Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, "game" typically refers to wild animals hunted for food. The practice of hunting and consuming game is mentioned in various passages, reflecting its significance in the daily life and sustenance of ancient peoples.
Old Testament ReferencesThe earliest mention of game is found in the account of Esau, the son of Isaac and Rebekah. Esau is described as "a skillful hunter, a man of the field" (
Genesis 25:27). His hunting skills were highly valued by his father, Isaac, who had a particular fondness for the game Esau brought home. In
Genesis 27:3-4 , Isaac instructs Esau, "Now then, take your weapons—your quiver and bow—and go out into the field to hunt some game for me. Prepare for me the kind of tasty food I love and bring it to me to eat, so that I may bless you before I die."
The dietary laws given to the Israelites also address the consumption of game.
Leviticus 17:13 states, "When any man from the house of Israel or any foreigner living among them eats any animal or bird that may be eaten, he must drain its blood and cover it with dirt." This command underscores the importance of proper preparation and respect for the life of the animal, aligning with the broader Levitical laws concerning clean and unclean foods.
Symbolism and MetaphorGame and hunting are sometimes used metaphorically in the Scriptures. For instance, in
Proverbs 12:27 , it is written, "A lazy man does not roast his game, but a diligent man prizes his possession." Here, the act of roasting game is used to illustrate the value of diligence and the proper use of resources.
In a more negative light, hunting imagery is employed to describe the actions of the wicked.
Psalm 10:9 says, "He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the poor; he catches the poor in his net." This verse uses the metaphor of a hunter to depict the predatory nature of the wicked, highlighting the moral and ethical dimensions of hunting as a pursuit.
Cultural and Historical ContextHunting was a common practice in the ancient Near East, not only for sustenance but also as a demonstration of skill and bravery. The ability to provide game was a mark of a capable and resourceful individual. This cultural backdrop is evident in the biblical narratives, where hunting is often associated with strength and provision.
The Bible's treatment of game and hunting reflects a balance between the practical needs of sustenance and the ethical considerations of taking animal life. The emphasis on proper preparation and respect for God's creation is consistent with the broader biblical themes of stewardship and responsibility.
ConclusionThe concept of game in the Bible encompasses both the literal practice of hunting for food and the symbolic use of hunting imagery to convey moral and ethical lessons. Through its various references, the Bible provides insight into the cultural practices of ancient times while also imparting timeless principles regarding diligence, provision, and respect for life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Crooked; lame; as, a game leg.
2. (v. i.) Sport of any kind; jest, frolic.
3. (n.) A contest, physical or mental, according to certain rules, for amusement, recreation, or for winning a stake; as, a game of chance; games of skill; field games, etc.
4. (n.) The use or practice of such a game; a single match at play; a single contest; as, a game at cards.
5. (v. i.) That which is gained, as the stake in a game; also, the number of points necessary to be scored in order to win a game; as, in short whist five points are game.
6. (v. i.) In some games, a point credited on the score to the player whose cards counts up the highest.
7. (n.) A scheme or art employed in the pursuit of an object or purpose; method of procedure; projected line of operations; plan; project.
8. (v. i.) Animals pursued and taken by sportsmen; wild meats designed for, or served at, table.
9. (a.) Having a resolute, unyielding spirit, like the gamecock; ready to fight to the last; plucky.
10. (a.) of or pertaining to such animals as are hunted for game, or to the act or practice of hunting.
11. (n.) To rejoice; to be pleased; -- often used, in Old English, impersonally with dative.
12. (n.) To play at any sport or diversion.
13. (n.) To play for a stake or prize; to use cards, dice, billiards, or other instruments, according to certain rules, with a view to win money or other thing waged upon the issue of the contest; to gamble.
Greek
2339. thera -- a hunting, prey... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: thera Phonetic Spelling: (thay'-rah) Short Definition:
hunting, entrapping Definition: hunting, entrapping; prey,
game; a net
...Strong's Hebrew
6718a. tsayid -- hunting,game... 6718, 6718a. tsayid. 6718b . hunting,
game. Transliteration: tsayid Short
Definition:
game. Word Origin from tsud Definition hunting
...6718. tsayid -- hunting,game
... 6717, 6718. tsayid. 6718a . hunting,game. Transliteration: tsayid Phonetic
Spelling: (tsah'-yid) Short Definition: catch. catch...
2760. charak -- perhaps to scorch, parch
... roast. A primitive root; to braid (ie To entangle or snare) or catch (game) in a
net -- roast. 2759, 2760. charak. 2761 . Strong's Numbers.
99. agem -- sad
... 98, 99. agem. 100 . sad. Transliteration: agem Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-game') Short Definition: grieved. Word Origin from the same...
Library
How Jacob Deceived his Father
... man who stayed about the tents. Isaac loved Esau, for he was fond ofgame;
but Rebekah loved Jacob. Once when Jacob was preparing...
The Bad Squire
... 'A labourer in Christian England, Where they cant of a Saviour's name, And yet waste
men's lives like the vermin's For a few more brace ofgame....
A Liberal Education: and Where to Find It.
... Suppose it were perfectly certain that the life and fortune of every one of us would,
one day or other, depend upon his winning or losing agame at chess....
The First Games
... by instinct, the encyclopaedic knowledge of his age, who found himself at his ease
amidst the deepest abstractions, did, at the beginning, take life as agame?...
Ulrich Von Hutten's Song.
... When rich men felt secure,. They yet have lost thegame, I ween,.... No courtiers'
crafts shall me affright,. Though deep thegame they've played;...
After the Synod, on the Death of Alexander, Athanasius is...
... Rufinus relates, that this [Athanasius] when quite a boy, played with others of
his own age at a sacredgame: this was an imitation of the priesthood and the...
1 Corinthians xiii. 11
... of none of these things brings us of necessity any nearer to real thoughtfulness,
such as alone gives wisdom, than the knowledge of a well-contrivedgame....
The Love of Rameses
... The company, which was large, had fallen into easy attitudes; an excitinggame of
drafts, or a story-teller, or a beauty, attracting groups here and there over...
The Teen Boy and Missions
... A young man, who happened to be present, was appealed to for a newgame, and he
taught them to "skin the snake." It "caught on" immediately, and the group of...
The Son of the Murket
... "Hath he forsworn us?". "I saw him to-day," Nechutes ventured, without raising his
eyes from thegame, "when we were fowling on the Nile below the city....
Thesaurus
Game (11 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) Crooked; lame; as, a
game leg.
... 4. (n.) The use or practice of such a
game;
a single match at play; a single contest; as, a
game at cards.
...Trap (35 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A machine or contrivance that shuts suddenly, as with a spring, used
for takinggame or other animals; as, a trap for foxes....
Set (6715 Occurrences)
... 22. (vt) To value; to rate; -- with at. 23. (vt) To point out the seat or position
of, as birds, or othergame; -- said of hunting dogs. 24....
Pool (25 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Agame at billiards, in which each of the players stakes a certain sum,
the winner taking the whole; also, in public billiard rooms, agame in which...
Chase (14 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To pursue for the purpose of killing or taking, as an enemy, orgame;
to hunt.... 3. (vt) To pursue eagerly, as hunters pursuegame....
Quarry (5 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A heap ofgame killed. 5. (n.) The object of the chase; the animal
hunted for;game; especially, thegame hunted with hawks....
Move (113 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To transfer (a piece or man) from one space or position to another,
according to the rules of thegame; as, to move a king....
Play (61 Occurrences)
... careless. 3. (n.) To contend, or take part, in agame; as, to play ball;
hence, to gamble; as, he played for heavy stakes. 4. (n...
Cat
... 5. (n.) An oldgame; (a) Thegame of tipcat and the implement with which it
is played. See Tipcat. (c) Agame of ball, called, according...
Point (106 Occurrences)
... 25. (n.) The attitude assumed by a pointer dog when he findsgame; as, the dog came
to a point.... 36. (n.) To indicate or discover by a fixed look, asgame. 37....
Resources
What can we learn from church softball? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I learn to stop blaming others for my problems? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian play video games? | GotQuestions.orgGame: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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