Dictionary of Bible Themes: 4604 animals, nature of

4604 animals, nature of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 4000 Creation » 4600 Living beings » 4603 animals » 4604 animals, nature of

As a class within the created order, their variety reflects God's generous giving. He makes human beings their stewards, though they themselves come into the category of creatures.

Animals in their profusion

Genesis 1:24-25 See also Genesis 7:1-3,13-16; Genesis 8:15-19; Psalm 50:9-11; Psalm 148:7-10; Isaiah 43:20; Ezekiel 36:11

Animals as illustrated by their variety

Isaiah 11:6-8 See also Exodus 23:12 Ox, donkey; Exodus 25:3-5 Goat, sea cow; Leviticus 11:4-7 Rabbit, pig; Leviticus 11:29-30 Weasel, rat; Numbers 19:2 Heifer; Deuteronomy 14:4-5 Deer, gazelle, antelope; 1 Samuel 17:34-35 Sheep, bear, lion; Job 40:15-24 possibly the hippopotamus; Job 41:1-34 possibly the crocodile; Psalm 58:4 Snake; Psalm 105:30 Frog; Songs 2:15 Fox; Isaiah 13:21-22 Jackal, wild goat, hyena; Isaiah 51:8 Worm

Human beings within the animal creation

As part of creation

Genesis 2:7; Ecclesiastes 3:18-21 See also Psalm 49:12

Significantly different from the rest of creation

Genesis 1:26-27

Human beings as stewards of the animal kingdom

Psalm 8:6-8 See also Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 2:19-20; Genesis 9:1-2; Hebrews 2:6-8; James 3:7-8

Animals as the objects of divine, and therefore human, care

Genesis 9:8-10 See also Genesis 8:1; Exodus 9:4-6; 2 Kings 3:17; Job 5:23; Job 38:39-41; Job 39:1-30; Psalm 104:20-21; Proverbs 12:10; Proverbs 27:23; Joel 2:22; Jonah 4:11

Animals and Noah's ark

Genesis 7:13-23