2. The Zoo of the Bible

3. Animals Appear in the Bible From Beginning to End
“Scores of specific animals are named in the Bible. But many of these names are simply the educated guesses of translators. In some cases, the meaning is obvious to translators, and in others the passage gives helpful clues. But other passages offer no clue at all to which specific animals are intended. In those cases, the meaning of animal names has been lost.”
Nelson’s Bible Dictionary

4. The Challenge of Identifying Certain Animals
“To make matters even more complicated, over the centuries the words used to describe certain animals have changed…it is no wonder that different names are given for the same animals in different translations of the Bible.”
Nelson’s Bible Dictionary

5. The Significance of animals
Animals were …
Used as the first source of clothes.
Used as a source of food after the flood.
Were the first source of repentance and calling on God.
Used to help man in labor, travel, and war.
Certain Animals Came to Represent Certain Kinds of People and thus used to teach valuable lessons.
They Also Became Idols

6. Herod = Fox (Lk 13:32)
A fox is a cruel, subtle, pesky, and murderous creature
Pearls Before Swine (Mt. 7:6)
Don’t give what is valuable to those who won’t appreciate it.
Sparrows (Mt 10:29)
Used to show God cares for them, but even more for you.

7. Psalm 22 22:6 = Jesus is a worm (Despised)
22:12 = Strong Bulls of Bashan Surround the Cross.
Strong, Savage, and Violent.
22:13 = They Open Their Mouth Like a Ravening and Roaring Lion.
The 1st Three Hours They Mock and Tempt Jesus to Save Himself.
22:16 = Dogs Have Surrounded the Cross Also.
Psalm 22

8. Psalm 22 22:20 = Jesus Asks for Deliverance From the Power of the Dog.
22:21 = Jesus Prays for the Father to Deliver Him from …
The Lion’s Mouth
The Horns of the Wild Oxen
Psalm 22

9. Who Let the Dogs Out? Dogs are mentioned 41 times in the Bible.
Matt 7:6, “Don’t give what is holy to the dogs.”
Matt 15:26 = Gentiles are referred to as dogs.
Phil 3:2, “Beware of the dogs.”
Dogs = Jews, Judaizers.
Refers to their “trashy” appetites.
Who Let the Dogs Out?

10. Watch Out For Wolves Wolves are mentioned 14 times in the Bible.
Matt 7:15, Wolves = False Prophets
Matt 10:15, Wolves = People of the World
“Send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.”
Acts 20:28-31, “Savage wolves will come in.”
Wolves represents those false teachers who sneak in and attack certain members.
Watch Out For Wolves

11. Look at the Ant Ants are mentioned only twice. Prov 6:6-11 Prov 30:25
Ants are used to teach about a good work ethic and to encourage God’s people to work hard.
Look at the Ant

12. The Lamb of God