Animals are part of God’s creation, and the Bible shares insights into how we should treat them. Today, we’ll look at verses that encourage kindness to animals and remind us of the responsibility we have as stewards of God’s world.
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What Does The Bible Say About Humans And Animals
Genesis 1:26-27
“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, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
This verse highlights the unique position of humans in God’s creation. We are created in the image and likeness of God, entrusted with the responsibility to rule over the animals on earth. It emphasizes our stewardship role, where we are called to care for and responsibly manage the animals, respecting their existence as creations of God.
Genesis 1:26-27 also reveals the inherent value of both humans and animals. As beings made in God’s image, we possess a special dignity, and this verse teaches us to recognize and appreciate the worth of all living creatures as part of God’s intricate design.
Proverbs 12:10
“The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.”
This verse highlights the importance of compassion towards animals. Those who are righteous and follow God’s ways are concerned with the well-being and care of their animals. It reminds us that our treatment of animals reflects our character and morality.
Proverbs 12:10 also cautions against cruelty towards animals. It contrasts the acts of the wicked, which may outwardly seem kind, but in reality, they are rooted in cruelty. This verse emphasizes the importance of kindness and compassion towards animals, reminding us that our actions should align with God’s values.
Psalm 36:6
“Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.”
This verse affirms the encompassing care and providence of God for both humanity and animals. It reveals His righteousness and justice, likening them to the majestic mountains and the depths of the sea. It reminds us that God’s love extends to all His creation, including animals.
Psalm 36:6 brings comfort and assurance that God preserves and sustains both people and animals. It reinforces the belief that every living creature has value and significance in the eyes of God, and He watches over them with His loving care.
Job 12:7-10
“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? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”
This verse emphasizes the wisdom that can be gained through observing and studying the natural world. It prompts us to learn from animals, birds, and the earth itself, recognizing that they bear witness to the power and creativity of the Lord.
Job 12:7-10 acknowledges God’s sovereignty over all creation. It reveals that every creature’s life and the breath we possess are ultimately in God’s hands. It reminds us to appreciate the interconnectedness of all living things and recognize the hand of God in their existence.
Proverbs 27:23
“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of responsible care and stewardship over domesticated animals. It encourages us to be attentive to the well-being and needs of our livestock, ensuring their welfare.
Proverbs 27:23 teaches us the value of understanding and knowing the condition of the animals under our care. It underscores the commitment to providing proper nourishment, shelter, and protection for our flocks and herds. This verse reflects the principles of compassion, responsibility, and diligence in our interactions with domesticated animals.
Matthew 10:29-31
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
This verse offers reassurance of God’s intimate knowledge and care for all creatures, including birds. It highlights the value God places on even the smallest and seemingly insignificant living beings, reminding us that we are of much greater worth to Him.
Matthew 10:29-31 encourages us not to be consumed by fear or anxiety, for if God is attentive to the sparrows and knows the number of hairs on our head, we can trust in His loving provision and protection. This verse reminds us of our inherent value in God’s eyes and invites us to place our trust in Him.
Proverbs 14:21
“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”
This verse highlights the importance of treating others with kindness and generosity. It reminds us that our attitudes and actions towards our neighbors, both human and animal, reflect our righteousness or sinfulness.
Proverbs 14:21 encourages us to be compassionate and generous towards those in need. This extends to animals as well, as being generous to the poor can include providing for the welfare of animals who rely on our care. This verse emphasizes the value of empathy and selflessness in our relationships with others, fostering a spirit of love and compassion.
Psalm 145:9
“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”
This verse affirms the goodness and compassion of the Lord towards all His creation. It reinforces the belief that God’s love and care extend to every living being, including animals.
Psalm 145:9 reminds us that God’s character is marked by compassion and that His love encompasses all creatures. It invites us to see the world through the lens of God’s mercy and to emulate His loving kindness towards all living things.
Proverbs 12:10
“The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.”
This verse highlights the importance of compassion towards animals. Those who are righteous and follow God’s ways are concerned with the well-being and care of their animals. It reminds us that our treatment of animals reflects our character and morality.
Proverbs 12:10 also cautions against cruelty towards animals. It contrasts the acts of the wicked, which may outwardly seem kind, but in reality, they are rooted in cruelty. This verse emphasizes the importance of kindness and compassion towards animals, reminding us that our actions should align with God’s values.
Matthew 6:26
“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?”
This verse draws our attention to the provision and care that God provides for birds. It serves as a reminder that if God, our heavenly Father, takes care of them, He will surely provide for our needs as well.
Matthew 6:26 reassures us of God’s loving and attentive care. It points to the inherent value and worth each individual possesses, affirming that we are of greater significance to God than the birds of the air. This verse encourages us to trust in God’s faithfulness and provision.
Genesis 9:3-4
“Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.”
This verse signifies the permission given by God for humans to consume meat for sustenance. It establishes the provision of animals as a source of nourishment and sustenance for humanity.
However, Genesis 9:3-4 also includes the restriction to not consume meat with its lifeblood still in it. This prohibition demonstrates the importance of respecting the life of animals and handling their flesh with reverence and gratitude. This verse encourages a balanced approach to the consumption of animals, reminding us to be mindful of their lives and to honor the provision granted by God.
Isaiah 40:11
“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”
This verse presents a beautiful image of God as a caring and compassionate shepherd, attending to His flock. It symbolizes His loving and protective nature towards His people and all creation.
Isaiah 40:11 portrays God’s tenderness and gentleness, much like a shepherd’s care for his sheep. It depicts Him as one who gathers the lambs in His arms, providing comfort and security. This verse reminds us of God’s nurturing character and invites us to trust in His guidance and care.
Luke 12:6
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.”
This verse highlights God’s attentive knowledge and concern for every living creature, even the seemingly insignificant sparrows. It emphasizes the individual worth and significance that each creature holds in God’s eyes.
Luke 12:6 captures the loving care and mindfulness of God, who does not forget any of His creations. This verse serves as a reminder of God’s intimate involvement in the lives of animals and His constant presence and care over all aspects of His creation.
Psalm 50:10-11
“For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.”
This verse underscores God’s ownership and sovereignty over the entire animal kingdom. It reveals that every animal in the forest, the cattle on hills, the birds in the mountains, and even the insects in the fields belong to Him.
Psalm 50:10-11 emphasizes God’s intimate knowledge and connection with all creatures, reflecting His role as their Creator and sustainer. It reminds us of the intricate details and diversity within the animal kingdom and encourages us to appreciate and recognize God’s ultimate authority and care over every living creature.
Proverbs 21:20
“The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.”
This verse points to the importance of responsible and wise stewardship over resources, including food. It encourages us to be mindful of our consumption habits and to recognize the value of proper planning and management of provisions.
Proverbs 21:20 promotes the idea of storing choice food and olive oil, signifying the importance of responsible preparation and care for our sustenance. By doing so, we demonstrate wisdom and avoid wasteful behavior. This verse prompts us to reflect on our attitudes towards resources, including the food we share with and provide for animals.
Job 38:41
“Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?”
This verse highlights God’s provision and care for animals, specifically the raven and its young. It demonstrates that God is attentive to the needs of even the most seemingly insignificant creatures, ensuring their sustenance.
Job 38:41 reminds us that God’s compassion extends to the animal kingdom. It prompts us to recognize His role as the provider of all things and encourages us to trust in His abundant provision, knowing that He will sustain and meet the needs of every living creature.
Matthew 10:16
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
This verse serves as a metaphor, illustrating the dynamic relationship between believers and the world. It encourages us to navigate the challenges and dangers of the world with both wisdom and innocence.
Matthew 10:16 calls us to be discerning and vigilant, symbolized by the shrewdness of snakes. However, it also admonishes us to maintain our purity and integrity, characterized by the innocence of doves. This verse reminds us to balance wisdom and innocence as we interact with both humans and animals, reflecting the teachings of Jesus in our daily lives.
Ecclesiastes 3:19-21
“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. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust, all return. Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?”
This verse prompts reflection on the shared mortality and earthly existence of both humans and animals. It acknowledges the equal fate and the ephemeral nature of life for all living creatures.
Ecclesiastes 3:19-21 highlights the similarities between humans and animals in their physiological nature, stressing that all return to dust. While questioning the fate of the human spirit and the animal’s spirit, this verse emphasizes the fleeting nature of life and encourages us to contemplate the larger questions of existence and the purpose of our lives.
Psalm 104:10-14
“He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains. They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work. He makes grass grow for the cattle and plants for people to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth.”
This verse describes God’s provision and care for His creation, including animals and humans. It reveals His role as the Provider, who supplies water, sustenance, and fertility to the natural world.
Psalm 104:10-14 depicts the interconnectedness of all living things, highlighting how water, grass, and plants nourish both animals and people. It showcases God’s wisdom and abundance in His creation, demonstrating His attentive concern for the needs of His creatures and the blessings that flow from His work.
Leviticus 25:7
“Your livestock and the wild animals in your land—everything they produce—will be yours for food.”
This verse establishes the provision of livestock and wild animals for food. It acknowledges that God has given these resources to sustain and nourish His people.
Leviticus 25:7 emphasizes the blessings of God’s creation and highlights the necessity of animals as a source of sustenance. It reminds us of God’s kindness and generosity in His provision of food, which includes the animals we rely upon for nourishment and sustenance.
Deuteronomy 25:4
“Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”
This verse speaks to the fair treatment and just compensation of animals serving in labor. It teaches us to allow animals to partake in the fruits of their labor and not to hinder their ability to enjoy what they contribute.
Deuteronomy 25:4 prompts us to consider the welfare of working animals, reminding us to treat them with respect and ensure they receive fair treatment. It encourages empathy and kindness towards animals, recognizing their contribution and need for proper care and well-being.
Matthew 12:11-12
“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? How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.’”
This verse demonstrates Jesus’ teaching on the value of compassion and the priority of doing good, even on the Sabbath. It uses the example of rescuing a sheep that has fallen into a pit to emphasize the importance of showing mercy and extending help.
Matthew 12:11-12 highlights the inherent worth and value of every individual, even animals. It reminds us that acts of kindness and compassion should not be withheld, especially when these acts bring relief, restoration, and alleviate suffering, whether for humans or animals.
Psalm 37:9-11
“For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.”
This verse conveys the promise of justice and restoration for the righteous. It reassures that those who trust in the Lord and embody His values will ultimately inherit the blessings and enjoy peace and prosperity.
Psalm 37:9-11 invites us to reflect on the broader concept of justice and peace. While not explicitly mentioning animals, this passage can be applied to the hope for a restored and harmonious creation, where all living beings will experience the peace and prosperity that God intends for His creation.
Isaiah 11:6-9
“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. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”
This verse foretells a future vision of harmony and peace, where even the fiercest of animals will coexist in peace and harmlessness. It speaks to the restoration of the original order established by God, where there will be no destruction or harm on His holy mountain.
Isaiah 11:6-9 invites us to envision a world free from violence and conflict, not only between humans but also within the animal kingdom. It paints a picture of a renewed creation, emphasizing the restoration of God’s intended relationship with all living creatures, ultimately being filled with the knowledge of the Lord.
Job 39:9-12
“Will the wild ox consent to serve you? Will it stay by your manger at night? Can you hold it to the furrow with a harness? Will it till the valleys behind you? Will you rely on it for its great strength? Will you leave your heavy work to it? Can you trust it to bring in your grain and gather it to your threshing floor?”
This verse serves as a rhetorical challenge, presenting the untamed characteristics of wild animals. It highlights the difference in nature and behavior between humans and animals, reminding us of the intricacies of God’s creation.
Job 39:9-12 prompts reflection on the limits of human control and the unique strengths and abilities of animals. It encourages humility and appreciation for the diversity of God’s creation, reminding us of our place in relation to the natural world.
Proverbs 6:6-8
“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”
This verse invites us to observe and learn from the industriousness and wisdom displayed by ants. It emphasizes the importance of diligence and planning for the provision of one’s needs.
Proverbs 6:6-8 encourages us to take inspiration from the behavior of animals, recognizing and applying their wisdom. It highlights the value of hard work, discipline, and foresight, lessons that can be acquired from the observation of God’s creation.
Psalm 8:6-8
“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.”
This verse affirms God’s creation of humans as stewards and rulers over His creation, including animals. It describes the authority given to humans in caring for the various creatures of the earth.
Psalm 8:6-8 acknowledges the wide range of animals on earth and the responsibility entrusted to humans to oversee and care for them. It underscores the importance of exercising this authority with wisdom, kindness, and respect for the well-being of all living creatures.