Beasts: Supply Clothing to Man
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Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical narrative, the role of animals, or "beasts," in supplying clothing to humanity is a significant theme that underscores God's provision and care for His creation. This theme is first introduced in the early chapters of Genesis and is woven throughout the Scriptures.

Genesis 3:21
The first instance of beasts supplying clothing to man occurs immediately after the Fall. In Genesis 3:21, it is written: "The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." . This act of God providing garments made from animal skins signifies the first recorded instance of animals being used to meet human needs. It also symbolizes God's mercy and provision, even in the face of human disobedience. The use of animal skins implies the necessity of sacrifice, foreshadowing the sacrificial system that would later be established under the Mosaic Law.

Levitical Law and Sacrificial System
The Levitical laws further elaborate on the use of animals in providing for human needs, including clothing. The Israelites were instructed to use the skins of sacrificial animals for various purposes. While the primary focus of these sacrifices was atonement and worship, the practical use of animal skins for clothing and other needs was an accepted and necessary part of life. This reflects a broader biblical principle of stewardship and the responsible use of God's creation.

Proverbs 31:13
The virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31 is noted for her industriousness and resourcefulness, including her work with wool and flax: "She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands." . While this verse does not directly mention animals supplying clothing, it highlights the importance of natural resources, including those derived from animals, in the production of garments. Wool, a product of sheep, is a recurring material in biblical times, emphasizing the ongoing relationship between humans and animals in the provision of clothing.

New Testament Context
In the New Testament, while the direct mention of animals supplying clothing is less prominent, the principle of God's provision remains. Jesus, in His teachings, often used illustrations from nature to convey God's care for humanity. In Matthew 6:25-30, Jesus encourages His followers not to worry about clothing, using the lilies of the field as an example of God's provision. This teaching reinforces the idea that God, who provides for the natural world, will also provide for human needs, including clothing.

Symbolism and Spiritual Implications
The provision of clothing from animals carries deep symbolic and spiritual implications. It serves as a reminder of the cost of sin and the necessity of sacrifice for atonement. The garments of skin provided to Adam and Eve can be seen as a precursor to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who, as the Lamb of God, covers the sins of humanity. This theme of covering and atonement is central to the Christian understanding of salvation and redemption.

Throughout the Bible, the use of animals to supply clothing to man is a testament to God's provision and the interconnectedness of His creation. It highlights the responsibility of humans to steward these resources wisely and acknowledges the sacrificial elements inherent in the provision of clothing, pointing ultimately to the redemptive work of Christ.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Genesis 3:21
To Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 31:20
If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Production of the Beasts and of Man.
... other animals, because wisdom was able to supply those things ... given to man the teeth
of wild beasts, or horns ... you take from these the natural clothing of their ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap ii of the production of.htm

Of the Blessings with which the Creator Has Filled this Life ...
... Moreover, even in the body, though it dies like that of the beasts, and is in many
ways weaker than theirs ... how abundant the supply of clothing furnished us ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 24 of the blessings with.htm

Letter xiii. Christian Activity.
... And she formed little societies of ladies, to supply them with clothing. ... him, to
stumble over precipices, sink in the mire, or be devoured by wild beasts! ...
/.../letter xiii christian activity.htm

Philippians iii. 3-Jan
... finer by the same means as the very beasts that carry them ... Does it not supply the
same need as to him, whose ... He gave clothing to cover us, not to make a display ...
/.../homily x philippians iii 3-jan.htm

On the Fast of the Tenth Month.
... as the Saviour foretold, "in sheeps' clothing, but inwardly ... the whole herd of such
wild beasts has separated ... the charges against them exceeds my supply of words ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xvi on the fast.htm

Letter Xliii. To Marcella.
... 2. Have we, brute beasts that we are, ever done ... be which thou hast provided?" [905]
The clothing which we ... greens watered by our own hands, will supply us with ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xliii to marcella.htm

On Helping the Poor.
... to the thirsty, drink; to the naked, clothing; to the ... service of men, flesh for the
wild beasts, seeds for ... from such as walk holily, and supply the afflicted. ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on helping the poor.htm

The Mosaic Law the Fountain of all Ethics, and the Source from ...
... in the law's prohibiting a man from "wearing woman's clothing "? ... to ease and raise
up the beasts of enemies ... has been brought forth, away from the supply of the ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xviii the mosaic law the.htm

The Life of Malchus, the Captive Monk.
... being so excessive as to allow of no clothing beyond a ... and with the strength gained
from the new supply of grain ... in the midst of swords, and wild beasts of the ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the life of malchus the.htm

"And this is his Commandment," &C.
... all such, who have no bread and clothing, who are ... up by obedience and suffering to
supply our disobedience. ... goes away, these wild and savage beasts of darkness ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iii and this is.htm

Resources
What impact did Marcus Aurelius have on Christian history? | GotQuestions.org

What 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

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Subtopics

Beasts

Beasts by Nature Wild

Beasts: Antichrist

Beasts: Being Four-Footed

Beasts: Capable of Being Tamed

Beasts: Clean used for Food

Beasts: Clean used for Sacrifice

Beasts: Clean: Chamois

Beasts: Clean: Fallow Deer

Beasts: Clean: First Born of, not Redeemed

Beasts: Clean: Goat

Beasts: Clean: Hart

Beasts: Clean: How Distinguished

Beasts: Clean: Ox

Beasts: Clean: Pygarg

Beasts: Clean: Roebuck

Beasts: Clean: Sheep

Beasts: Clean: Wild Goat

Beasts: Clean: Wild Ox

Beasts: Created by God

Beasts: Creation of, Exhibits God's Power

Beasts: Devoid of Immortality

Beasts: Devoid of Speech

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: Found in Deserts

Beasts: Found in Fields

Beasts: Found in Forests

Beasts: Found in Mountains

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: Kingdoms

Beasts: Lessons of Wisdom to be Learned From

Beasts: Liable to Diseases

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: Persecutors

Beasts: Possessed of Instinct

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: The Property of God

Beasts: The Wicked

Beasts: Unclean: Ape

Beasts: Unclean: Ass

Beasts: Unclean: Badger

Beasts: Unclean: Bear

Beasts: Unclean: Behemoth

Beasts: Unclean: Camel

Beasts: Unclean: Caused Uncleanness when Dead

Beasts: Unclean: Coney

Beasts: Unclean: Dog

Beasts: Unclean: Dromedary

Beasts: Unclean: Ferret

Beasts: Unclean: First Born of, Redeemed

Beasts: Unclean: Fox

Beasts: Unclean: Hare

Beasts: Unclean: Horse

Beasts: Unclean: How Distinguished

Beasts: Unclean: Leopard

Beasts: Unclean: Lion

Beasts: Unclean: Mole

Beasts: Unclean: Mouse

Beasts: Unclean: Mule

Beasts: Unclean: Not Eaten

Beasts: Unclean: Not offered in Sacrifice

Beasts: Unclean: Swine

Beasts: Unclean: Weasel

Beasts: Unclean: Wild Ass

Beasts: Unclean: Wild Ox

Beasts: Unclean: Wolf

Beasts: Ungodly Professors

Related Terms

Beat (85 Occurrences)

Beasts (241 Occurrences)

Beasts: Subjects of God's Care
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