Quadrupeds, or four-footed animals, are mentioned throughout the Bible in various contexts, often symbolizing strength, service, and the natural order established by God. These creatures are part of God's creation, serving both practical and symbolic roles in biblical narratives.

Creation and Dominion

In the Genesis account of creation, quadrupeds are included among the living creatures that God created on the sixth day. Genesis 1:24-25 states, "And God said, 'Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind.' And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good." Here, quadrupeds are part of the broader category of "living creatures" that inhabit the earth, demonstrating the diversity and richness of God's creation.

God granted humans dominion over these animals, as seen in Genesis 1:26 : "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.'" This dominion implies stewardship and responsibility, highlighting the role of quadrupeds in the service and sustenance of humanity.

Clean and Unclean Animals

The distinction between clean and unclean animals is a significant theme in the Mosaic Law, particularly in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. Quadrupeds are categorized based on specific criteria, such as chewing the cud and having a split hoof. Leviticus 11:3 states, "You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud." This classification was essential for dietary laws and ritual purity, reflecting the Israelites' covenant relationship with God.

Sacrificial System

Quadrupeds played a crucial role in the sacrificial system of ancient Israel. Animals such as bulls, goats, and sheep were commonly used in offerings to atone for sin, express gratitude, or seek favor from God. For instance, Leviticus 1:2-3 instructs, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When any of you brings an offering to the LORD, you may bring as your offering an animal from the herd or the flock. If one's offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer an unblemished male. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, so that he may be accepted by the LORD.'" These sacrifices foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

Symbolism and Imagery

Quadrupeds are often used symbolically in biblical literature. For example, the lion represents strength and majesty, as seen in Proverbs 30:30 : "a lion, mighty among beasts, retreating before nothing." Similarly, the ox is a symbol of service and labor, as noted in Proverbs 14:4 : "Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest."

In prophetic literature, quadrupeds can symbolize nations or leaders. Daniel 7:3-6 describes four great beasts, each representing a kingdom, with the first being "like a lion" and the second "like a bear." These images convey the power and influence of earthly kingdoms in contrast to God's eternal dominion.

Practical Uses

Quadrupeds were integral to the daily life and economy of ancient Israel. They provided transportation, agricultural labor, clothing, and food. The donkey, for instance, was a common beast of burden, as seen in the account of Balaam (Numbers 22:21-33). Sheep and goats were vital for their wool, milk, and meat, underscoring the dependence of human society on these animals for survival and prosperity.

In summary, quadrupeds in the Bible are multifaceted, serving as symbols of strength and service, integral components of the sacrificial system, and essential elements of daily life. They reflect the order and purpose inherent in God's creation, illustrating the interconnectedness of all living things under His sovereign care.

Manich??us Got the Arrangement of his Fanciful Notions from ...
... Where he got the idea of the quadrupeds in fire, no one can tell. ... The reason
usually given is, that quadrupeds are voracious and salacious. ...
/.../chapter 32 name got the.htm

On the Work of the Sixth Day (One Article)
... species. But beasts and cattle are quadrupeds. Therefore quadrupeds ought
not to be enumerated as a class with beasts and cattle. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/on the work of the 4.htm

Recapitulation of Former Exhortations. ...
... that God made the heaven, the earth, the sea, the air, the waters, the multitude
of stars, the two great lights, the plants, the quadrupeds, the swimming and ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily vii recapitulation of former.htm

Of the Sixth Day.
... And on the sixth day, God having made the quadrupeds, and wild beasts, and the land
reptiles, pronounced no blessing upon them, reserving His blessing for man ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xvii of the sixth day.htm

Whether a Suitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which ...
... unfittingly offered to God. Objection 2: Further, only three kinds of quadrupeds
were offered in sacrifice to God, viz. oxen, sheep and ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a suitable cause can.htm

The Manich??an Fictions About Things Good and Evil are not ...
... to the animals born in each of these elements,"serpents in the darkness, swimming
creatures in the waters, flying creatures in the winds, quadrupeds in the ...
/.../chapter 9 name manichaean fictions.htm

The Apocalypse of Sedrach.
... or dost thou not in so doing render evil for evil? I know that among the quadrupeds
there is no other so wily and unreasonable as the mule. ...
/.../unknown/the apocalypse of sedrach/the apocalypse of sedrach.htm

Faustus Willing to Believe not Only that the Jewish but that all ...
... Moses is very particular about the distinction in animal foods, and discourses like
an epicure on the merits of fish, and birds, and quadrupeds, and orders ...
/.../faustus willing to believe not.htm

Genesis.
... And over the whole fields diffuses herds. Of quadrupeds; and mandate gave that all.
Should grow with multiplying seed, and roam. 30 And feed in earth's immensity ...
/.../unknown/fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/3 genesis.htm

Conclusion
... For, as water is naturally a proper element for fish, dry land for quadrupeds, and
air for birds, so indeed it ought to be more easy to live according to the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/the training of a public speaker/conclusion.htm

Quadrupeds (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Quadrupeds (3 Occurrences). Acts 10:12 In it were
all kinds of quadrupeds, reptiles and birds, (WEY DBY). ...
/q/quadrupeds.htm - 7k

Cattle (277 Occurrences)
... (n. pl.) Quadrupeds of the Bovine family; sometimes, also, including all domestic
quadrupeds, as sheep, goats, horses, mules, asses, and swine. Int. ...
/c/cattle.htm - 52k

Quadrans (1 Occurrence)

/q/quadrans.htm - 6k

Quaff (1 Occurrence)

/q/quaff.htm - 6k

Various (52 Occurrences)
... Acts 11:6 Fixing my eyes on it, I examined it closely, and saw various kinds
of quadrupeds, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. (WEY). ...
/v/various.htm - 22k

Kinds (110 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV). Acts 11:6 Fixing my eyes on it, I examined it closely, and
saw various kinds of quadrupeds, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. (WEY). ...
/k/kinds.htm - 36k

Ox (197 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) The male of bovine quadrupeds, especially the domestic
animal when castrated and grown to its full size, or nearly so. ...
/o/ox.htm - 43k

Fowls (61 Occurrences)
... Romans 1:23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the likeness of
an image of corruptible man, and of fowls, and of quadrupeds, and of reptiles. ...
/f/fowls.htm - 25k

Fixing (13 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Acts 11:6 Fixing my eyes on it, I examined it closely, and saw various
kinds of quadrupeds, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. (WEY). ...
/f/fixing.htm - 10k

Reptiles (6 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY RSV NIV). Acts 11:6 Fixing my eyes on it, I examined it closely, and saw
various kinds of quadrupeds, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. (WEY RSV NIV). ...
/r/reptiles.htm - 8k

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