The word “cat” or its characteristics aren’t mentioned directly in the Bible. However, it does contain verses that describe or metaphorically use animals with similar features to cats.
Emphasizing attributes like strength, ferocity, or the instincts of predatory animals. Here are a few verses that, while not about cats, might evoke their characteristics
Discover What does the bible say about cats?
Strength and courage
The lion, which is mightiest among beasts and does not turn back before any
Proverbs 30:30
Stealth and readiness to act
So I am to them like a lion; like a leopard, I will lurk beside the way
Hosea 13:7
Predatory nature and strength
The roar of the lion, the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions are broken. The strong lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered
Job 4:10-11
The imagery of a predator awaiting its prey
He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush
Psalm 17:12
The predator-prey relationship
Does a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey? Does a young lion cry out from his den if he has caught nothing?
Amos 3:4
These verses use the imagery of lions and other predatory animals to convey various messages, from the power of God to the nature of wickedness. They capture qualities that could be ascribed to cats, such as their strength, agility, and the predatory aspects of their nature, even though cats are not directly mentioned.
What does the Bible say about Pet Cats?
The Bible does not specifically mention pet cats or guide on keeping pets. Its texts primarily focus on the relationship between humans, their environment, and the animals that were significant to agricultural and religious practices at the time.
Proverbs 12:10 teaches that “A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal,” reflecting general principles of stewardship and kindness towards animals. This teaching applies to the care of pets, including cats.
Bible and the Big Cats
The Bible mentions some animals that can be broadly categorized under the family of cats, particularly lions and leopards. However, it does not specifically mention tigers, jaguars, snow leopards, cheetahs, cougars, Eurasian lynx, Canadian lynx, Iberian lynx, ocelots, servals, and caracals. Here are a few verses that mention lions and leopards
Lions
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8
The lion, which is mightiest among beasts and does not turn back before any.
Proverbs 30:30
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth
2 Timothy 4:17
Leopards
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together, and a little child shall lead them
Isaiah 11:6
Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good to those who are accustomed to do evil
Jeremiah 13:23
So I am to them like a lion; like a leopard, I will lurk beside the way
Hosea 13:7
These references use lions and leopards metaphorically to convey messages about strength, danger, and the nature of change
What does the Bible say about Black cats?
The Bible does not mention black cats or differentiate animals based on color. Biblical references to animals do not include cats, and there is no scriptural basis for the superstitions surrounding black cats found in later cultures.
Christian superstitions emerged much later, associating black cats with witchcraft or bad luck, without support from biblical texts. This view sharply contrasts with ancient Egypt’s reverence for cats, often linking them to protection, fertility, and the goddess Bast
Ancient Egyptians held all cats, including black ones, in high esteem, believing them to possess divine qualities. Thus, the negative superstitions surrounding black cats in some Christian traditions starkly differ from their esteemed status in ancient Egyptian culture.
Cat of Nine Tails Bible
Yes, the “cat of nine tails,” a type of multi-tailed whip, is indirectly referenced in the Bible in the context of Roman punishments, notably during the scourging of Jesus before his crucifixion (John 19:1), though the term itself is not used.
The term “cat of nine tails” does not appear in the Bible; the reference to Jesus being scourged before his crucifixion (John 19:1) does not specify the type of whip used. However, historical context suggests that Roman soldiers often used whips with multiple strands, possibly tipped with metal or bone, to inflict severe punishment.
This practice was part of Roman judicial penalties, aimed at severely torturing prisoners before execution. The biblical account emphasizes the brutality of Jesus’ suffering at the hands of Roman authorities, illustrating the severity of his sacrifice.
Are cats evil in the bible?
The Bible does not depict cats as evil, as it does not specifically mention them. The Bible does not associate cats or their behavior with its themes of good and evil.
In the medieval period, people sometimes linked cats in the Bible with witchcraft and superstition, resulting in their demonization in Christian folklore.
Bible names for cats
Biblical names for cats can range from Abel, symbolizing breath and vanity, to Zion, representing peace and refuge. Other notable names include Asher for happiness, Delilah for a mischievous character, Esther for star-like beauty, Gideon for bravery, and Miriam for a beloved companion. Each name carries a unique biblical story or trait, making them meaningful choices for your pet cat.
Cats in the Bible | FAQs
Cats are not mentioned in the Bible likely due to their lesser role in the agricultural societies of ancient Israel, where the texts originated. The Bible often references animals with significant economic or symbolic roles at the time, such as sheep, goats, and oxen, which were more integral to the daily lives and religious practices of the people.
Since the Bible does not directly mention cats, they hold no specific symbolic meaning within its texts.
Cats are not specifically mentioned as unclean in the Bible. The biblical texts that discuss unclean animals primarily focus on dietary laws and ritual purity, mainly mentioning animals like pigs, shellfish, and certain birds (Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14), without reference to cats.
Cats are not mentioned in the Bible. The texts of the Holy bible focus on those animals that were more central to the agricultural and religious life of the people at the time.
Yes, the “cat of nine tails,” a type of multi-tailed whip, is indirectly referenced in the Bible in the context of Roman punishments, notably during the scourging of Jesus before his crucifixion (John 19:1), though the term itself is not used.
The Bible does not mention cats, so it references no specific types of cats in its texts.
The Bible does not depict cats as evil, as it does not specifically mention cats at all. The Bible does not associate cats or their behavior with its themes of good and evil.
The Bible does not specifically mention whether cats or any animals go to heaven. It focuses on human salvation, faith, and the relationship between God and people, without detailing the afterlife of animals.
The Bible does not explicitly state whether animals, including cats, have souls. It primarily addresses the spiritual relationship between humans and God, focusing on human morality, salvation, and the soul, rather than providing a clear doctrine on animal consciousness or the afterlife.
The Bible does not mention black cats, therefore no symbolism associated with black cats exists in biblical texts.
