Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, fins are primarily mentioned in the context of dietary laws given to the Israelites. These laws are found in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, where God provides specific instructions on what creatures are considered clean and unclean for consumption.
Biblical References:1.
Leviticus 11:9-12 : "Of all the creatures that live in the water, whether in the seas or the streams, you may eat anything with fins and scales. But anything in the seas or streams that does not have fins and scales, among all the swarming things and all the other living creatures in the water, you are to regard as unclean. They shall be an abomination to you; you must not eat their meat, and you must detest their carcasses. Everything in the water that does not have fins and scales shall be detestable to you."
2.
Deuteronomy 14:9-10 : "Of all the creatures that live in the water, you may eat anything with fins and scales, but you may not eat anything that does not have fins and scales; it is unclean for you."
Theological Significance:The requirement for aquatic creatures to have both fins and scales to be considered clean is part of the broader Levitical dietary laws, which were given to the Israelites to set them apart as a holy people. These laws served not only as a means of physical health and hygiene but also as a spiritual discipline, teaching the Israelites obedience and the importance of distinguishing between the holy and the common.
Fins, along with scales, are used as criteria to identify clean fish, symbolizing discernment and separation from impurity. The emphasis on these physical characteristics underscores the importance of adhering to God's commandments and maintaining purity in all aspects of life.
Cultural and Historical Context:In the ancient Near Eastern context, dietary laws were a significant aspect of religious and cultural identity. The Israelites' adherence to these laws distinguished them from surrounding nations and reinforced their covenant relationship with God. The prohibition against consuming creatures without fins and scales likely served practical purposes as well, as many such creatures could be harmful or carry diseases.
Symbolic Interpretation:From a symbolic perspective, fins can be seen as representing the ability to navigate through the waters of life with direction and purpose. Just as fins enable fish to move efficiently and maintain balance, believers are called to live lives guided by the principles of God's Word, moving with purpose and maintaining spiritual balance.
Practical Application:While the specific dietary laws regarding fins and scales are not binding on Christians today, as the New Testament teaches that all foods are clean (
Mark 7:18-19,
Acts 10:15), the underlying principles of discernment, obedience, and holiness remain relevant. Christians are encouraged to apply these principles in their daily lives, seeking to honor God in all they do.
In summary, fins in the biblical context serve as a criterion for distinguishing clean from unclean aquatic creatures, reflecting broader themes of holiness, obedience, and discernment in the life of God's people.
Strong's Hebrew
5579. senappir -- a fin... 5578, 5579. senappir. 5580 . a fin. Transliteration: senappir Phonetic
Spelling: (sen-ap-peer') Short Definition:
fins. Word
...fins. Of
...Library
Whether There was any Reasonable Cause for the Ceremonial...
... In like manner certain fish lackingfins and scales were prohibited on account
of their excessive moisture; such as eels and the like....
Argument. --He First of all Asserts that the Law is Spiritual; and...
... So, in fishes also, the law said that those indeed were clean which were covered
with scales and supplied withfins, but that those which were otherwise were...
Entire Sanctification in Type.
... hoof, might then be eaten. And of aquatic, only such as have bothfins and
scales were to be accounted clean. There can be no doubt...
Whose Image and Superscription?
... Just as plainly as gills or lungs,fins or wings, or legs and arms, declare the
element in which the creature that possesses them is intended to move, so...
Of the Miracle which God Performed when St Anthony Being at Rimini...
... In the universal deluge, all other creatures perished; you alone did God preserve
from all harm. He has given youfins to enable you to go where you will....
The River of Egypt and Its Dragon, Contrasted with the Jordan.
... And I will put traps in thy jaws, and I will make the fishes of the river to stick
to thyfins, and I will bring thee up from the midst of thy river, and all...
The True Gnostic Exercises Patience and Self-Restraint.
... Similarly, repressing our desires, it forbade partaking of fishes which have neither
fins nor scales; for these surpass other fishes in fleshiness and fatness....
That There Shall be Different Degrees of the Union of the Blessed...
... the incredible vastness of the ocean; but not any fish, nor yet all the multitude
of fishes, ever saw all the shores of the sea or wetted theirfins in all its...
The Creation of Moving Creatures.
... Do we not see oviparous animals comprising every sort of fish, those which have
a skin and those which have scales, those which havefins and those which have...
The Heath in the Desert and the Tree by the River
... Not more surely do gills andfins proclaim that the creature that has them is meant
to roam through the boundless ocean, nor the anatomy and wings of the bird...
Thesaurus
Fins (5 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Fins (5 Occurrences).
... Leviticus 11:12 Whatever has no
fins nor scales in the waters, that is an abomination to you.
...Scales (33 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 11:9 "'These you may eat of all that are in the waters: whatever hasfins
and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, that you may eat....
Fish (66 Occurrences)
... in the water. 4. (n.) An oviparous, vertebrate animal usually havingfins
and a covering scales or plates. It breathes by means...
Detestable (121 Occurrences)
... is applied in the Scriptures to that which is ceremonially unclean (Leviticus
7:21), creatures forbidden as food, as water animals withoutfins or scales in...
Rivers (81 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 11:9 "'These you may eat of all that are in the waters: whatever hasfins
and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, that you may eat....
Brooks (28 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 11:9 This ye do eat of all which 'are' in the waters; any one that hath
fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the brooks, them ye do eat...
Streams (80 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 11:9 "'These you may eat of all that are in the waters: whatever hasfins
and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, that you may eat....
Seas (40 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 11:9 "'These you may eat of all that are in the waters: whatever hasfins
and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, that you may eat....
Finishing (17 Occurrences)
Creatures (83 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 11:9 "'These you may eat of all that are in the waters: whatever hasfins
and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, that you may eat....
Resources
What made some animals clean and others unclean (Genesis 7)? | GotQuestions.orgHow does the geologic timescale fit with the view of a young earth? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
