment: The Bible often speaks of God’s judgment on those who commit sinful acts, including cannibalism. In the book of Leviticus, it is explicitly forbidden to consume human flesh, and those who do so are considered unclean and subject to punishment.

3. Communion: In Christian tradition, communion is a ritual where believers consume bread and wine as a symbol of the body and blood of Jesus Christ. This act is meant to bring believers closer to God and each other. Cannibalism, on the other hand, is a distortion of this concept, as it involves consuming human flesh for selfish or depraved reasons.

4. Taboo: Cannibalism is considered a taboo in most cultures and religions, including Christianity. The act of consuming human flesh is seen as a violation of the sanctity of life and the dignity of the human body. The Bible reinforces this taboo by condemning cannibalism as a sinful and abhorrent practice.

Evelyn Johnson - Bible Verses
Written by Evelyn Johnson


Evelyn Johnson is a theologian, Bible expert, and the founder of EncouragingBibleVerses.org, a trusted resource for uplifting and empowering Bible verses.

With a Master's degree in Divinity, Evelyn is dedicated to studying and interpreting the Bible. Her website features curated collections of verses on various topics, along with insightful commentary and practical tips for everyday life.

Evelyn is also a sought-after speaker and author on matters of faith and spirituality. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and volunteering in her local church and community.

Learn more about her and read her other articles here.