Bible Dictionary
Animal
Animals are living creatures included in biblical laws concerning clean and unclean foods. Clean animals could be eaten and offered in sacrifice, while the Law specified classes considered unclean.
Definition
An animal is an organized living creature endowed with sensation. Biblical law distinguishes clean and unclean animals, particularly among quadrupeds, and sets out the relevant classes and examples.
Biblical Usage
Clean animals could be eaten and offered in sacrifice. Animals lacking cloven hoofs or failing to chew the cud were classified as unclean under the Levitical law. The distinction is presented as existing before the Flood as well.
Historical Background
The detailed biblical classification is given in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. The sources direct discussion of particular animals to entries concerning those animals and to the general subject of zoology.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
An organized living creature endowed with sensation. The Levitical law divided animals into clean and unclean, although the distinction seems to have existed before the Flood (Gen. 7:2). The clean could be offered in sacrifice and eaten. All animals that had not cloven hoofs and did not chew the cud were unclean. The list of clean and unclean quadrupeds is set forth in the Levitical law (Deut. 14:3-20; Lev. 11).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>an'-i-mal: See under the various names and also the general article on ZOOLOGY.</p>