What does the Bible say about animals?
The Bible presents a multi-faceted view of animals, beginning with their creation by God and their integral role in the original good creation. Scripture shows God's care and concern for all living creatures, establishing humanity's responsibility to steward them thoughtfully. While animals are distinct from humans, the Bible affirms their inherent value as part of God's design and reveals that they will even play a role in the new creation.
From creation to new creation, the Bible consistently shows God's ownership and care for animals, while commissioning humanity to be their stewards.
God as Creator and Sustainer of All Animals
The biblical narrative begins with God as the sovereign creator of all life, including animals. Genesis 1 recounts God creating various kinds of animals on the fifth and sixth days, declaring each aspect of creation, including animal life, as “good” (Genesis 1:20-25). This establishes the inherent value of animals, not just for their utility to humanity, but as good in themselves because they are God's handiwork. The Psalms further emphasize God's ongoing meticulous care for all creatures, providing for their sustenance:
> The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. (Psalm 145:15-16)
This theme is echoed in Jesus' teaching that God feeds the birds of the air, implying his comprehensive providential care even for creatures seemingly insignificant to human eyes (Matthew 6:26).
Humanity's Stewardship (Dominion) Over Animals
Following creation, humanity is given a unique role: "dominion" over the animal kingdom (Genesis 1:26-28). The Hebrew word radah, translated as "dominion" or "rule," does not denote oppressive authoritarianism, but rather a responsible, caring oversight. This is often understood as a stewardship mandate, reflecting God's own benevolent rule. Just as God cares for his creation, humanity is called to govern the animal world in a way that promotes its flourishing. This ethical responsibility is underscored in Proverbs:
> Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. (Proverbs 12:10)
This verse clearly distinguishes between the compassionate treatment of animals by the righteous and the harshness of the wicked, reinforcing the idea that proper care for animals is a mark of godly character. This includes providing for their needs, protecting them from harm, and preventing unnecessary suffering.
Animals in Sacrifice and Covenant
Throughout the Old Testament, animals played a significant role in the sacrificial system. From the earliest accounts (Genesis 4:4) through the elaborate Mosaic Law, animal sacrifices were central to atonement for sin and worship (Leviticus 1-7). These sacrifices highlighted the seriousness of sin and the cost of redemption, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 9:22). While these practices involved the killing of animals, they were part of a divinely ordained system with specific theological purposes, not a general endorsement of animal cruelty. Animals also featured in God's covenants, notably the Noahic covenant, which included all living creatures as beneficiaries of God's promise never again to destroy the earth by flood (Genesis 9:9-10).
Animals in the New Creation
The Bible looks forward to a future new creation where peace and harmony will characterize all relationships, including those between humans and animals, and even among animals themselves. Isaiah's prophetic vision paints a vivid picture:
> The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. (Isaiah 11:6-7)
This imagery speaks to the restoration of creation to its intended perfect state, free from the curse of sin (Romans 8:19-22). While some interpret this symbolically, it strongly suggests a renewed creation where animals, too, participate in God's ultimate redemptive plan. The ultimate destiny of animals in the new heavens and new earth is a topic of some discussion among Christians, but the biblical texts undoubtedly depict a future where creation, including its animal inhabitants, is fully reconciled and restored.
Bible verses about animals
"And God said, Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And God created the great sea-monsters, and every living creature that moveth, wherewith the waters swarmed, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind: and God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth. And there was evening and there was morning, a fifth day. And God said, Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind, cattle, and creeping things, and beasts of the earth after their kind: and it was so. And God made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creepeth upon the ground after its kind: and God saw that it was good."
"The eyes of all wait for thee; And thou givest them their food in due season. Thou openest thy hand, And satisfiest the desire of every living thing."
"Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value than they?"
"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them: and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."
"A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel."
"And Jehovah called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tent of meeting, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When any man of you offereth an oblation unto Jehovah, ye shall offer your oblation of the cattle, even of the herd and of the flock. If his oblation be a burnt-offering of the herd, he shall offer it a male without blemish: he shall offer it at the door of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before Jehovah. And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the burnt-offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. And he shall kill the bullock before Jehovah: and Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall present the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is at the door of the tent of meeting. And he shall flay the burnt-offering, and cut it into its pieces. And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay wood in order upon the fire;"
"And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that go out of the ark, even every beast of the earth."
"And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox."
"For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now."
Frequently asked
Do animals have souls?
The Bible teaches that humans are uniquely created in God's image, possessing an eternal spirit (Genesis 1:26-27). While animals are described as having *nephesh* (often translated as 'living creature' or 'soul' in some contexts, Genesis 1:20-21), this generally refers to their animating life force or breath. This is distinct from the human spirit which is explicitly said to return to God (Ecclesiastes 12:7). Scripture does not directly state that animals have immortal souls in the same way humans do, nor does it typically address an afterlife for individual animals. However, it does affirm that all life, including animal life, originates from God and holds value to Him.
Is it okay for Christians to eat meat?
Yes, the Bible permits the consumption of meat for Christians. In the beginning, humanity and animals were vegetarian (Genesis 1:29-30). However, after the Flood, God explicitly granted humanity permission to eat meat (Genesis 9:3). While the Old Testament Law included dietary restrictions for Israel (Leviticus 11), the New Testament declares all foods clean and permissible to eat with thankfulness, as long as it does not cause a brother to stumble (Mark 7:19; Romans 14:1-4; 1 Timothy 4:3-5). The emphasis shifts from specific dietary laws to matters of conscience and love for others.
What about hunting and animal testing?
The Bible does not directly address modern concepts like recreational hunting or animal testing. However, the principles of responsible stewardship and compassion can guide Christians in these areas. For hunting, if it is for food or population management and done respectfully, it aligns with humanity's dominion and the allowance to eat meat. Wanton cruelty or trophy hunting that wastes life would be inconsistent with biblical stewardship. Regarding animal testing, many Christians believe it can be permissible if it serves a genuine good (e.g., medical advancement) and is conducted with efforts to minimize suffering, reflecting the compassion found in Proverbs 12:10. The core principle remains that animals are God's creation, deserving of responsible and humane treatment.
Will there be animals in heaven?
While the Bible doesn't explicitly detail the presence of individual pets in 'heaven' as it's often conceived, it strongly suggests animals will be part of the *new heaven and new earth*. Isaiah's prophecies (Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25) describe a restored creation where predators and prey live in harmony, indicating a profound peace that includes animal life. Revelation's visions also include animals, particularly horses, in the new creation (Revelation 19:11, 14). This points to a holistic restoration of all creation, not just humanity. So, while we may not see our specific pets, the biblical vision for eternity includes a redeemed natural world, complete with animal life, reflecting God's ultimate plan for all His creation.
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