Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Cruelty To Animals?
9 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Cruelty To Animals in the Bible
Explore what the Bible says about cruelty to animals. This collection of 9 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme.
Top 9 Verses About Cruelty To Animals
- 1Genesis 1:21
“And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.”
KJV - 2Genesis 1:30
“And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life , I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. life: Heb. a living soul”
KJV - 3Numbers 22:32
“And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: to: Heb. to be an adversary unto thee”
KJV - 4Deuteronomy 25:4
“Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. treadeth: Heb. thresheth”
KJV - 5
- 6Psalms 50:11
“I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. mine: Heb. with me”
KJV - 7
- 8Proverbs 12:10
“A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. tender: or, bowels”
KJV - 9Matthew 6:26
“Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Cruelty To Animals? (8 Verses)
“And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.”
“And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life , I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. life: Heb. a living soul”
“And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: to: Heb. to be an adversary unto thee”
“Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. treadeth: Heb. thresheth”
“For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.”
“I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. mine: Heb. with me”
“He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.”
“A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. tender: or, bowels”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Cruelty To Animals? (1 Verses)
“Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Cruelty To Animals
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about cruelty to animals. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about cruelty to animals and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about cruelty to animals is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on cruelty to animals needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about cruelty to animals with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about cruelty to animals, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Cruelty To Animals?
You have studied 9 verses about cruelty to animals. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.