Topical Encyclopedia In the context of the Bible, the term "snail" appears in the Old Testament, specifically in the poetic literature. The Hebrew word often translated as "snail" is "שַׁבְּלוּל" (shablul), which is mentioned in the Psalms. The reference to the snail is found in Psalm 58:8 : "Like a slug that dissolves in its slime, like a woman's stillborn child, may they never see the sun."This verse is part of an imprecatory psalm, where the psalmist calls for divine justice against the wicked. The imagery of the snail, or slug, dissolving in its slime is a vivid metaphor for the eventual downfall and futility of the wicked. The snail's slow movement and the trail of slime it leaves behind serve as a symbol of decay and impermanence, emphasizing the transient nature of evil and the ultimate triumph of righteousness. In biblical times, the snail was not a creature of significant economic or dietary importance, unlike other animals mentioned in the Scriptures. However, its presence in the text serves a symbolic purpose, illustrating moral and spiritual truths. The use of such imagery would have been familiar to the ancient Israelites, who observed the natural world closely and drew lessons from it. The Bible does not provide specific dietary laws concerning snails, unlike other creatures that are explicitly mentioned in the dietary codes found in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. The focus on clean and unclean animals in these books primarily concerns land animals, birds, and sea creatures, with no direct reference to snails. In the broader biblical narrative, the snail's mention is limited, and its role is primarily metaphorical. The use of natural imagery, such as that of the snail, reflects the biblical authors' intent to communicate deeper spiritual truths through the observation of God's creation. The snail, in its humble and seemingly insignificant existence, becomes a tool for illustrating the moral lessons and divine justice that permeate the Scriptures. Torrey's Topical Textbook Leviticus 11:30And the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 58:8 Library Letter cxxv. To Rusticus. part ii Resources What does the Bible say about dinosaurs? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Reptilian conspiracy? | GotQuestions.org What is the great deception in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Reptiles: Cockatrice or Basilisk Reptiles: Flying Fiery Serpent Reptiles: Jews Condemned for Worshipping Reptiles: Made for Praise and Glory of God Reptiles: No Image of Similitude of, to be Made for Worshipping Reptiles: Placed Under the Dominion of Man Reptiles: Solomon Wrote a History of Reptiles: Unclean and not Eaten Reptiles: Worshipped by Gentiles Related Terms |
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