Meat Consumption is Associated with Evil in the Bible

God created humans and animals to consume only plants and said this design was ‘very good’ (Gen 1:20–31). Importantly, there are several instances in the Bible where meat consumption is associated with ‘evil.’

Genesis 8:20–9:4

Meat was not permitted to be consumed until much later, specifically in Genesis 9:3–4, but only after God stated that humanity has a ‘heart of evil intention’ (8:20–21). Multiple scholars have noted that Genesis 8:20–9:4 connects meat consumption with evil. For instance, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik (AD 1903–1993) commented on God’s authorization for humans to consume meat (Gen 8:20–9:6): ‘The new privilege granted man is a consequence of his evil intentions and is closely associated with the sacrificial act.’ He further stated, ‘A concession was made to an evil drive brought about by ontic deterioration.’ Furthermore, Soloveitchik said about the animals, ‘A new relationship is established between man and animal, tension engendered by fear and dread. Animal is afraid of man, flees before him. Why? Because he has lost confidence in man; instinctively, he feels animosity, evil designs, on the part of man.’ 

Likewise, scholar David Schwartz connects meat consumption with evil, commenting on Genesis 8:21–9:4, ‘Here it seems that because people are born with an evil inclination, eating meat is seen as a way to divert some of the violent tendencies people have.’ Similarly, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin commented about Genesis 9:3–4, ‘Generations after the Garden of Eden, the world had turned evil, and God annihilated all of humanity except for Noah and his family. He then promised them and their descendants to eat meat.’ Finally, Pastor Frank L. Hoffman stated, ‘In Genesis 9:3 God even granted a concession to eat animal flesh, because of the evilness of the human beings (Genesis 8:21); but it was still against His creation and heavenly will, and thus it still remained immoral.’ Therefore, Genesis 8:20–9:4 associates meat consumption with evil.

First Corinthians 10:3–6

In 1 Corinthians 10:3–6, the authors cite Numbers 11:4–34, when the people were killed for consuming meat when they had no need. First Corinthians 10:6 states, ‘Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.’ The evil these people desired was meat (Num 11:4–34)! This claim fits the context, as the remainder of the chapter discusses the consumption of meat (1 Cor 10:19–30). Fittingly, one commentator stated about 1 Corinthians 10:6, “So Paul infers that the Corinthian Christians should not lust after, or desire the meat offered in sacrifice to idols, lest it should lead them also to sin and ruin.” First Corinthians 10:3–6 further associates meat consumption with evil.

Isaiah 11:6–9 and 65:25

Isaiah 11:6–9 and 65:25 prophesy an everlasting return to the original design in which humans and animals eat only plants (Gen 1:26–2:8). These verses also link meat consumption with evil. One commenter stated, “Actually, these passages indicate very specifically that carnivorous activity is an evil—that is, a physical rather than a moral evil. The Hebrew word translated ‘hurt’ in the KJV of Isaiah 11:9 and 65:25 is raa. Elsewhere in the Old Testament, the most frequent translation of this word is ‘do evil’. Other translations include ‘afflict’ and ‘do wickedly’. It is related to ra, the usual word for ‘evil’ in the Old Testament—and that includes both moral and physical evil. As for the word translated ‘destroy’ in the KJV in Isaiah 11:9 and 65:25 (shachath), the core meaning is ‘mar’ or ‘corrupt’. No wonder carnivorous activity has no place in the new creation!” Isaiah 11:6–9 and 65:25 further associate meat consumption with evil.