Topical Encyclopedia
Crawling, as a physical action, is mentioned in the Bible primarily in the context of creatures that move close to the ground. This term is often associated with the consequences of the Fall and the curse pronounced upon the serpent in the Garden of Eden. The act of crawling is symbolic of humiliation and subjugation, reflecting a state of degradation and defeat.
Genesis 3:14: The first and most significant mention of crawling is found in
Genesis 3:14, where God pronounces a curse upon the serpent after the deception of Eve: "So the LORD God said to the serpent: 'Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and every beast of the field! On your belly you will go, and dust you will eat all the days of your life.'" . This passage indicates that the serpent, which is often interpreted as a representation of Satan, is condemned to a life of crawling on its belly, symbolizing its fallen state and perpetual humiliation.
Leviticus 11:42: In the Mosaic Law, crawling creatures are classified among the unclean animals.
Leviticus 11:42 states, "Anything that moves on its belly, anything that walks on all fours, or anything with many feet—any creature that swarms on the ground—you are not to eat, for they are detestable." . This prohibition underscores the association of crawling creatures with impurity and the need for the Israelites to maintain ceremonial cleanliness.
Isaiah 65:25: The imagery of crawling is also used in prophetic literature to depict a future time of peace and restoration.
Isaiah 65:25 describes a harmonious creation: "The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but the serpent’s food will be dust. They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain, says the LORD." . Here, the serpent's continued consumption of dust serves as a reminder of its cursed state, even in a renewed creation.
Micah 7:17: In a prophetic context, crawling is used metaphorically to describe the subjugation of nations.
Micah 7:17 states, "They will lick the dust like a snake, like creatures that crawl on the ground. They will come trembling out of their dens; they will turn in dread to the LORD our God and will be afraid of you." . This imagery conveys the idea of nations humbled before God, acknowledging His sovereignty and power.
In summary, the concept of crawling in the Bible is closely linked to themes of judgment, humility, and the consequences of sin. It serves as a powerful symbol of the fallen state of creation and the ultimate triumph of God's righteousness and justice.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Crawl.
Greek
2062. herpeton -- a creeping thing... Word Origin from herpo (to crawl) Definition a creeping thing NASB Word Usage
crawling creatures (3), reptiles (1). creeping thing, serpent.
...Strong's Hebrew
2120. zocheleth -- acrawling thing, serpent... zocheleth. 2121 . a
crawling thing, serpent. Transliteration: zocheleth Phonetic
Spelling: (zo-kheh'-leth) Short Definition: Zoheleth. Word Origin fem.
...2119a. zachal -- to shrink back, crawl away
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to shrink back, crawl away NASB Word Usagecrawling
things (1), reptiles (1). 2119, 2119a. zachal. 2119b ....
Library
A Cultivated Conservative Friend of Mine once Exhibited Great...
... They used the ant for industry as the lark for punctuality; they looked up at the
flapping birds and down at thecrawling insects for a homely lesson....
Lukewarmness. The Loss of Grace. Inconvenience of Laxity in...
... At another time, when I was with that person, we saw, both of us, and others who
were present also saw, something like a great toadcrawling towards us, more...
Earliest Heretics:
... above had flashed refulgently in the lower regions, the angels had carefully tried
to form man after the similitude of that light; that man laycrawling on the...
Ophites, Cainites, Sethites.
... These inferior Virtues and angels, therefore, had made man; and, because he had
been originated by weaker and mediocre powers, he laycrawling, worm-like....
Of his Cross what Shall I Speak, what Say? this Extremest Kind of...
... Then it came to his flesh, he was stricken with a wound from head to foot; he was
one running sore, one mass ofcrawling worms: and showed himself immovable in...
It is Indeed a Greater Fight of Patience...
... From the head to the feet were burning pains, werecrawling worms, were running
sores; still in the rotting body the mind remained entire, and horrid as were...
How Great are the Benefits Conferred on Man through the Advent of...
... in Paradise, sported free, because he was the child of God; but when he succumbed
to pleasure (for the serpent allegorically signifies pleasurecrawling on its...
Impressive Phrases
... clear, distinct, obvious, and intelligible. clumsy,crawling, snobbish,
and comfort-loving. coarse, gross, offensive, and nauseous....
Mr. HG Wells and the Giants
... is always urged against the religious in the past, as a point of inconsistency and
duplicity, that they combined a profession of almostcrawling humility with...
The First Day his Father Resumed his Work, Diamond Went with Him...
... Mr. Raymond, however, was not surprided, for he was used to see such lovely
changes"-something like the change which passes upon thecrawling, many-footed...
Thesaurus
Crawling (20 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Crawling (20 Occurrences).
... Leviticus 11:20 Every winged
crawling thing that goeth upon all four shall be an abomination unto you.
...Crawl (5 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) The act or motion ofcrawling; slow motion, as of a creeping animal.... Like
crawling things of the earth they shall come trembling out of their dens....
Crawleth (5 Occurrences)
... Crawleth (5 Occurrences). Leviticus 11:41 And everycrawling thing which crawleth
on the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten. (DBY)....
Worm (22 Occurrences)
... where it is said, "They shall move out of their holes like worms," perhaps serpents
or "creeping things," or as in the Revised Version, "crawling things," are...
Poison (17 Occurrences)
... The passages in which poisonous serpents are mentioned are Deuteronomy 32:24, where
serpents (the Revised Version (British and American) "crawling things") of...
Vipers (10 Occurrences)
... bitter destruction. I will send the teeth of animals on them, With the poison
ofcrawling things of the dust. (See NIV). Deuteronomy...
Venom (8 Occurrences)
... wasted with hunger, and devoured with burning heat And bitter destruction; And the
teeth of beasts will I send upon them, With the poison ofcrawling things of...
Lick (8 Occurrences)
... Micah 7:17 They will lick the dust like a serpent. Likecrawling things
of the earth they shall come trembling out of their dens....
Glide (2 Occurrences)
... heat and bitter destruction. I will send the teeth of animals on them,
With the poison ofcrawling things of the dust. (See NIV)....
Wasting (57 Occurrences)
... wasted with hunger, and devoured with burning heat And bitter destruction; And the
teeth of beasts will I send upon them, With the poison ofcrawling things of...
Resources
Is it wrong to kill spiders or step on bugs? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I give my life to God? | GotQuestions.orgCrawling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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