The term "dolphin" does not appear explicitly in the Bible; however, the creature is often associated with the broader category of sea life mentioned in Scripture. Dolphins, known for their intelligence and playful nature, are marine mammals that inhabit the seas and oceans, which are frequently referenced in biblical texts.

Biblical Context and Symbolism

In the Bible, the sea is a significant symbol, representing both chaos and the unknown, as well as God's creation and power. While dolphins are not specifically mentioned, they are part of the diverse marine life that God created. Genesis 1:21 states, "So God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters teemed, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good." This verse highlights the richness and variety of life in the seas, which would include dolphins as part of God's good creation.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, dolphins were known and depicted in various art forms, often symbolizing swiftness and grace. While the Bible does not directly reference dolphins, the Israelites would have been familiar with them, especially those living near the Mediterranean Sea. Dolphins were often seen as friendly creatures, sometimes assisting sailors, which could align with biblical themes of God's provision and care.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the existence of dolphins and other sea creatures underscores the majesty and creativity of God as the Creator. The diversity and complexity of marine life reflect God's wisdom and power. Job 12:7-10 invites believers to consider the natural world as a testament to God's handiwork: "But ask the animals, and they will instruct you; ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you. Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? The life of every living thing is in His hand, as well as the breath of all mankind."

Dolphins in Christian Thought

In Christian symbolism, dolphins have occasionally been used to represent Christ's resurrection and the idea of salvation. This symbolism arises from the dolphin's reputation for saving drowning sailors, paralleling Christ's role as the Savior of humanity. While this symbolism is more prevalent in later Christian art and literature, it reflects the broader biblical theme of deliverance and redemption.

Conclusion

While dolphins are not directly mentioned in the Bible, they are part of the vast and wondrous marine life that testifies to God's creative power and care for His creation. Through the lens of Scripture, dolphins can be appreciated as a reflection of the beauty and diversity of God's world.1. (n.) A cetacean of the genus Delphinus and allied genera (esp. D. delphis); the true dolphin.

2. (n.) The Coryphaena hippuris, a fish of about five feet in length, celebrated for its surprising changes of color when dying. It is the fish commonly known as the dolphin. See Coryphaenoid.

3. (n.) A mass of iron or lead hung from the yardarm, in readiness to be dropped on the deck of an enemy's vessel.

4. (n.) A kind of wreath or strap of plaited cordage.

5. (n.) A spar or buoy held by an anchor and furnished with a ring to which ships may fasten their cables.

6. (n.) A mooring post on a wharf or beach.

7. (n.) A permanent fender around a heavy boat just below the gunwale.

8. (n.) In old ordnance, one of the handles above the trunnions by which the gun was lifted.

9. (n.) A small constellation between Aquila and Pegasus. See Delphinus, n., 2.

DOLPHIN

dol'-fin. See BADGER.

Croesus.
... of Minerva's temple."Stratagem of Thrasybulus"Success of the stratagem."A treaty
of peace concluded."Story of Arion and the dolphin."The alternative ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter iv croesus.htm

A Prefatory Letter.
... surprising region in which "geometry, algebra, and the theory of numbers melt into
one another like sunset tints, or the colours of a dying dolphin," may be of ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/a prefatory letter.htm

The Moody Colportage Library
... Walton 58 Naaman the Syrian. AB Mackay 60 Weighed and Wanting. DL Moody 61 The Crew
of the Dolphin. Hesba Stretton 63 Meet for the Master's Use. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/moodys stories/the moody colportage library.htm

The World
... A fading paint, the short-lived bliss. Of air and humour [154] ; out and in,. Like
colours in a dolphin's skin: But must not live beyond one day,. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cxxxiii the world.htm

The Constellations.
... Poseidon also placed the dolphin in the sky for the sake of Amphitrite; and he gave
a place among the stars to Orion the son of Euryale, the daughter of Minos ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xvii the constellations.htm

Of the Captivity of the Saints, and that Divine Consolation Never ...
... believe what they read in their own books, that Arion of Methymna, the famous lyrist,
[75] when he was thrown overboard, was received on a dolphin's back and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 14 of the captivity of.htm

Against the Arians, and Concerning Himself.
... Which of these is a crime? Would anyone abuse a dolphin for not being a land animal,
or an ox because it is not aquatic, or a lamprey because it is amphibious? ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxiii against the arians.htm

Andromeda
... anger of Nereus Ranges, the king of the shore; if he see on a glittering shallow,
Chasing the bass and the mullet, the fin of a wallowing dolphin, Halting, he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/andromeda.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... The Hittites paid tribute, as also did Phoenicia, where he sailed on the
Mediterranean in a ship of Arvad and killed a dolphin in its waters. ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

The Stage as it was Once.
... times"so the legend ran"an old black wooden image, a woman with a horse's head and
mane, and serpents growing round her head, who held a dolphin in one ...
/.../kingsley/lectures delivered in america in 1874/lecture ii the stage as.htm

Dolphin
... 1. (n.) A cetacean of the genus Delphinus and allied genera (esp. D. delphis);
the true dolphin. ... It is the fish commonly known as the dolphin. ...
/d/dolphin.htm - 7k

Badger (9 Occurrences)
... A seal, Monachus albiventer (Arabic fukmeh), the porpoise, Phocoena comrnunis, and
the common dolphin, Delphinus delphis, are all found in the Mediterranean. ...
/b/badger.htm - 14k

Domain (5 Occurrences)

/d/domain.htm - 8k

Zoology
... Deer, Red Deer (sv DEER) (3) Camelidae, Camel PROBOSCIDEA: Elephant HYRACOIDEA:
Coney SIRENIA: Dugong (sv BADGER) CETACNA: Whale, Dolphin, Porpoise RODENTIA ...
/z/zoology.htm - 18k

Doleful (2 Occurrences)

/d/doleful.htm - 8k

Porpoise (14 Occurrences)
... Called also harbor porpoise, herring hag, puffing pig, and snuffer. 2. (n.) A
true dolphin (Delphinus); -- often so called by sailors. Int. ...
/p/porpoise.htm - 11k

Aquila (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A genus of eagles. 2. (n.) A northern constellation
southerly from Lyra and Cygnus and preceding the Dolphin; the Eagle. Int. ...
/a/aquila.htm - 13k

Skin (115 Occurrences)
... The Hebrew name of the animal (tachash) is the same as the Arabic tuchas, which
means the dolphin and the "sea-cow" or halicore of the Red Sea, of which genus ...
/s/skin.htm - 44k

Money (284 Occurrences)
... Phoenician standard of about 220 grains, which represents, on the obverse, the god
Melkarth, the Tyrian Hercules, tiding on a seahorse, and, beneath, a dolphin...
/m/money.htm - 69k

Dolphin: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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