The Bible offers valuable guidance on various aspects of life, including dietary choices. The topic of eating meat has been addressed in several scriptures, providing insight into God’s intentions for His creation. Whether you are curious about the biblical stance on eating meat or seeking to understand God’s dietary laws, this guide will help you explore 33 Bible verses that shed light on this topic. Let’s dive into these verses and uncover the divine wisdom regarding eating meat.
Table of Top Verses about Eating Meat:
| Reference | Verse |
|---|---|
| Genesis 9:3 | Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. |
| Leviticus 11:2-3 | These are the animals you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat, the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope and the mountain sheep. |
| Romans 14:2-3 | One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. |
| 1 Timothy 4:4 | For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. |
What Does the Bible Say About Eating Meat? A Comprehensive Guide
Eating meat is a issue that has intrigued many God’s believers and experts throughout history. The Bible provides diverse perspectives on this topic, talking about various cultural, spiritual, and historical contexts. In this article, we will explore what the Bible says about eating meat, while covering key verses and themes that highlight divine guidance on diet.
1. God’s Provision After the Flood
Genesis 9:3
“Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.”
After the flood, God explicitly permits Noah and his descendants to eat meat. This verse signifies God’s provision and blessing over all living creatures for human consumption.
2. Dietary Laws in the Old Testament
Leviticus 11:2-3
“Speak to the people of Israel, saying, These are the living things that you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth. Whatever parts the hoof and is cloven-footed and chews the cud, among the animals, you may eat.”
The Mosaic Law outlines specific guidelines for clean and unclean animals. These dietary laws were designed to set the Israelites apart and ensure their health and holiness.
3. Freedom in the New Testament
Acts 10:13
“And there came a voice to him: ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.'”
In the New Testament, Peter’s vision signifies a shift from Old Testament dietary restrictions to a new covenant of grace. This vision underscores the idea that all foods are clean and permissible.
4. Respecting Individual Convictions
Romans 14:2-3
“One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.”
Paul’s epistle to the Romans emphasizes respecting individual dietary choices. It highlights the importance of not judging others based on their food preferences, promoting unity and acceptance within the Christian community.
List of 33 Bible Verses about Eating Meat:
1. Genesis 9:3 – God’s Provision for Food
Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.
2. Leviticus 11:2-3 – Dietary Laws for Clean Animals
These are the animals you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat, the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope and the mountain sheep.
3. Romans 14:2-3 – Respecting Dietary Choices
One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.
4. 1 Timothy 4:4 – Everything Created by God is Good
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.
5. Acts 10:13-15 – Peter’s Vision of Clean and Unclean Animals
Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
6. Genesis 1:29-30 – Original Diet in Eden
Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 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.
7. Deuteronomy 14:4-6 – Clean and Unclean Animals
These are the animals you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat, the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope and the mountain sheep. You may eat any animal that has a divided hoof and that chews the cud.
8. Isaiah 25:6 – A Feast Prepared by the Lord
On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines.
9. Proverbs 15:17 – Better a Meal of Vegetables with Love
Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.
10. Mark 7:18-19 – Declaring All Foods Clean
“Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)
11. Exodus 12:8 – The Passover Meal
That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.
12. Leviticus 3:16 – The Fat Belongs to the Lord
All the fat is the Lord’s. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood.
13. 1 Corinthians 10:25 – Eat Anything Sold in the Meat Market
Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience.
14. Genesis 18:7-8 – Abraham’s Hospitality
Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them.
15. Numbers 11:4-6 – Craving Meat in the Wilderness
The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”
16. Matthew 3:4 – John the Baptist’s Diet
John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
17. Genesis 27:3-4 – Isaac’s Request for Savory Food
Now then, get your equipment—your quiver and bow—and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me. Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die.
18. Leviticus 7:23-24 – Forbidden Fat and Blood
Say to the Israelites: ‘Do not eat any of the fat of cattle, sheep or goats. The fat of an animal found dead or torn by wild animals may be used for any other purpose, but you must not eat it.
19. Romans 14:21 – Avoiding Stumbling Blocks
It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.
20. Deuteronomy 12:20 – Meat Eaten with Thanksgiving
When the Lord your God has enlarged your territory as he promised you, and you crave meat and say, “I would like some meat,” then you may eat as much of it as you want.
21. 1 Samuel 25:18 – Abigail’s Feast Preparation
Abigail acted quickly. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys.
22. Isaiah 22:13 – Eat and Drink for Tomorrow We Die
But see, there is joy and revelry, slaughtering of cattle and killing of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine! “Let us eat and drink,” you say, “for tomorrow we die!”
23. 1 Kings 19:6 – Elijah’s Provision
He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
24. Ezekiel 4:14 – Ezekiel’s Diet
Then I said, “Not so, Sovereign Lord! I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have never eaten anything found dead or torn by wild animals. No impure meat has ever entered my mouth.”
25. Luke 15:23 – The Fattened Calf
Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.
26. 1 Corinthians 8:8 – Food Does Not Bring Us Near to God
But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
27. Colossians 2:16 – Freedom in Dietary Choices
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
28. Genesis 9:4 – Do Not Eat Meat with Blood
But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.
29. Leviticus 17:10-12 – Prohibition of Blood
I will set my face against any Israelite or any foreigner residing among them who eats blood, and I will cut them off from the people. For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. Therefore I say to the Israelites, “None of you may eat blood, nor may any foreigner residing among you eat blood.”
30. Hebrews 13:9 – Do Not Be Carried Away by Strange Teachings
*Do not be
carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so.*
31. Leviticus 11:46-47 – Distinguishing Clean and Unclean
These are the regulations concerning animals, birds, every living thing that moves about in the water and every creature that moves along the ground. You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between living creatures that may be eaten and those that may not be eaten.
32. 1 Timothy 4:3 – Abstaining from Certain Foods
They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.
33. Matthew 22:4 – The Wedding Banquet
Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’
Conclusion:
The Bible provides diverse perspectives on eating meat, emphasizing both freedom and responsibility in dietary choices. These scriptures highlight the importance of gratitude, respect for God’s provisions, and sensitivity to the beliefs of others. As you reflect on these verses, consider how they can guide your dietary practices and deepen your understanding of God’s intentions for His creation.
FAQs
Does the Bible tell us to eat meat?
In Leviticus 11, the Lord speaks to Moses and Aaron and sets out which animals can be eaten and which cannot: “You may eat any animal that has a divided hoof and that chews the cud. There are some that only chew the cud or only have a divided hoof, but you must not eat them.
What meat is OK to eat according to the Bible?
You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud. “`There are some that only chew the cud or only have a split hoof, but you must not eat them. The camel, though it chews the cud, does not have a split hoof; it is ceremonially unclean for you.
Does the Bible say you can’t eat meat on Good Friday?
“Friday is a day of penitence, as it is believed Christ died on a Friday. Everyone has the right to either eat meat or not.
What does the Bible say about eating meat with blood?
And that is why I have said to the Israelites, “You must not eat any creature’s meat that still has blood in it. Every creature’s life is its blood. Anyone who eats that kind of meat must be separated from the community of Israel.”
Did Jesus ever eat meat?
Did Jesus eat meat? Many Christians readily assert that Jesus ate meat. Yet there isn’t one instance in which he ate meat recorded in the Bible or other historical texts. Historians have frequently noted that Jesus’ brother James was a vegetarian and had been raised vegetarian.
What animals did God say we can eat?
You may eat any animal that has a split hoof divided in two and that chews the cud. However, of those that chew the cud or that have a split hoof completely divided you may not eat the camel, the rabbit or the coney. Although they chew the cud, they do not have a split hoof; they are ceremonially unclean for you.