Topical Encyclopedia In the context of the Bible, the concept of "species" as understood in modern biological taxonomy is not explicitly addressed. However, the Scriptures do provide insights into the diversity of living creatures, their creation, and their roles within God's creation.Creation and Diversity The Book of Genesis provides the foundational account of the creation of living beings. Genesis 1:11-12 states, "Then God said, 'Let the earth bring forth vegetation, seed-bearing plants and fruit trees, each bearing fruit with seed according to its kind.' And it was so. The earth produced vegetation, seed-bearing plants according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good." This passage introduces the concept of "kinds," which can be understood as a biblical precursor to the modern idea of species, emphasizing the distinct and ordered creation of life forms. Further, Genesis 1:20-25 describes the creation of animals: "And God said, 'Let the waters teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.' So God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters teemed, according to their kinds, and every bird of flight according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Then 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." This passage highlights the diversity and orderliness of God's creation, with each creature made according to its kind. Dominion and Stewardship The Bible also speaks to humanity's relationship with the various species of the earth. Genesis 1:26-28 states, "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.' So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.'" This passage establishes humanity's role as stewards of God's creation, tasked with the responsibility to care for and manage the earth and its creatures. The Fall and Its Impact The fall of man, as described in Genesis 3, brought about significant changes to the natural world. Romans 8:20-22 reflects on the impact of sin on creation: "For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time." This passage suggests that the fall introduced a state of corruption and decay affecting all species, awaiting redemption. Symbolism and Lessons Throughout the Bible, various species are used symbolically to convey spiritual truths. For example, the lion often represents strength and majesty (Proverbs 30:30), while the lamb symbolizes innocence and sacrifice, most notably in reference to Jesus Christ as the "Lamb of God" (John 1:29). The ant is used as an example of diligence and wisdom in Proverbs 6:6-8 : "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways and be wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food at harvest." Conclusion The Bible, while not a scientific text, provides a framework for understanding the diversity and purpose of species within God's creation. It emphasizes the order, intentionality, and beauty of the natural world, as well as humanity's responsibility to steward it wisely. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A biological grouping of similar organisms able to breed among themselves; a conception subordinated to another conception, called a genus, or generic conception, from which it differs in containing or comprehending more attributes, and extending to fewer individuals. Thus, man is a species, under animal as a genus; and man, in its turn, may be regarded as a genus with respect to European, American, or the like, as species.2. (n.) Visible or sensible presentation; appearance; a sensible percept received by the imagination; an image. 3. (n.) In science, a more or less permanent group of existing things or beings, associated according to attributes, or properties determined by scientific observation. 4. (n.) A sort; a kind; a variety; as, a species of low cunning; a species of generosity; a species of cloth. 5. (n.) Coin, or coined silver, gold, or other metal, used as a circulating medium; specie. 6. (n.) A public spectacle or exhibition. 7. (n.) A component part of compound medicine; a simple. 8. (n.) An officinal mixture or compound powder of any kind; esp., one used for making an aromatic tea or tisane; a tea mixture. 9. (n.) The form or shape given to materials; fashion or shape; form; figure. Greek 1040. bussos -- byssus (a species of flax), also (the) linen (made ... ... byssus (a species of flax), also (the) linen (made from it). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: bussos Phonetic Spelling: (boos'-sos) Short ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1040.htm - 6k 1491. eidos -- appearance, fashion, shape, sight. 1016. bous -- an ox, a cow 5449. phusis -- nature 4807. sukaminos -- the mulberry tree, the sycamine Strong's Hebrew 4327. min -- kind, species... kind, species. Transliteration: min Phonetic Spelling: (meen) Short Definition: kind. ... From an unused root meaning to portion out; a sort, ie Species -- kind. ... /hebrew/4327.htm - 6k 3581a. koach -- a small reptile (of unknown species) 8321a. soreq -- (choice species of) the vine 3581. koach -- a small reptile (of unknown species) 8321. soreq -- (choice species of) the vine 8227. shaphan -- hyrax 6632. tsab -- a litter 8377. teo -- antelope 8645. tirzah -- (a tree) perhaps cypress 8464. tachmas -- male ostrich Library Whether the Angels Differ in Species? Whether the Soul is of the Same Species as an Angel? Whether the Sacramental Species are Broken in this Sacrament? Whether the Species Derived from the End is Contained under the ... Species is Produced by Species in Succession. Whether Heresy is a Species of Unbelief? Whether the Intelligible Species are Derived by the Soul from ... The Origin of Species. Whether Sacrilege Can be a Species of Lust? Whether the Species of Sacrilege are Distinguished According to ... Thesaurus Species (1 Occurrence)... Thus, man is a species, under animal as a genus; and man, in its turn, may be regarded as a genus with respect to European, American, or the like, as species. ... /s/species.htm - 8k Sheep (413 Occurrences) Acacia (28 Occurrences) Wormwood (10 Occurrences) Wolf (4 Occurrences) Turtledove (5 Occurrences) Tamarisk (5 Occurrences) Snail (2 Occurrences) Serpent (40 Occurrences) Ass (95 Occurrences) Resources How did Noah fit all the animals on the Ark? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the theory of punctuated equilibrium? | GotQuestions.org How does the fact that human beings possess some Neanderthal DNA impact creationism? | GotQuestions.org Species: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Species (1 Occurrence)James 3:7 Subtopics Related Terms |
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