4605 animals, religious role of

Central to the OT sacrificial system, they were governed by strict laws within the Mosaic code.

Animals as defined by the Law of Moses

Animals for food Lev 20:25-26 See also Ex 22:31; Lev 22:8; Dt 12:15-16,21; Dt 14:3-8; Eze 4:14; Eze 44:31; Ac 10:9-14; Ac 11:6; Ac 15:19-20

Animals dedicated to the Lord Ex 13:1-2 See also Lev 27:9-13,26-28,32-33; Nu 18:15

Domestic animals Ex 21:33-36; Ex 22:10-15; Lev 24:18-21

Relationships with animals forbidden Ex 22:19; Lev 19:19

Animal carcasses Lev 11:39

Animals in the context of Israel’s sacrificial system

Used in various sacrifices Lev 1:1-2; Ps 66:15 See also Ge 8:20; Lev 3:1; Nu 7:87-88; Dt 16:2; 2Ch 29:32-33; 2Ch 35:10-13

Animals forbidden as sacrifices Mal 1:8 See also Lev 22:24-25; Dt 15:21; Mal 1:13-14

Animals in the context of judgment

Involved in judgment Zep 1:3 See also Ge 6:7; Ge 7:20-23 the flood The plagues of Egypt: Ex 9:22-25; Ex 13:15; Ps 135:8
Jer 9:10; Jer 12:4; Jer 50:3; Eze 25:12-13; Joel 1:19-20; Hab 2:17; Zec 14:15

As agents of judgment Lev 26:21-22 See also Eze 33:27; Eze 39:4,17-18; Da 4:31-32; Hos 2:12

See also