Are Cats Mentioned In The Bible?
While lions and virtually all other domestic animals are mentioned in the Christian Holy Book, the Bible, it wasn’t to be the fate of domestic cats. No one seems to have a concrete answer as to why cats were left out of Bible, but some speculate that it’s because the Israelites were a nomadic tribe, unlike the Egyptian urban dwellers and so would have had little use for cats.
Associated With The Worship Of Other Gods
There was also likely a social-phobic ancient idol stigma associated with cats. Their images and symbiology have long been associated with the worship of ‘other’ gods that Israelites were ‘shaddim’ or forbidden from (‘shadd-eem’ the plural form of ‘shaddai’) and so were scrupulously avoided, or even mentioned.
Or, maybe it was because domestic cats were often companions of the elderly and lonely. In a superstitious environment, a person who lived and ‘conversed’ with a cat would have been viewed as having a ‘familiar’, or a ‘shadd’ (demon spirit) that they communicated with. That would put them in great danger of fatally being called a ‘kashaph’ (witch or sorcerer). Because cats live comfortably with people, it’s thought that they would be the perfect body for a demon spirit to take possession of and inhabit.
No One Knows For Sure
The short answer is that no one knows for sure why cats aren’t mentioned in the Bible. In fairness, the Bible doesn’t contain information about everything, as it’s not an encyclopedia, it’s a religious anthology. This provides a very strong argument to state that things should not be discounted or ignored, simply because they’re ‘not in the Bible’.
So, the answer as to whether it’s true or false that domestic cats are not mentioned in the Bible is that it’s True.
Why Aren’t Cats Mentioned in the Christian Bible?
Historical and Cultural Context
Geographical Distribution
During the periods when the Bible was written, cats were not as prevalent in the regions where biblical events took place. The Bible’s primary geographic focus is on areas around the ancient Near East, such as Israel, Egypt and Mesopotamia. While cats were present in Egypt and revered there, their presence was not as significant in Israel and surrounding regions.
Domestication Timeline
Cats were domesticated in Egypt around 2000 BCE. While they spread to other regions, their prominence and utility were not as significant as other domesticated animals like sheep, goats and cattle, which are frequently mentioned in the Bible.
Biblical Themes and Symbolism
Symbolic Roles
The Bible often uses animals symbolically to convey moral and spiritual lessons. Sheep, for example, are used to represent the people of God and their need for guidance (e.g., “The Lord is my shepherd” in Psalm 23). Cats, on the other hand, do not have a prominent symbolic role within the context of biblical teachings.
Religious Significance
In contrast to ancient Egyptian religion, where cats were considered sacred and associated with the goddess Bastet, cats did not have a similar religious significance in the cultures surrounding ancient Israel.
Practical Uses and Daily Life
Utility in Daily Life
Animals mentioned in the Bible often had direct utility in daily life, such as providing food, labor, or religious sacrifices. While cats were valued for pest control, this role may not have been considered significant enough to warrant mention in the biblical texts.
Compilation of Biblical Texts
Selection of Content
The Bible comprises texts that were chosen for their religious, moral and historical significance. The selection process might have prioritized themes and narratives central to the religious and cultural context of the time, leading to the exclusion of references to cats.
Conclusion
The absence of cats in the Bible can likely be attributed to a combination of geographical, cultural and symbolic factors. While cats played a significant role in other ancient cultures, particularly in Egypt, their impact and symbolism were not as prominent in the regions and cultures that produced the biblical texts.
