Animals are an important part of God’s creation and have a special place in the Bible. From the majestic lion to the humble sparrow, Scripture is filled with references to these wonderful creatures. Let’s look at some Bible verses that highlight the beauty and significance of animals in God’s plan.
Bible Verses About Animals
Genesis 1:26 – Dominion over animals
“Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,”
Genesis 1:30 – Provision for animals
“And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.”
Genesis 2:19 – Naming of the animals
“Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.”
Genesis 9:2 – Fear and dread of humans for animals
“The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish in the sea; they are given into your hands.”
Exodus 20:10 – Sabbath rest for animals
“but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.”
Leviticus 11:3 – Clean and unclean animals
“You may eat any animal that has a divided hoof and that chews the cud.”
Psalm 36:6 – Righteousness that saves animals
“Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.”
Psalm 50:10 – Ownership of all animals
“for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.”
Psalm 104:21 – Dependence on God for food
“The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God.”
Psalm 147:9 – Provision for animals
“He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.”
Proverbs 12:10 – Righteous care for animals
“The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.”
Proverbs 27:23 – Knowing the condition of animals
“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;”
Isaiah 11:6 – Future peace among animals
“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.”
Isaiah 40:31 – Strength renewed like eagles
“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 65:25 – Harmony in creation
“The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the Lord.”
Jeremiah 8:7 – Instinctual knowledge of animals
“Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration. But my people do not know the requirements of the Lord.”
Ezekiel 34:31 – God’s people as sheep
“You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord.”
Jonah 4:11 – Concern for all creatures
“And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
Matthew 6:26 – God’s provision for birds
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
Matthew 10:29 – God’s knowledge of each animal
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.”
Matthew 12:11 – Doing good for animals on Sabbath
“He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?”
Luke 12:6 – Value of sparrows
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.”
1 Corinthians 9:9 – Muzzling an ox
“For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned?”
Hebrews 13:20 – Jesus as the great Shepherd
“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,”
James 3:7 – Taming of animals
“All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind,”
Revelation 5:13 – Creation’s praise
“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!””
Revelation 6:8 – Authority over animals
“I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.”
Job 12:7-10 – Animals’ knowledge of God
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?”
Psalm 8:6-8 – Humans over all creatures
“You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.”
Ecclesiastes 3:19 – Common fate of animals and humans
“Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; humans have no advantage over animals.”
Isaiah 43:20 – Wild animals honor God
“The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen,”
Daniel 6:22 – Lions’ mouths shut
“My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight.”
Hosea 2:18 – Covenant with animals
“In that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky and the creatures that move along the ground.”
Joel 2:22 – Fields and animals
“Do not be afraid, you wild animals, for the pastures in the wilderness are becoming green. The trees are bearing their fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.”
Zachariah 8:12 – Peaceful animal habitation
“The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people.”
Mark 1:13 – Jesus and wild animals
“and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.”
Luke 2:7 – Birth of Jesus among animals
“and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”
Romans 8:22 – Creation’s groaning
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”
Colossians 1:16 – Creation through Christ
“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”
Deuteronomy 25:4 – Ox at work
“Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”
1 Kings 4:33 – Solomon’s knowledge
“He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish.”
Also Read: 40 Sunday Blessings Prayer Bible Verses
What Does the Bible Say About Animals?
As we journey through the scriptures, it becomes evident that animals hold a significant place in God’s creation. Right from the opening chapters of Genesis, we see that animals were part of God’s intricate design. Genesis 1 recounts how God created various kinds of animals, placing them in the sea, sky, and land, and declaring them good. This underscores the inherent value and goodness that animals possess in the eyes of the Creator.
The relationship between humans and animals is also defined early on. In Genesis 1:26, God grants humanity dominion over all living creatures. This dominion is not a license for exploitation but an entrustment to steward and care for God’s creation responsibly. The responsibility to care for animals is further highlighted in Proverbs 12:10, which states that a righteous person cares for the needs of their animals. This indicates that our treatment of animals reflects our righteousness and moral character.
Additionally, animals are used in various symbolic ways throughout the Bible. In the Book of Exodus, the paschal lamb becomes a poignant symbol in the story of the Israelites’ escape from Egypt, pointing to themes of sacrifice and deliverance. Similarly, in the New Testament, Jesus is often referred to as the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29), signifying His role in the redemption of humanity.
The Psalms offer poetic reflections on animals, celebrating the diversity and beauty of God’s creatures. For instance, Psalm 104 celebrates God’s provision for all creation, describing how He provides food for the animals and delights in His works. These reflections teach us to appreciate the natural world and recognize our Creator’s hand in every aspect of it.
Jesus Himself spoke about animals in His teachings. In Matthew 6:26, He points to the birds of the air, noting that they neither sow nor reap yet God feeds them. This illustration encourages us to trust in God’s provision, just as He cares for the creatures of the earth.
In the prophetic books, animals often symbolize the coming peace of God’s kingdom. Isaiah 11:6-9 envisions a future where predators and prey live together harmoniously, depicting a world restored to God’s intended peace.
Through all these references, the Bible encourages us to see God’s hand in the animal kingdom and to respect and care for these creatures as part of our stewardship of creation. Our interactions with animals mirror our broader approach to God’s creation, calling us to embody compassion, responsibility, and appreciation.