Turtles represent patience and persistence. While the Bible may not mention turtles specifically, its lessons encourage us to take on life’s challenges with steady faith, much like these gentle creatures tread their paths with endurance.
Also Read: Bible Verses About The Sunrise
Bible Verses About Turtles
Genesis 1:21 – God created every living creature, including turtles
“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 11:29 – Turtles are considered unclean animals
“These also shall be unclean to you among the swarming things that swarm on the ground: the mole rat, the mouse, any kind of great lizard,” – Leviticus 11:29
Job 12:7 – Even the animals can teach us wisdom, including turtles
“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?” – Job 12:7-9
Psalm 8:6 – God has given humans dominion over turtles and all creatures
“You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet:” – Psalm 8:6
Proverbs 6:6 – We can learn diligence from the turtles
“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” – Proverbs 6:6
Isaiah 65:25 – In the restoration of the new earth, turtles will live in peace
“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,” – Isaiah 65:25
Jeremiah 8:7 – Turtles instinctively know the season of their migration
“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.” – Jeremiah 8:7
Daniel 12:8 – Turtles can teach us patience and resilience
“I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?”” – Daniel 12:8
Matthew 6:26 – Turtles do not worry about their provision, and neither should we
“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 6:26
Mark 12:14 – Jesus teaches us not to be deceitful like the turtles
“They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?” – Mark 12:14
Luke 12:7 – Turtles are known and valued by God, and so are we
“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” – Luke 12:7
John 1:3 – All things, including turtles, were created through Jesus
“Through him all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made.” – John 1:3
Acts 17:28 – In God, we live, move, and have our being, just like turtles in water
“For in him we live and move and have our being.” As some of your own poets have said, “We are his offspring.” – Acts 17:28
Romans 8:19 – The creation eagerly waits for the revealing of God’s children, including turtles
“The creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.” – Romans 8:19
1 Corinthians 6:19 – Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, just like the turtle’s shell is its home
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;” – 1 Corinthians 6:19
2 Corinthians 5:17 – In Christ, we become new creations, just like baby turtles hatching
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Galatians 6:2 – We should bear one another’s burdens, just as turtles carry the weight of their shells
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
Ephesians 5:1 – We are called to imitate God, just like turtles imitate their parents
“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children”– Ephesians 5:1
Philippians 4:7 – In Christ, we can experience peace that surpasses all understanding, just like the calmness of a turtle
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7
Colossians 1:16 – All things were created by Jesus and for Jesus, including turtles
“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.” – Colossians 1:16
1 Thessalonians 4:11 – We should aspire to live quietly and mind our own affairs, like the peaceful nature of turtles
“and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,” – 1 Thessalonians 4:11
2 Thessalonians 3:10 – We are called to work hard, just like the slow but steady movement of turtles
“For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”” – 2 Thessalonians 3:10
1 Timothy 6:6 – Godliness with contentment is great gain, just like the simplicity of a turtle’s life
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” – 1 Timothy 6:6
Philemon 1:21 – We can live confidently in Christ, just as turtles carry their shells with security
“Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.” – Philemon 1:21
Hebrews 4:16 – We can approach God’s throne with confidence to receive mercy and find grace, just like turtles confidently approach the water
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16
James 4:10 – We should humble ourselves before the Lord, just as a turtle withdraws into its shell
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – James 4:10
1 Peter 2:2 – Like newborn turtles, we should desire pure spiritual milk to grow in our salvation
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,” – 1 Peter 2:2
2 Peter 3:9 – God is patient and desires all to come to repentance, just like the unhurried pace of a turtle
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9
1 John 3:1 – The incredible love of God makes us children of God, just like turtles hatching from their eggs
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” – 1 John 3:1
2 John 1:6 – Love is walking according to God’s commandments, just as turtles follow their instincts
“And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.” – 2 John 1:6
3 John 1:4 – The greatest joy is when our spiritual children walk in the truth, just like seeing baby turtles head towards the ocean
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” – 3 John 1:4
Jude 1:20 – We should build ourselves up in our most holy faith, just like turtles grow their protective shells
“But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,” – Jude 1:20
Revelation 22:21 – The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all, just like the turtle’s grace in swimming
“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” – Revelation 22:21