45 Animal Symbolism
ANIMAL SYMBOLISM - Symbolism of various animals in Scripture.
Bears - A threat to man and beast, prone to attack man (2 Ki. 2:24; 2 Sam. 17:8;
Lam. 3:10). Made nice in Kingdom (Isa. 11:7).
Camels - Symbolic of wealth (Gen. 12:16; Matt. 19:23-26).
Cattle - Oxen as a measure of wealth (Job 42:12). Beasts of burden (1 Chr.
12:40). Draught animals (Deut. 22:10). Meat (Gen. 18:7). Sacrificial
offerings (2 Sam. 6:13).
Dragons - The dragon is a crafty creature representing evil. Occasionally used
when the intended meaning was probably jackal (Lam. 4:3). Sea
serpent (Ps. 91:13), or even crocodile (Ezek. 29:3-4). Symbolic of sin in
a political and or religious system (Rev. 12:3-17; 16:13; 20:2).
Deer - Admired for its agility and grace, its ability to sense danger quickly, and its
Swiftness and gentle care of her young (Song 4:5; 7:3). As the deer
pant for the water (Ps. 42:1).
Dogs - Used as a derogatory symbol, lowest forms of behavior by men, those
who think that they are spiritual but are actually worldly..
(Matt. 7:6; Mk. 7:27; Phil. 3:2; Rev. 22:15).
Dove - The dove symbolizes peace, love, forgiveness, and the church.
(Matt. 3:16; Mk. 1:10; Lk. 3:22).
Eagle - Speed, vision, soaring (Deut. 28:49; Isa. 40:31; Ezk. 1:10, 10:14;
Hab. 1:8; Rev. 12:14). Symbol of God's judgment (Jer. 48:40;
Ezek. 17:3,7). Gods intervention (Rev. 12:14). Renewing strength
(Ps. 103:5; Isa. 40:31).
Fish - Compares captive Israel to helpless fish gathered into a dragnet
(Hab. 1:14-17). Jesus, called his disciples to become "fishers of men"
(Matt 4:19; Mark 1:17). The fish has been a symbol of Christianity.
Greek word for fish- ichthus - is an acrostic for "Jesus Christ, Son of
God, Savior.
Goat - Represents stubbornness and irresponsible leadership (Jer. 50:8;
Zech. 10:3). Judgment as unrighteous people (Matt. 25:32-33).
Scapegoat (Lev. 16:10). Young goats are as kids
(Gen. 27:9,16; Num. 7:87).
Horses - Traded for food (Gen. 47:17). Carried messages (Est. 8:10,14).
Pharaoh's horses and (Ex. 14:9). Do not to place their faith in the
strength and speed of horses (Ps. 20:7) or to "multiply" horses
(Deut. 17:16). Used for war (Job 39:19-25). Stallion in speaking of
horses (Jer. 8:16; 47:3; 50:11, RSV). Symbol of a "well-fed, lusty
stallion" (Jer 5:8, NKJV).describing the idolatry and unfaithfulness of
God's people. "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," (Rev. 6:1-8).
"King of kings and Lord of lords" (Rev. 19:11-16).
Leopards - Symbolically as an instrument of God's judgment: "A leopard will
watch over their cities. Everyone who goes out from there shall be torn
in pieces" (Jer 5:6). Daniel and Revelation use the leopard symbolic of
swiftness in cruelty (Dan 7:6; Rev 13:2).
Lion - Daniels in lions' den (Dan. 6). Samson and David killed lions
singlehandedly (Jdg. 14:5-6; 1 Sam. 17:34-37). "The Lord also will roar
from Zion" (Joel 3:16). God would be like a protective lion for the nation
of Israel (Hos. 5:14; panther, NEB). Most common term for lion, means
"the strong one. Jesus is called "the lion of Judah" (Rev. 5:5). Isaiah the
prophet foretold that at the end of time, the Prince of Peace would tame
even the fierce heart of the lion (Isa 9:6-7; 11:1-9).
Sheep - Represent believers who are helpless, prone to wander, and always in
need of a shepherd. God nurturing as a shepherd (Ps. 23). Jesus, the
Good Shepherd, His sheep are His followers (Jn. 10:1-18). Sheep were
models of submissiveness. Jesus, "the Lamb of God" (Jn. 1:29,36).
Snake - Symbolized treachery and subtlety, sin nature (Gen. 3:1-14, 49:17;
Ps. 58:4; Matt. 23:29, 33; 2 Cor. 11:3) Very first animal in Scripture
(Gen. 3). Fiery serpents (Num. 21:6). Symbol of evil and wrongdoing
(Ps. 140:3; Jer. 8:17). Bronze serpent worshiped (2 Ki. 18:4).
Swine -. Israel's enemies were likened to a boar out of the woods (Ps. 80:13).
A symbol of greed and filth, pigs symbolized a person's unredeemed
nature (2 Pet. 2:22).
Wolves - False teachers who prey upon the sheep (Matt. 7:15).
