Biblical references to 'fish'
In the Bible, we see many references to the fish.
Fish as food and sustenance
Cooked or raw, fish is one of the nice things about not being vegetarian! (See Nehemiah 13:16, Exodus 7:18-21, Numbers 11, Psalm 105:29, Isaiah 50:2, Hosea 4:3, Matthew 7:10, Matthew 13:47-48, Luke 11:11 and Luke 24:42.)
The famous five loaves and two fishes story may have had a significant influence on the adoption of the fish as a symbol of Christianity, although there is evidence to suggest the fish had religious significance before that time: Matthew 14:17-19. Matthew 15:34-36. Mark 6:38-43. Mark 8:7. Luke 9:14-16. John 6:9-11.
Why fish exist
A more important question would be to ask why man exists, and we'll look at that on another page. Here, we can see why fish exist, in: Genesis 1:26-28) Genesis 9:2, 1 Kings 4:33, Psalm 8:8, Ecclesiastes 9:12 and Ezekiel 38:20.
A fish is a fish
...and yet some people elevate them to having supernatural powers. Japanese catfish for example, were believed to cause earthquakes. Fish are fish, they are not to be revered, and that includes the Jesus Fish Symbol: Deuteronomy 4:15-18.
A fish is a fish (...unless it's a sea monster of course)
A complex creature, quite different to other animals: 1 Corinthians 15:39.
Looking like a crocodile, whale or dragon, Leviathan was a pretty nasty demonic sea creature that man is powerless to control: Job 41:8, Ezekiel 29:4-5.
And some people think Jonah and the Whale is a fishy tale in Jonah 1, Jonah 2 and Matthew 12:40.
Fish as a place-name (...or plaice-name?)
2 Chronicles 33:14, Nehemiah 3:3, Nehemiah 12:39 and Zephaniah 1:10.
Fish as a teacher?
You'll need to read a while to get the correct context, but in this verse, we learn some basic truths about life ... from a fish! Job 12:8.
Fish, the tax-payer
This story reflects both the poverty and power of Christ. If we find ourselves materially poor, like Jesus was, then we should trust in God's power to supply all our needs: Matthew 17:27.
Fish as the target of fishermen, and the 'fishers of men' analogy
These references to fish also draw a parallel with converts who are baptised by immersion into water: Jeremiah 16:16, Ezekiel 26:5 and 14, Ezekiel 47:9-10, Habakkuk 1:14, Matthew 4:18-19, Mark 1:16-17, Luke 5:2-10 and John 21:1-13.
Return to the Christian fish symbol page.
