While chickens are rarely mentioned in Scripture, they symbolize care and protection in some contexts. Today, we’ll explore the spiritual lessons we can draw from these biblical references.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Cherish
What Does The Bible Say About Chicken
Leviticus 11:13
“These are the birds you are to regard as unclean and not eat because they are unclean: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture”
This verse from Leviticus highlights the dietary laws set forth by God for the Israelites. It specifically mentions unclean birds, including the eagle, vulture, and black vulture, which were not to be consumed. This emphasizes the importance of following God’s laws regarding food in order to maintain spiritual purity.
While this verse may not directly mention chickens, it provides a broader context for understanding the biblical perspective on clean and unclean animals, including birds. In order to honor God and adhere to His instructions, it is important to exercise discernment in our dietary choices based on biblical guidelines.
Proverbs 27:27
“You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants.”
Although this verse does not specifically mention chickens, it emphasizes the abundance and provision that God can provide for His people. In this case, it speaks of having plenty of goats’ milk to sustain not only the family but also the female servants.
This reminder of God’s provision extends to all aspects of life, including the food we consume. Just as God provided goats’ milk in abundance, He can also provide sustenance through various sources, such as chicken and other types of food. It is essential to recognize and appreciate God’s provision in our lives.
Isaiah 31:5
“Like birds hovering overhead, the Lord Almighty will shield Jerusalem; he will shield it and deliver it, he will ‘pass over’ it and will rescue it.”
Although this verse uses birds metaphorically, it symbolizes God’s protection over His people, specifically Jerusalem. It illustrates the imagery of birds hovering overhead, providing a sense of security and deliverance from danger.
Just as birds protect and guard their nests, God promises to be a shield and deliverer for His people. This verse reminds us that God’s protective presence extends beyond physical needs, including the sustenance we receive from sources such as chickens, to encompass our overall well-being and safety.
Matthew 23:37
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”
This verse provides a powerful illustration of Jesus’ heart for the people of Jerusalem. He compares Himself to a hen who longs to gather her vulnerable chicks under her protective wings. However, in this instance, the people of Jerusalem were not willing to receive His love and guidance.
By using this analogy, Jesus expresses not only His love and compassion but also the rejection He experienced. He desired to care for and protect the people, just as a hen guards her chicks. This verse highlights the importance of accepting Jesus’ love and finding refuge in Him, much like the safety found under a hen’s wings.
Matthew 14:36
“…and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.”
Although this verse does not directly mention chickens, it emphasizes the miraculous healing power displayed through Jesus. The narrative describes people begging to touch even the edge of His cloak, resulting in their complete healing.
This verse underscores the belief in Jesus’ supernatural ability to restore health and well-being. While chickens may not possess inherent healing properties, this verse encourages us to place our faith in Jesus, who has the power to heal and restore us in miraculous ways.
Matthew 10:29
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.”
In this verse, Jesus reassures His disciples of the Father’s care and concern for every living creature, highlighting the value He places on even the smallest and seemingly insignificant creatures such as sparrows.
Although chickens are not explicitly mentioned, this verse reminds us of the immense love and attention God gives to all His creation. It serves as a reminder of our responsibility to treat animals, including chickens, with care and respect, reflecting the Father’s heart for His creation.
Psalms 50:11
“I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.”
In this Psalm, God declares His intimate knowledge and ownership of every bird in the mountains and every insect in the fields. It emphasizes His sovereignty over all creation, including birds and chickens.
This verse serves as a reminder of God’s comprehensive knowledge and ownership of every aspect of creation. It encourages us to recognize the value and purpose of all creatures, including chickens, and to care for them as part of God’s intricate design.
Genesis 1:22
“God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.’
This verse is part of the creation account in Genesis, where God blesses birds and instructs them to multiply on the earth. Although chickens are not explicitly mentioned, they are descendants of the birds God created.
This verse emphasizes God’s intention for birds, including chickens, to reproduce and fill the earth. It highlights the concept of God’s blessing and multiplication in the animal kingdom, which includes the provision and sustenance provided by animals like chickens.
Luke 13:34
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”
Similar to Matthew 23:37, this verse in Luke depicts Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem and His desire to gather them under His protective wings. The metaphor of a hen gathering her chicks underscores the care and refuge Jesus offers.
This verse serves as a reminder of Jesus’ compassion and desire to shield and nurture those who are willing to follow Him. It also emphasizes the importance of accepting His invitation, finding shelter in Him, and experiencing true spiritual nourishment.
Genesis 9:2
“The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth, and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish in the sea; they are given into your hands.”
In this verse, God gives humankind dominion over all creatures, including birds and chickens. It highlights humanity’s responsibility to care for and steward God’s creation with wisdom and compassion.
This verse serves as a reminder of the role humans play in the well-being and preservation of all animals, including chickens. It calls us to exercise our authority responsibly, recognizing that these creatures are entrusted to our care by God.
Genesis 30:39
“They mated in front of the branches and bore young that were streaked or speckled or spotted.”
In this verse, Jacob describes his method for breeding healthy and abundant flocks, which involved having the animals mate in front of speckled branches. This practice resulted in offspring that shared similar patterns and colors.
This verse showcases how humans have utilized breeding techniques to produce desired traits in animals, including chickens. It reminds us of our role in managing and improving livestock populations, leading to increased productivity and sustainability.
Psalms 84:3
“Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God.”
Although this verse specifically mentions sparrows, it illustrates the birds’ ability to find a home and build nests, even near God’s altar. It represents the notion of finding security and refuge in the presence of God.
This verse serves as an encouragement to seek God’s presence as a source of comfort and safety. It reminds us that, much like the birds finding a home, we can find solace and rest in Him. As we care for chickens, it is essential to recognize the significance of providing a safe and secure environment for them.
Genesis 8:17
“Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you—the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground—so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number upon it.”
In this verse, God instructs Noah to release every kind of living creature from the ark after the flood. The command includes birds, animals, and every creature on the ground, emphasizing their ability to multiply and thrive on the earth.
This verse highlights the concept of God’s provision and multiplication in the animal kingdom, which includes chickens. It underscores the need to steward and care for these creatures, allowing them to fulfill their purpose in multiplying and flourishing.
Matthew 10:16
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
This verse, although it mentions sheep and doves, carries a message applicable to all creatures living in a fallen world. It reminds believers of the need to navigate the challenges and dangers of the world with both wisdom and innocence.
While chickens are not directly referenced, this verse encourages Christians to be discerning and cautious, avoiding harm while maintaining a pure and sincere heart. It reminds us of the importance of living in alignment with God’s principles and values in the midst of a fallen world.
Job 38:41
“Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?”
In this verse, God questions Job about His provision for ravens and their young. It highlights God’s care for even the seemingly insignificant creatures, ensuring that their basic needs are met.
This verse reminds us of God’s faithfulness in providing sustenance for His creation, including chickens and other birds. It encourages us to trust in His provision and recognize that He cares for every aspect of our lives, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.
Matthew 26:34
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
In this verse, Jesus predicts Peter’s denial, stating that before the rooster crows, Peter will disown Him three times. This exchange between Jesus and Peter highlights the significance of the rooster’s crow in relation to Peter’s actions.
While this verse does not directly emphasize the nature of chickens, it draws attention to the symbolism associated with the rooster’s crow, representing accountability and the consequences of human choices. It serves as a reminder of our need to remain faithful to Christ and avoid denying Him, as Peter did.
1 Corinthians 15:39
“Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another.”
In this verse, Paul highlights the diversity of flesh among various living beings: people, animals, birds, and fish. It underscores the distinctiveness of each type of creature and their unique characteristics.
Although chickens are not explicitly mentioned, this verse serves as a reminder of the intricate design and diversity within God’s creation. It emphasizes the beauty and value of all creatures, including chickens, and affirms the importance of responsible stewardship.
Matthew 6:26
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
In this verse, Jesus encourages His followers to observe the birds of the air and recognize God’s provision for them. He highlights their ability to sustain themselves without toiling or storing food, underscoring the Father’s care and concern for His creation.
This verse serves as a reminder of God’s faithful provision for His creatures, including chickens. It reassures us of His care and love, emphasizing our inherent value as human beings created in His image. Just as God meets the needs of the birds, we can trust in His provision for our own lives.
Proverbs 7:23
“Till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.”
In this proverb, a foolish man is likened to a bird entering a trap unknowingly, which ultimately results in his demise. It serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the consequences of making unwise choices.
While this verse does not directly mention chickens, it serves as a reminder of the importance of making wise decisions and avoiding situations that could lead to harm. It encourages us to exercise discernment and seek God’s guidance in every aspect of life.
Luke 13:19
“It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”
In this parable, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a mustard seed that grows into a tree, providing shelter for birds in its branches. It conveys the idea that even the smallest beginnings can lead to something substantial and beneficial.
Although chickens are not explicitly mentioned, this verse reminds us of the potential for growth and impact in God’s kingdom. It encourages us to cultivate and nurture the small beginnings in our lives, trusting that God can bring forth abundant fruit and provide shelter and provision for those in need.
Exodus 5:8
“But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don’t reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.'”
In this verse, Pharaoh accuses the Israelites of laziness when they requested to go and sacrifice to their God. He even increased their workload, not reducing the quota of bricks, reflecting a harsh and unjust treatment toward the Israelites.
This verse does not directly discuss chickens, but it highlights the importance of fair treatment and justice. It serves as a reminder of the need to treat animals, including chickens, with compassion and not burden them with harsh conditions or workload.
Romans 1:20
“For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
In this verse, Paul states that God’s invisible qualities are evident through His creation, including animals. He emphasizes that God’s eternal power and divine nature can be understood by observing His creation.
This verse underlines the significance of recognizing God’s presence through His creation, which includes animals like chickens. It encourages us to appreciate and marvel at His handiwork, acknowledging the intricate details and complexity found in the world around us.