Cannibalism is a topic that understandably raises strong reactions, but what does the Bible say about it? Although it’s a rare and extreme situation, the Bible does address instances of cannibalism and the circumstances surrounding them. Let’s explore how scripture handles this dark and disturbing subject.
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What Does The Bible Say About cannibalism
Genesis 9:4-6
“But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it. And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being. Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.”
This verse highlights the importance of valuing and preserving human life. It establishes that the act of shedding human blood is a serious offense and carries severe consequences. The command to not consume meat with its lifeblood still in it emphasizes the sanctity of life and the respect we should have for God’s creation.
Additionally, the mention of being made in the image of God reinforces the inherent dignity and worth of every human being, further condemning acts such as cannibalism which degrade and devalue the preciousness of life.
Leviticus 26:29
“You will eat the flesh of your sons and the flesh of your daughters.”
This verse serves as a warning of the severe consequences of disobedience and turning away from God. In times of great distress and divine judgment, people may find themselves resorting to drastic measures such as cannibalism to survive. The mention of eating the flesh of one’s own children illustrates the depth of suffering that can occur as a result of rejecting God’s will and living in rebellion.
Ultimately, this verse emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful to God and his commands, as turning away from him can lead to unimaginable circumstances and moral degradation.
Deuteronomy 28:53-57
“Because of the suffering your enemy will inflict on you during the siege, you will eat the fruit of the womb, the flesh of the sons and daughters the Lord your God has given you. Even the most gentle and sensitive man among you will have no compassion on his own brother or the wife he loves or his surviving children, and he will not give to one of them any of the flesh of his children that he is eating. It will be all he has left because of the suffering your enemy will inflict on you during the siege of all your cities. The most gentle and sensitive woman among you—so sensitive and gentle that she would not venture to touch the ground with the sole of her foot—will begrudge the husband she loves and her own son or daughter the afterbirth from her womb and the children she bears. For in her dire need she intends to eat them secretly because of the suffering your enemy will inflict on you during the siege of your cities.”
This passage describes the devastating consequences of disobeying God’s commands and the severity of the judgments that can befall a disobedient nation. In times of war and siege, when resources are scarce and desperation sets in, people may resort to unspeakable acts such as consuming the flesh of their own children.
These verses paint a grim picture of the consequences of turning away from God and highlight the depths of despair that can descend upon a nation that rejects his guidance and falls into idolatry and disobedience.
2 Kings 6:26-29
“As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried to him, ‘Help me, my lord the king!’ The king replied, ‘If the Lord does not help you, where can I get help for you? From the threshing floor? From the winepress?’ Then he asked her, ‘What’s the matter?’ She answered, ‘This woman said to me, “Give up your son so we may eat him today, and tomorrow we’ll eat my son.” So we cooked my son and ate him. The next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son so we may eat him,’ but she had hidden him.'”‘
This passage recounts a devastating period of famine and desperation during the reign of King Jehoram. The scarcity of food had driven people to commit unimaginable acts, resorting to cannibalism in order to survive.
The desperation expressed by the woman who boiled and ate her own son, as well as the secretiveness involved, illustrates the extreme measures people may go to when faced with dire circumstances. It serves as a somber reminder of the consequences that can arise from a society’s disobedience and the dire need for God’s intervention and guidance.
Jeremiah 19:9
“I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and daughters, and they will eat one another’s flesh because their enemies will press the siege so hard against them to destroy them.”
This verse is part of the prophecy given by Jeremiah concerning the impending destruction and judgment upon Jerusalem. It speaks of the devastating consequences that the city would face due to their persistent rebellion and idolatry.
The mention of people resorting to cannibalism, eating their own children, emphasizes the extreme suffering and desperation that would come as a result of the siege and destruction brought upon Jerusalem by their enemies.
Lamentations 2:20
“Look, Lord, and consider: Whom have you ever treated like this? Should women eat their offspring, the children they have cared for? Should priests and prophets be killed in the sanctuary of the Lord?”
Lamentations is a book of mourning and lamentation over the destruction of Jerusalem. This verse expresses the deep anguish and bewilderment towards the unimaginable suffering that has befallen the people.
The mention of mothers being driven to eat their own children highlights the extreme desperation and despair that has consumed the city. It calls out to God to witness the unprecedented tragedy and raises questions about the justice of such anguish befalling even the most sacred places and individuals, such as the priests and prophets.
Isaiah 49:26
“I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh; they will be drunk on their own blood, as with wine. Then all mankind will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”
In this verse, God assures his people that he will bring justice upon their oppressors. The imagery used of oppressors eating their own flesh and drinking their own blood portrays the severity of the judgment that awaits those who inflict suffering on God’s chosen ones.
This verse reaffirms God’s role as the ultimate Savior and Redeemer, showcasing his power and sovereignty over human affairs and emphasizing his commitment to protecting and vindicating his people.
Ezekiel 5:10
“Therefore in your midst fathers will eat their children, and children will eat their fathers. I will inflict punishment on you and will scatter all your survivors to the winds.”
This verse describes the severe judgment that would come upon Jerusalem due to their persistent disobedience and idolatry. The mention of fathers eating their own children and children eating their fathers underscores the depth of suffering and chaos that would engulf the city.
By allowing such extreme measures, God demonstrates the gravity of the consequences and the severity of the punishment that would be inflicted upon the people for their transgressions.
Matthew 24:19
“How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!”
Jesus, in his discourse about the signs of the end times, utters these words to highlight the immense suffering and hardships that will befall certain individuals, particularly pregnant women and nursing mothers.
This verse serves as a reminder that even in the midst of turmoil and tribulation, God sees and cares for the vulnerable and encourages us to have compassion for those who may be experiencing the greatest difficulties.
Mark 13:17
“How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!”
Similar to the verse in Matthew, this passage in Mark recounts Jesus’ words about the hardships and sufferings that will occur during the end times, specifically mentioning the challenges that pregnant women and nursing mothers will face.
Jesus’ statement acknowledges the particular vulnerability of these individuals and emphasizes the need for compassion and care towards them in times of tribulation.
Luke 23:29
“Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!”
During Jesus’ journey to the cross, he encounters a group of mourning women. In response to their sorrow, he shares these words, expressing that those who do not have children will be spared the deep anguish that will come upon Jerusalem.
This statement offers a unique perspective on the suffering to come, recognizing that those who have not experienced the joys and challenges of motherhood will be spared the added pain of witnessing harm befall their children.
John 6:53-56
“Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.”
In this profound and symbolic statement, Jesus speaks about the concept of partaking in his flesh and blood. It is a metaphorical representation of the deep spiritual unity and communion that believers are invited to participate in.
By expressing the necessity of partaking in him, Jesus emphasizes the essential relationship between himself as the source of life and those who desire to find eternal life. This verse lays the foundation for the institution of the Eucharist, where Christians partake in the bread and wine as a remembrance and participation in the body and blood of Christ.
Acts 15:20
“Instead, we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.”
At the Jerusalem Council, the apostles discuss the requirements for Gentile believers. Among these requirements is the instruction to abstain from consuming blood, which is considered unclean and associated with idolatrous practices.
This verse highlights the importance of separating oneself from practices that are contrary to the teachings of Christ and the principles of a holy and righteous life.
Romans 13:9
“The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
In this verse, Paul emphasizes the unity and essence of the Ten Commandments, summing them up in the command to love one’s neighbor as oneself. This command encompasses the principles of righteous living and serves as a guiding principle for our actions towards others.
It reminds us of the importance of treating others with respect, dignity, and love, which directly opposes acts such as cannibalism that devalue and harm others.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
In this passage, Paul recounts the institution of the Lord’s Supper by Jesus. It demonstrates the significance of partaking in the bread and cup as a remembrance and proclamation of Christ’s sacrificial death and the establishment of the new covenant.
This verse highlights the spiritual and symbolic nature of the bread and wine in the Eucharist, reinforcing the importance of remembering and proclaiming Christ’s sacrifice rather than engaging in cannibalistic practices which degrade the sanctity of life.
Galatians 5:14
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
Similar to the verse in Romans, Paul reiterates the centrality and fulfillment of the law through the command to love one’s neighbor as oneself. This principle of love encompasses and satisfies the requirements of the law.
By emphasizing the command to love, the verse serves as a reminder that acts such as cannibalism go against the very essence of love, which seeks the well-being and dignity of others.
Philippians 2:3-4
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
In this verse, Paul encourages believers to adopt a humble and selfless attitude towards others, valuing their well-being and interests above their own. This selflessness is a hallmark of Christian living and reflects the character of Christ.
This verse challenges the mentality of cannibalism, which is rooted in selfishness and disregards the worth and value of others. It underscores the importance of selflessness and care for one another.
Colossians 3:12
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Addressing the Colossian believers, Paul urges them to embrace characteristics and virtues that reflect their identity as chosen and loved by God. These qualities, such as compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, set them apart as followers of Christ.
This verse emphasizes the contrast between the virtues that believers are called to embody and the heinous act of cannibalism, highlighting the stark difference between a life of love and selflessness and one marked by cruelty and disregard for human life.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.”
In this passage, Paul instructs the Thessalonian believers to live lives that are set apart and pleasing to God. He specifically addresses the need for sexual purity and self-control, highlighting the contrast between holy living and the immoral practices of the pagans.
While not directly related to cannibalism, this verse underscores the importance of denying fleshly desires and engaging in behaviors that align with God’s will. It serves as a reminder to avoid indulging in perverse or degrading acts that go against the principles of holiness and integrity.
Hebrews 13:3
“Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”
In this verse, the author of Hebrews encourages believers to remember and empathize with those who are suffering, particularly those who are imprisoned or mistreated. The command is to identify with and support them as if we ourselves were in their position.
This verse promotes compassion and stands in opposition to acts such as cannibalism, which involves inflicting deep harm and exploitation upon others.
James 2:15-16
“Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”
James challenges believers to not merely offer empty words of comfort or concern to those in need but to actively address their physical needs. He calls for practical acts of compassion and assistance.
This verse reinforces the importance of caring for others in tangible ways, rather than engaging in acts of harm or exploitation such as cannibalism which disregard the well-being and dignity of individuals.
1 John 3:16-18
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
In these powerful verses, John expresses the ultimate act of love demonstrated by Christ when he laid down his life for mankind. He encourages believers to follow this example by selflessly sacrificing for the well-being of others.
This verse challenges the idea of harming or exploiting others, such as engaging in cannibalism, and promotes a love that is characterized by genuine care, compassion, and selflessness.
Revelation 2:20
“Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching, she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.”
In this letter to the church in Thyatira, Jesus addresses the issue of false teaching and compromise within the community. He specifically mentions the teaching of a woman named Jezebel who led others astray through her promotion of sexual immorality and the consumption of food offered to idols.
This verse refers to metaphorical cannibalism, representing the destructive influence of false doctrine and practices that lead believers away from devotion to God and compromise their commitment to holy living.