Topical Encyclopedia
Fish hold significant symbolic and practical importance throughout the Bible, appearing in various contexts that highlight their role in daily life, religious symbolism, and divine miracles. The term "fish" and its derivatives are mentioned numerous times across both the Old and New Testaments, reflecting the cultural and economic significance of fishing in the ancient Near East.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, fish are primarily mentioned in the context of dietary laws and as part of the natural order created by God. In
Genesis 1:20-22 , God commands the waters to teem with living creatures, including fish, as part of His creation: "Then God said, 'Let the waters teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.' So God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters teemed, according to their kinds, and every bird of flight after its kind. And God saw that it was good."
Fish are also included in the dietary laws given to the Israelites.
Leviticus 11:9-12 outlines which aquatic creatures are permissible to eat: "Of all the creatures that live in the water, whether in the seas or the streams, you may eat any that have 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."
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, fish are frequently associated with the ministry of Jesus Christ and His disciples, many of whom were fishermen by trade. The calling of the first disciples is a notable event involving fish, as described in
Matthew 4:18-19 : "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.'"
One of the most famous miracles involving fish is the feeding of the five thousand, where Jesus multiplies five loaves and two fish to feed a large crowd. This event is recorded in all four Gospels, emphasizing its significance. In
Matthew 14:17-21 , the disciples present the small amount of food to Jesus, who blesses it and provides for the multitude.
Fish also play a role in the post-resurrection appearance of Jesus. In
John 21:9-13 , the resurrected Christ appears to His disciples by the Sea of Galilee, where they have been fishing. Jesus prepares a breakfast of fish and bread for them, symbolizing fellowship and the continuation of His ministry.
Symbolism and Early Christian UseFish became an important symbol for early Christians, often used as a secret sign of faith during times of persecution. The Greek word for fish, "ichthys," was used as an acronym for "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior." This symbol, often depicted as a simple fish outline, served as a discreet identifier among believers.
In summary, fish in the Bible are emblematic of God's provision, the calling of disciples, and the miraculous power of Jesus. They serve as a reminder of the sustenance provided by God and the spiritual nourishment found in following Christ.
Library
The Coin in theFish's Mouth
... THE COIN IN THEFISH'S MOUTH. 'And when he was... is wrought. The firstfish that
rises carries in its mouth the exact sum needed. Here, therefore...
Praying Saints of the Old Testaments (Continued)
... Jonah, the man who prayed in thefish's belly, brings to view another remarkable
instance of these Old Testament worthies who were given to prayer....
A Book for Boys and Girls Or, Temporal Things Spritualized.
... IX. UPON THEFISH IN THE WATER. 1. The water... sin. 2. The water is thefish's
element: Leave her but there, and she is well content. So's...
The Scaffolding Left in the Body
... Instead of crawling ashore at the worm stage, he remained in the water until he
evolved into something like afish; so that when, after an amphibian interlude...
Expositions of Holy Scripture
... THE KING IN HIS BEAUTY. THE SECRET OF POWER. THE COIN IN THEFISH'S MOUTH. EXPOSITIONS
OF HOLY SCRIPTURE; ALEXANDER MACLAREN, DD, Litt. D.; ST. MATTHEW Chaps....
That we Ought to Give Ourselves to God with Regard to Things Both...
... was a mighty tempest." When lots were cast, "the lot fell upon Jonah." He was cast
overboard into the sea, but "the Lord had prepared a greatfish to swallow...
The Story of Samson, the Strong Man
... the Great Sea. They worshipped an idol called Dagon, which was made in the
form of afish's head on a man's body. These people, the...
Against Excessive Fondness for Jewels and Gold Ornaments.
... extravagant extent. This is produced in a kind of oyster like mussels, and
is about the bigness of afish's eye of large size. And...
The Life of St. Peter the Apostle
... the sea; he was chosen of God to be at his transfiguration, and raised a maid from
death to life; he found the stater or piece of money in thefish's mouth; he...
Even Unburied Bodies Will be Raised Again Whatever Befalls them...
... Now I apprehend that in the case of Jonah we have a fair proof of this divine power,
when he comes forth from thefish's belly uninjured in both his natures...
Thesaurus
Fish's (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance
Fish's (1 Occurrence). Jonah 2:1 Then Jonah prayed to
Yahweh, his God, out of the
fish's belly. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS).
...Fish-spears (1 Occurrence)
Fish-spears.Fish's,Fish-spears.Fish-stump . Multi-Version Concordance
Fish-spears (1 Occurrence). Job 41:7 Canst thou fill his...
Fish-pools (1 Occurrence)
Fish-pools. Fishpools,Fish-pools.Fish's .... The reservoirs near Heshbon (qv)
were probably stocked withfish (2 Samuel 2:13; 4:12; Isaiah 7:3; 22:9, 11)....
Shekel (37 Occurrences)
... The coin, a stater (qv), which Peter found in thefish's mouth paid this
contribution for both him and Christ (Matthew 17:24, 27)....
Jonah (30 Occurrences)
... to the great heathen city; was arrested by a storm, and at his own request was hurled
into the sea, where he was swallowed by a greatfish, remaining alive in...
Stomach (40 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the stomach of the
greatfish, so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart...
Belly (62 Occurrences)
... Jonah 1:17 Yahweh prepared a greatfish to swallow up Jonah, and Jonah was in the
belly of thefish three days and three nights. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV)....
Prayed (97 Occurrences)
... NAS RSV NIV). Jonah 2:1 Then Jonah prayed to Yahweh, his God, out of the
fish's belly. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Jonah 4...
Backslide
... 3. Jonah Miraculously Preserved, Jonah 1:17-2:10: Yahweh prepared a greatfish to
swallow Jonah and to bear him in his body for three days and nights....
Resources
Was Jonah truly swallowed by a whale? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is miracle money, and is it biblical to seek it? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Jonah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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