“And God said, ‘Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.’” – Genesis 1:20
Bible Verses About Fish
Genesis 1:20 – God creates living creatures in the water, showcasing the significance of marine life.
“And God said, ‘Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.’” – Genesis 1:20
Genesis 1:21 – This verse emphasizes the diversity and creation of fish and sea creatures.
“So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems, and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” – Genesis 1:21
Leviticus 11:9 – God’s instructions on which fish are clean and unclean for consumption.
“These are the animals you may eat: any that has fins and scales in the waters, whether in seas or in streams.” – Leviticus 11:9
Matthew 4:19 – Jesus invites His disciples to fish for men, indicating the role of fishermen in spreading the Gospel.
“‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” – Matthew 4:19
John 21:6 – The miracle of fish caught through Jesus’s guidance, demonstrating His power.
“He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.” – John 21:6
Luke 5:10 – This verse connects fishers with the call to discipleship and evangelism.
“Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.'” – Luke 5:10
Jonah 1:17 – Jonah’s encounter with a big fish when he tried to run away from God’s command.
“Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” – Jonah 1:17
Matthew 17:27 – A miracle involving a fish that provided a coin for the temple tax.
“But so that we may not cause offense, go to the sea and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” – Matthew 17:27
Revelation 13:1 – A symbolic beast rising out of the sea, alluding to creatures from the deep.
“The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea.” – Revelation 13:1
Mark 6:41 – Jesus feeding the five thousand with five loaves and two fish.
“Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.” – Mark 6:41
Luke 24:42 – After His resurrection, Jesus eats fish to show he is alive in a physical form.
“They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.” – Luke 24:42-43
Matthew 14:17 – The disciples question how they can feed the large crowd with so little fish.
“‘We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,’ they answered.” – Matthew 14:17
Exodus 16:13 – Manna and quail provided by God, which also involved a remembrance of past abundance, including fish.
“That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.” – Exodus 16:13
Isaiah 19:8 – Fishing is mentioned as a trade that was impacted by God’s judgment.
“The fishermen will groan and lament, all who cast hooks into the Nile; those who line the streams will mourn.” – Isaiah 19:8
Matthew 15:36 – Another instance of Jesus blessing the fish to feed thousands.
“Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples.” – Matthew 15:36
Psalm 104:25-26 – A poetic description of sea creatures and their place in God’s creation.
“There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number – living things both large and small.” – Psalm 104:25
Ezekiel 47:10 – A vision of a restored Israel where fishermen will stand along the banks of the river.
“Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets.” – Ezekiel 47:10
Proverbs 11:30 – The wise are compared to those who win souls, like catching fish.
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.” – Proverbs 11:30
1 Timothy 4:4-5 – Teaching that everything created by God is good, including all forms of food like fish.
“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.” – 1 Timothy 4:4-5
Luke 24:43 – The resurrection narrative that includes Jesus eating fish, affirming His physical being.
“He took it and ate it in their presence.” – Luke 24:43
2 Chronicles 33:13 – A prayer of repentance for those who’ve wronged God, sometimes including fish as an offering.
“And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom.” – 2 Chronicles 33:13
1 Peter 3:20 – Analogous references to Noah and the fish in the context of deliverance through water.
“To those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.” – 1 Peter 3:20
Jeremiah 16:16 – God’s promise to send fishers and hunters to gather His people.
“But now I will send for many fishermen, declares the Lord, and they will catch them.” – Jeremiah 16:16
Ecclesiastes 9:12 – A reflection on life, where fish highlights the unpredictability of fate.
“Moreover, no one knows when their hour will come. As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so people are trapped by evil times.” – Ecclesiastes 9:12
Matthew 13:47 – Jesus uses fish as a metaphor for the Kingdom of Heaven.
“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.” – Matthew 13:47
Matthew 14:18 – Jesus says to bring the fish to Him, symbolizing His provision.
“Bring them here to me,’ he said.” – Matthew 14:18
Acts 10:13 – A vision of God speaking to Peter about the definition of clean and unclean in terms of food, including fish.
“Then a voice told him, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.'” – Acts 10:13
Romans 14:14 – Addressing dietary restrictions, affirming that no food, including fish, is inherently unclean.
“As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself.” – Romans 14:14
Final Thoughts
Throughout the Bible, fish often symbolize abundance and God’s provision. From Genesis to the New Testament, we see that He uses fish in miracles, displays of authority, and as metaphors for His followers. In observing how fish play various roles in scripture, we are reminded of the deep connection between nature and our faith.
Fish serve as more than a food source; they represent spiritual callings and relationships. Whether it’s Jesus calling fishermen to become fishers of men or telling His disciples to cast their nets, these stories highlight the importance of faith and obedience in our lives. As we reflect on these verses, we can take encouragement from how God provides not just for our needs but also for greater purposes.
This encourages us all to embrace our roles and connections, much like the fishes in the seas. For deeper explorations of scripture, check out Bible Verses About Fishermen or Bible Verses About Encouraging Yourself to uplift your journey of faith!