Hunting in the Bible

Hunting is first mentioned in Genesis 10:9 in connection with Nimrod.

Esau was “a cunning hunter” (Genesis 25:27).

Hunting was practiced by the Hebrews after their settlement in the “Land of Promise” (Leviticus 17:15; Proverbs 12:27).

Lions and other ravenous beasts roamed in Israel (1 Samuel 17:34; 2 Samuel 23:20; 1 Kings 13:24; Ezek. 19:3-8), and it must sometimes have been necessary to hunt and destroy them.

Various snares and gins were used in hunting (Psalm 91:3; Amos 3:5; 2 Samuel 23:20).

War is referred to by God under the idea of hunting and fishing.

“Behold, I am going to send for many fishermen,” declares Yahweh, “and they will fish for them; and afterwards I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them from every mountain and every hill and from the crevices of the rocks.” —Jeremiah 16:16 LSB

More information

• Animals of the Bible
• Snares in the Bible
• gins
• Nets in the Bible
• bow
• arrows
• sling
• javelin
• the art of fishing
• Foods of the Bible
• Cooking in the Bible
• Eating in the Bible
• Nergal, an Assyrian and Babylonian false god of war and hunting