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What the Bible Says About Cannibalism

Overview

The Bible addresses cannibalism across 7 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Deuteronomy and 2 Kings. Closely related themes include Backsliders, Disobedience to God, Famine and Judgments.

Key Bible verses about cannibalism

Old Testament

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 28:53

And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the LORD thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee: body: Heb. belly

Deuteronomy 28:54

So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave:

Deuteronomy 28:55

So that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he shall eat: because he hath nothing left him in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee in all thy gates.

Deuteronomy 28:56

The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter,

Deuteronomy 28:57

And toward her young one that cometh out from between her feet, and toward her children which she shall bear: for she shall eat them for want of all things secretly in the siege and straitness, wherewith thine enemy shall distress thee in thy gates. young one: Heb. afterbirth

In the Bible dictionary

Studying cannibalism for yourself

  • Begin with Deuteronomy 28:53, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Deuteronomy and 2 Kings each treat the theme.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Backsliders, Disobedience to God, Famine and Judgments.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about cannibalism?

The Bible addresses cannibalism across 7 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Deuteronomy and 2 Kings. Closely related themes include Backsliders, Disobedience to God, Famine and Judgments.

How many Bible verses are about cannibalism?

The Bible references cannibalism in 7 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention cannibalism?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Deuteronomy 28:53: “And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the LORD thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee: body: Heb. belly”

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