Topical Bible: Beasts: Being Four-Footed

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In the Holy Scriptures, four-footed beasts are frequently mentioned, often symbolizing various aspects of God's creation and serving as a testament to His power and majesty. These creatures are part of the broader category of animals that God created, as described in the Genesis account of creation.

Creation and Purpose

The Book of Genesis provides the foundational understanding of four-footed beasts. On the sixth day of creation, God made the land animals, including four-footed beasts, as part of His perfect creation. 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."

These creatures were created with a purpose, to inhabit the earth and to be under the dominion of mankind, as God instructed Adam in Genesis 1:28 : "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 moves on the ground.'"

Symbolism and Use in Scripture

Four-footed beasts are often used symbolically in the Bible. In the Book of Daniel, for example, beasts are used to represent kingdoms and empires. Daniel 7:3-7 describes four great beasts, each different from the others, coming up out of the sea, symbolizing successive empires that would rise and fall.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul references four-footed beasts in his letter to the Romans, highlighting the folly of idolatry. Romans 1:22-23 states, "Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles." Here, Paul underscores the error of worshiping created things, including four-footed beasts, instead of the Creator.

Dietary Laws and Sacrificial System

Under the Mosaic Law, certain four-footed beasts were deemed clean or unclean, affecting their suitability for consumption and sacrifice. Leviticus 11 provides detailed instructions on which animals could be eaten. For instance, Leviticus 11:3 states, "You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud."

The sacrificial system also involved four-footed beasts, particularly livestock such as sheep, goats, and cattle. These animals were used in various offerings, symbolizing atonement and worship. The Passover lamb, a key element in the Jewish Passover celebration, is a notable example of a four-footed beast used in sacrifice, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.

Vision of Peter

In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter's vision in Acts 10 further illustrates the significance of four-footed beasts. In this vision, Peter sees a sheet descending from heaven, containing all kinds of four-footed animals, reptiles, and birds. Acts 10:12-13 records, "It contained all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, as well as birds of the air. Then a voice said to him, 'Get up, Peter, kill and eat.'"

This vision was pivotal in the early Church, symbolizing the removal of the dietary restrictions of the Old Covenant and the inclusion of Gentiles into the New Covenant community. It emphasized that God does not show favoritism but accepts people from every nation who fear Him and do what is right (Acts 10:34-35).

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, four-footed beasts serve as a reminder of God's creative power, His provision, and His sovereignty over all creation. They are integral to the biblical narrative, illustrating themes of dominion, idolatry, sacrifice, and the inclusivity of the Gospel message.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 10:12
Wherein were all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Being About to Prove that the Will, the Calling...
... And they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia." [1156] So
Paul ... as it were a sheet in which were all kinds of four-footed beasts and wild ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter x being about to.htm

On the Work of the Sixth Day (One Article)
... are of service to man: but by "beasts," wild animals ... word "quadruped" is used first
as being the genus ... reptiles, such as lizards and tortoises, are four-footed. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/on the work of the 4.htm

Indian Religions.
... his whole court, entirely composed of four-footed animals, like ... the earth, it was
necessary to change beasts into men ... Beside the First Being, or the Great Spirit ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/indian religions.htm

That the Excellency of the Christian Religion is Above all the ...
... of the image of corruptible man, and of birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping ...
of this universe, who is not only above every body, being incorporeal, but ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 10 that the excellency of.htm

And Antony Also was Exceeding Prudent, and the Wonder was that ...
... He took a human body for the salvation and well-being of man ... the divine to senseless
animals and consequently to worship four-footed beasts, creeping things and ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/life of antony section 72.htm

It Appears to Me that Celsus Has Also Misunderstood this Statement ...
... by Him, and pass from one body to another; [3813] or being formed at ... an image made
like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxx it appears to.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John xiv. 6, "I am the Way, and the ...
... of God, for that "the invisible things of Him are clearly seen, being understood
by ... image of a corruptible man, and of birds, and of four-footed beasts, and of ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xci on the words.htm

The Heresies Attacked by the Apostles.
... immortal,"not corruptible as bodies are, but immortal, as being rational and ... down
to the earth, wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts, and creeping ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii the heresies attacked by.htm

Letter ii. --For 330. Easter-Day xxiv Pharmuthi; xiii Kal. Mai ...
... in Thy city Thou wilt despise their image [3942] .' Thus, being changed into ... of the
corruptible image of man, and birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter ii for 330 easter-day xxiv.htm

Marriage not Abolished by the Commendation of virginity.
... cease to bring forth its fruits with creeping things and four-footed beasts, and
the ... of the image of God, while the world exists and is still being formed; for ...
/.../chapter i marriage not abolished by.htm