Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, the provision of the "herb of the field" as food for beasts is a significant aspect of God's creation and His providential care for all living creatures. This provision is first mentioned in the Book of Genesis, where God outlines the dietary plan for both humans and animals in the newly created world.Genesis 1:29-30 : "Then God said, 'Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food. And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.' And it was so." In these verses, God establishes a harmonious order in which both humans and animals are sustained by the vegetation He has created. The "green plant" or "herb of the field" is designated as the primary source of sustenance for all terrestrial creatures. This reflects the initial state of creation, characterized by peace and the absence of predation, where all creatures coexist without the need for violence or bloodshed. The provision of herbs for animals underscores the Creator's comprehensive care and the sufficiency of His creation. It also highlights the interconnectedness of life, where the earth's vegetation serves as a foundational element in the ecosystem, supporting a wide array of life forms. Genesis 9:3 : "Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you; just as I gave you the green plant, I now give you all things." After the Flood, God expands the dietary options for humanity to include animal flesh, yet the original provision of plants for animals remains unchanged. This indicates a continuity in God's care for the animal kingdom, ensuring that they have the necessary resources for survival. The biblical provision of herbs for animals is also reflected in the wisdom literature and prophetic writings, where the natural order and God's provision are celebrated. For instance, in the Psalms, the psalmist acknowledges God's provision for all creatures: Psalm 104:14 : "He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth." This verse reiterates the theme of divine provision, emphasizing that God actively sustains His creation by causing the grass to grow, thereby feeding the livestock and, by extension, supporting human life. In the prophetic vision of a restored creation, the peaceful coexistence of all creatures is once again highlighted. The prophet Isaiah envisions a future where the natural order is restored to its original harmony: Isaiah 11:6-7 : "The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat; the calf and young lion and fattened calf will be together, and a little child will lead them. The cow will graze with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox." This eschatological vision reflects a return to the Edenic state, where predation is absent, and all creatures, including traditionally carnivorous ones, subsist on plant-based diets. The imagery of the lion eating straw like the ox serves as a powerful symbol of peace and the restoration of God's original design for creation. In summary, the biblical provision of the "herb of the field" for beasts underscores God's meticulous care for His creation, the interconnectedness of life, and the hope for a future restoration of harmony in the natural world. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 1:30And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creeps on the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Of the Fall of Man. Daily Bread. Essay Whether There was any Reasonable Cause for the Ceremonial ... Chapter ii Concerning the Unity of God . On the Article, I Believe in one God ... Chapter iii Mosaic Cosmogony. Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ... Rom. xv. 8 Resources What impact did Marcus Aurelius have on Christian history? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the little horn in the book of Daniel? | GotQuestions.org Were fish and sea creatures also destroyed during the Flood (Genesis 6-8)? | GotQuestions.org Beasts: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Beasts: Capable of Being Tamed Beasts: Clean used for Sacrifice Beasts: Clean: First Born of, not Redeemed Beasts: Clean: How Distinguished Beasts: Creation of, Exhibits God's Power Beasts: Devoid of Understanding Beasts: Differ in Flesh from Birds and Fishes Beasts: Domestic: Not to be Cruelly Used Beasts: Domestic: To be Taken Care of Beasts: Domestic: To Enjoy the Sabbath Beasts: Early Distinguished Into Clean and Unclean Beasts: Frequently Suffered on Account of the Sins of Men Beasts: Given to Man for Food After the Flood Beasts: Habitations of Dens and Caves Beasts: Habitations of Deserted Cities Beasts: Habitations of Under Spreading Trees Beasts: Herb of the Field Given To, for Food Beasts: History of, Written by Solomon Beasts: Instinctively Fear Man Beasts: Lessons of Wisdom to be Learned From Beasts: Made for the Praise and Glory of God Beasts: Man by Nature No Better Than Beasts: Many Kinds of, Domestic Beasts: Many Kinds of, Noisome and Destructive Beasts: No Likeness of, to be Worshipped Beasts: Not to be Eaten Alive or With Blood Beasts: Often Cut off for the Sins of Men Beasts: Often Used As Instruments of Punishment Beasts: People of Different Nations Beasts: Power Over, Given to Man Beasts: Received Their Names from Adam Beasts: Representations of, Worshipped by the Heathen Beasts: Subjects of God's Care Beasts: Supply Clothing to Man Beasts: That Died Naturally or Were Torn, not to be Eaten Beasts: Unclean: Caused Uncleanness when Dead Beasts: Unclean: First Born of, Redeemed Beasts: Unclean: How Distinguished Beasts: Unclean: Not offered in Sacrifice Related Terms |
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