Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:Fishes hold significant symbolic and practical importance in the Bible, appearing in various contexts throughout the Old and New Testaments. They are often associated with sustenance, miracles, and teachings of Jesus Christ. The term "fish" or "fishes" is used to describe both literal aquatic creatures and metaphorical concepts within biblical narratives.
Old Testament References:In the Old Testament, fish are mentioned primarily in the context of creation and sustenance.
Genesis 1:20-22 describes the creation of sea creatures on the fifth day: "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 winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good."
Fish also appear in the context of dietary laws.
Leviticus 11:9-12 outlines the types of aquatic creatures that are permissible for consumption: "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 other living creatures in the water, you are to regard as unclean."
New Testament References:The New Testament contains numerous references to fish, particularly in the Gospels, where they are often associated with the ministry of Jesus Christ. One of the most notable miracles involving fish is the feeding of the five thousand, as recorded in
Matthew 14:17-21: "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered. "Bring them here to Me," Jesus said. And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over."
Fish also play a role in the calling of the first disciples. In
Matthew 4:18-19, Jesus calls Simon Peter and Andrew: "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.'"
Symbolism and Metaphor:Fish are used metaphorically in the New Testament to represent the spread of the Gospel and the gathering of believers. The phrase "fishers of men" signifies the mission of the disciples to bring people to Christ. Additionally, the ichthys, or fish symbol, became an early Christian symbol representing Jesus Christ, derived from the Greek word for fish, ΙΧΘΥΣ, which is an acronym for "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior."
Cultural and Historical Context:In the ancient Near East, fish were a staple food source, particularly in regions near bodies of water like the Sea of Galilee. Fishing was a common occupation, and fish markets were integral to daily life. The abundance of fish in biblical narratives reflects their importance in the diet and economy of the time.
Conclusion:While the Bible does not provide exhaustive details about specific species of fish, the references to fish in both the Old and New Testaments highlight their significance in biblical history and theology. They serve as symbols of provision, faith, and the mission of spreading the Gospel.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Plural of Finch.
2. (n.) Plural of Fish.
Strong's Hebrew
4685. matsowd -- siegeworks... Or (feminine) mtsowdah {mets-o-daw'}; or mtsodah {mets-o-daw'}; from tsuwd; a net
(for capturing animals or
fishes) -- also (by interchange for mtsad) a
...Library
The Wonderful Draught ofFishes
... THE WONDERFUL DRAUGHT OFFISHES. One day... them. And they came and filled both
boats with thefishes, so that they began to sink. When...
The Miraculous Draught ofFishes. --Effect of the Miracle On
... CHAPTER II. COMMENCEMENT OF CHRIST'S PUBLIC TEACHING. Section 114. The
Miraculous Draught ofFishes."Effect of the Miracle on. Peter....
Why God Has Blessed Men,Fishes, Flying Creatures, and not Herbs...
... Book XIII. Chapter XXIV."Why God Has Blessed Men,Fishes, Flying Creatures,
and Not Herbs and the Other Animals (Ver. 28). 35....
Of the Miracle which God Performed when St Anthony Being at Rimini...
... BEGIN THE LITTLE FLOWERS OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHAPTER XL OF THE MIRACLE WHICH
GOD PERFORMED WHEN ST ANTHONY BEING AT RIMINI, PREACHED TO HEFISHES OF THE...
On the Words of the Gospel, John vi. 9, Where the Miracle of the...
... Sermon LXXX. On the words of the Gospel, John vi. 9, where the miracle of
the five loaves and the twofishes is related. [CXXX. Ben.]...
The Author Adapts the Mystery of the Number Seven (Made up of the...
... Book VI. Chapter II. The author adapts the mystery of the number seven
(made up of the five loaves and twofishes) to his own work....
Of the Question How it Can be Shown that the Narrative of the Haul...
... Chapter IX."Of the Question How It Can Be Shown that the Narrative of the Haul of
Fishes Which Luke Has Given Us is Not to Be Identified with the Record of...
Many are Ignorant as to This, and Ask for Miracles, which are...
... Book XIII. Chapter XXVII."Many are Ignorant as to This, and Ask for Miracles, Which
are Signified Under the Names Of "Fishes" And "Whales.". 42....
By the Sea of Galilee - the Final Call of the First Disciples, and...
... CHAPTER XIII. BY THE SEA OF GALILEE - THE FINAL CALL OF THE FIRST DISCIPLES, AND
THE MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OFFISHES. (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11.)...
From the Miracle of the Feeding of the Multitude from Five Barley...
... Book VI. Chapter I. From the miracle of the feeding of the multitude from five barley
loaves and twofishes he shows the majesty of Divine Power....
Thesaurus
Fishes (32 Occurrences)...Fishes (32 Occurrences). Matthew 14:17 And they say unto him, We have here but five
loaves, and two
fishes.
... And they said, Seven, and a few little
fishes.
...Cakes (65 Occurrences)
... Matthew 14:17 And they say to him, We have here but five cakes of bread and two
fishes. (BBE).... And they said, Seven cakes, and some smallfishes. (BBE)....
Fish (66 Occurrences)
... Some of thefishes are of a European type, such as the roach, the barbel, and the
blenny; others are Markedly African and tropical, such as the eel-like silurus...
Brake (80 Occurrences)
... Matthew 14:19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took
the five loaves, and the twofishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and...
Blessing (357 Occurrences)
... Mark 6:41 And he took the five cakes of bread and the twofishes and, looking up
to heaven, he said words of blessing over them; and when the cakes were broken...
Division (135 Occurrences)
... Matthew 14:19 And he gave orders for the people to be seated on the grass; and he
took the five cakes of bread and the twofishes and, looking up to heaven, he...
Broken (559 Occurrences)
... Matthew 14:19 And having commanded the crowds to recline upon the grass, having
taken the five loaves and the twofishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed...
Fowls (61 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 15:39 All flesh is not the same flesh; but there is one kind of flesh
of men, another flesh of beasts, another offishes, and another of fowls....
Eucharist
... Pauline Data III. PREPARATION FOR THE EUCHARIST 1. Miracles of Loaves and
Fishes 2. Discourse at Capernaum IV. HISTORICAL SETTING...
Taking (445 Occurrences)
... Matthew 14:19 And having commanded the multitudes to recline upon the grass, and
having taken the five loaves and the twofishes, having looked up to the heaven...
Resources
How does the geologic timescale fit with the view of a young earth? | GotQuestions.orgWhat were the key events in the life of Jesus Christ? (Part 2) | GotQuestions.orgIn what ways was Moses like Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgFishes: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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