Bible verses about eating animals
Here are twelve powerful Bible verses about eating animals:
1. Genesis 9:3 – “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.”
2. Leviticus 11:2-3 – “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth. Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.”
3. Deuteronomy 12:15 – “Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.”
4. Acts 10:13-15 – “And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.”
5. Romans 14:2-3 – “For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.”
6. 1 Timothy 4:4-5 – “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”
7. Genesis 1:29 – “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”
8. Leviticus 11:4-8 – “Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.”
9. Deuteronomy 14:3-6 – “Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing. These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat, The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois. And every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat.”
10. Isaiah 66:17 – “They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord.”
11. Matthew 15:11 – “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.”
12. 1 Corinthians 8:8 – “But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.”
What does the bible say about eating animals?
The Bible teaches that animals were created by God and are meant to be cared for and respected.
It emphasizes the importance of stewardship and responsible use of animals for food.
While it acknowledges that humans have been given permission to eat meat, it also emphasizes the importance of treating animals with compassion and not causing unnecessary suffering.
The Bible also teaches that dietary laws were given to the Israelites for specific reasons, but that these laws are not binding for Christians.
Ultimately, the Bible encourages individuals to make conscious and ethical choices about their consumption of animals.
What Bible chapters should you read if you want to learn more about eating animals?
1. Genesis 9 – This chapter discusses God’s covenant with Noah and his descendants, including permission to eat meat. It is relevant to understanding the biblical perspective on consuming animals.
2. Leviticus 11 – This chapter outlines the dietary laws given to the Israelites, including which animals are considered clean and unclean for consumption. It provides insight into the importance of following dietary guidelines in the Bible.
3. Acts 10 – This chapter describes Peter’s vision of a sheet filled with unclean animals and God’s command to rise, kill, and eat. This passage is significant in the context of understanding the shift in dietary restrictions for Christians in the New Testament.
4. Romans 14 – This chapter addresses the issue of eating meat sacrificed to idols and the importance of respecting others’ dietary choices. It emphasizes the need for Christians to be considerate and understanding of differing beliefs regarding food consumption.
5. 1 Corinthians 8 – This chapter discusses the issue of eating food sacrificed to idols and the impact it may have on weaker believers. It highlights the importance of being mindful of how our actions, including eating habits, can influence others in their faith journey.
Ideas and concepts related to eating animals that are also taught or mentioned in the Bible.’
1. Stewardship of Creation: The concept of stewardship of creation is found throughout the Bible, emphasizing the responsibility of humans to care for and protect the Earth and all living creatures. This concept can be applied to the ethical treatment of animals and the consideration of the impact of consuming animal products on the environment.
2. Compassion and Mercy: The Bible teaches the importance of showing compassion and mercy towards all living beings, including animals. This concept can be applied to the treatment of animals in the food industry, advocating for humane practices and ethical treatment of animals raised for consumption.
3. Dietary Laws: In the Old Testament, there are specific dietary laws outlined in Leviticus and Deuteronomy that dictate what types of animals are considered clean and unclean for consumption. These laws were put in place to promote health and hygiene, as well as to set the Israelites apart from other nations. While these dietary laws are not strictly followed by Christians today, they serve as a reminder of the importance of being mindful of what we consume and how it affects our bodies and the world around us.
4. Sacrifice and Atonement: Throughout the Bible, there are references to animal sacrifices as a means of atonement for sin. While this practice is no longer necessary or practiced in Christianity, it serves as a reminder of the value and significance of animal life, and the importance of considering the ethical implications of consuming animals for food.
Overall, the concepts related to ‘eating animals’ in the Bible emphasize the importance of stewardship, compassion, and ethical treatment of animals, as well as the consideration of the impact of our dietary choices on the environment and our spiritual well-being.
