Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical narrative, the term "wicked" is often used to describe individuals who act in opposition to God's will, engaging in behaviors that are morally corrupt and sinful. The Bible frequently employs vivid imagery and metaphors to illustrate the nature and consequences of wickedness, sometimes drawing comparisons between wicked people and animals. These comparisons serve to highlight the instinctual, unreasoning, and often destructive behaviors associated with wickedness.
Biblical Comparisons:1.
Brutishness and Lack of Understanding: The Bible often equates the wicked with animals to emphasize their lack of spiritual insight and understanding. In
Psalm 73:22, the psalmist laments, "I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You." This comparison underscores the idea that wickedness leads to a state of spiritual insensitivity, akin to the unreasoning nature of animals.
2.
Predatory Behavior: Wicked individuals are sometimes likened to predatory animals, highlighting their destructive and harmful tendencies. In
Ezekiel 22:27, the leaders of Israel are described as wolves: "Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain." This imagery portrays the wicked as ruthless and exploitative, preying on the vulnerable for personal gain.
3.
Instinctual and Uncontrolled Actions: The apostle Peter draws a parallel between false teachers and irrational animals in
2 Peter 2:12: "But these men are like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed. They blaspheme in matters they do not understand, and like such creatures, they too will be destroyed." Here, the comparison emphasizes the impulsive and uncontrolled nature of wickedness, driven by base instincts rather than reason or divine guidance.
4.
Deceptive and Cunning Nature: The serpent in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) is a prime example of the cunning and deceptive nature often associated with wickedness. The serpent's craftiness led to the fall of humanity, illustrating how wickedness can manifest through deceit and manipulation, much like the subtlety of certain animals.
5.
Destructive and Chaotic Influence: In the book of Jude, the wicked are compared to wild waves of the sea, "casting up their own shame like foam" (
Jude 1:13). This metaphor highlights the chaotic and destructive influence of wickedness, much like the untamed and relentless nature of the sea.
Moral and Spiritual Implications:The biblical comparisons between wicked people and animals serve as a stark warning about the consequences of living in opposition to God's commandments. These metaphors illustrate the degradation of human dignity and the loss of divine purpose that result from wickedness. By likening the wicked to animals, the Bible underscores the importance of spiritual discernment, self-control, and adherence to God's will as the path to true wisdom and righteousness.
In conclusion, the biblical portrayal of wicked people as akin to animals serves as a powerful reminder of the moral and spiritual perils of sin. It calls believers to pursue a life of holiness, guided by the wisdom and understanding that come from a relationship with God, in contrast to the instinctual and destructive path of wickedness.
Nave's Topical Index
Psalm 49:12Nevertheless man being in honor stays not: he is like the beasts that perish.
Nave's Topical Index2 Peter 2:12
But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
Nave's Topical Index
Library
Ancestors of the Blessed virgin
... always living amongst other men who, compared to them ... in order to lead their lives
undisturbed by wicked people. ... saying that they must be bad people since no ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/i ancestors of the blessed.htm
On Rational Natures.
... thou hast destroyed my land and slain my people: thou shalt not remain for ever,
most wicked seed ... Moreover our Lord, who is the truth, compared the power ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter v on rational natures.htm
Signs and Wonders.
... recollect, was at best a remote city compared with any ... Must not people now see signs
and wonders before they ... pangs come upon us"like the wicked queen-mother ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xix signs and wonders.htm
The Last Interview of Paul with the Elders of Ephesus.
... have done for the salvation of his people; who has ... way to save his life; the same
wicked man shall ... with manifest propriety that such men are compared to those ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxiv the last interview.htm
Of Meditating on the Future Life.
... this disease, the Lord makes his people sensible of ... 5:6). Thus when the earthly is
compared with the ... earthly objects, though they see the wicked flourishing in ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 9 of meditating on.htm
Of the Sacrifices Offered to God by the Saints, which are to be ...
... regards its freedom from sin, can be compared to no ... life shall be the days of my
people." [1463] And ... is written, "in the thoughts of the wicked His examination ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 26 of the sacrifices offered.htm
The Number of those who Fought for Religion in Gaul under Verus ...
... this present time are not worthy to be compared with the ... his burning body, he said
to the people in the ... do not devour men; nor do any other wicked thing.' And ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter i the number of those.htm
The Figurative Language of Scripture.
... glowing with professions of love] and a wicked heart" (Prov ... thus signify the deliverance
of the people from Nebuchadnezzar's ... Jer.27:1-8, compared with 28:10, 11 ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxv the figurative language.htm
Of Meditating on the Future Life.
... this disease, the Lord makes his people sensible of ... 5:6.) Thus when the earthly is
compared with the ... earthly objects, though they see the wicked flourishing in ...
/.../sergieff/on the christian life/chapter iv of meditating on.htm
The Lord Reigneth
... belong only to the visible church, for it is compared to a ... of His Kingdom, that He
reigns in the hearts of His people. ... The thought is no less vain than wicked. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxvi the lord reigneth.htm
Resources
Does God hate? If God is love, how can He hate? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is retribution theology? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that judgment begins at the house of God? | GotQuestions.orgWicked: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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