And every thing that moveth, and liveth shall be meat for you: even as the green herbs have I delivered them all to you:
כָּל־רֶ֙מֶשׂ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הוּא־חַ֔י לָכֶ֥ם יִהְיֶ֖ה לְאָכְלָ֑ה כְּיֶ֣רֶק עֵ֔שֶׂב נָתַ֥תִּי לָכֶ֖ם אֶת־כֹּֽל׃
9 Church Fathers comment on this verse
From this point onward, the consumption of meat commenced, intended not to incite indulgence but rather as a means to offer sacrifices to God and express gratitude. Thus, to prevent the belief that abstaining from eating animals—dedicated to the Lord—was necessary, He allows them to be consumed, thereby releasing individuals from any confusion regarding this practice.
In the Garden of Eden, there was absence of wine, the killing of animals, and butchery. Following the Great Flood, wine was acknowledged; it was later stated, 'Consume everything as you would herbs.' When the prospect of perfection seemed lost, then enjoyment was permitted.
If another being engages in nurturing functions, while another is driven by sensory perception, yet the first lacks sensation and the second embodies intellect, one might mistakenly assume a multitude of souls based solely on these traits. However, distinguishing souls by their unique attributes will not hold true. Each entity, when its essence is thoroughly understood in the mind, is appropriately named according to its true nature. Conversely, if something is labeled without encompassing all its defining characteristics, such a designation is rendered meaningless. For instance, when one presents genuine bread, it accurately fulfills the essence of its name.
However, if one were to display bread crafted from stone, resembling the original in appearance, size, and color, yet devoid of the fundamental quality of nourishment, one would conclude that the stone is misnamed as bread—not according to its true nature or intended use. Similarly, anything referred to as something it does not fully represent is named not in accordance with the precise meaning of the term. Hence, while both the soul's perfection in cognitive ability and the capacity for speech exist, anything lacking these attributes might resemble the soul yet is not the true soul, merely some form of vital activity that has been improperly equated with it. Thus, the essence of voiceless beings, not greatly distanced from this natural existence, has been granted to humanity by the Creator for practical purposes, so they may serve as sustenance in place of potions. As it is said, ‘You shall eat all meats as herbal potions.’ The perceived benefit of sensory engagement over nourishing and herbal functions devoid of sensation appears to be minimal. This ought to instruct those who consume flesh not to be overly drawn to what is merely sensory but rather to focus on the soul's benefits, wherein the true essence of the soul is revealed, and the senses also coexist with the voiceless.
Anticipating that those who succumb to complete foolishness will idolize all things, God permits the consumption of animals to curb immorality, as it is sheer folly to revere that which is consumed.
The Holy Scriptures further affirm the promise of bodily resurrection. In fact, God spoke to Noah following the flood, declaring, “I have given you everything as a herbal potion. However, you must not consume the meat with the life’s blood still in it. For I will require the blood of every beast at your hand, and I will require the blood of every man at the hand of his brother. Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has man been created” (Gen. 9:3-6). How else could God demand the blood of man from the hands of all creatures if not by resurrecting the mortal bodies of those who have died? For it is not fitting for beasts to die in place of man.
The Lord has instructed you, O Jews, to refrain from certain foods so that you may maintain awareness of God even while partaking of meals, for you are changeable and often forget the knowledge of Him. As Moses pointed out, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and afterwards rose up to play" (Exodus 32:6). In another instance, it is said, "And Israel became dull, and stubborn; dull, fat, and fat; and he forsook the God that made him" (Deuteronomy 32:15). However, it is noted that God permitted Noah, the righteous man, to consume any animal (with the exception of flesh containing blood) that had died naturally, as recorded by Moses in the Book of Genesis.
Tryphon sought to challenge my interpretation with the words “as the green herbs,” but I cautioned him and inquired: Why do you interpret “as the green herbs” contrary to God’s intention? Just as the Lord created grains for human sustenance, He also provided animals for us to eat. While we may avoid certain plants, it seems evident that, as you allege, Noah was still commanded to differentiate among animals. Such reasoning cannot stand. I could easily demonstrate that all grains are considered herbs and are consumable, but I will refrain from elaborating on that point. Let us accept the distinction between cereal grains and the fact that we do not eat every plant. This is not due to their being unclean or filthy, but rather because they might be bitter, poisonous, or thorny; conversely, we gladly consume all sweet, nourishing, and wholesome plants, regardless of whether they grow from land or sea. Consequently, it follows that God, through Moses, instructed you to abstain from unclean, voracious, and fierce creatures because you, who partook of manna in the wilderness and witnessed the marvels performed by God, turned to the golden calf and worshipped it. Thus, God rightly describes you: a corrupt generation; children in whom there is no faithfulness (Deuteronomy 32:20).
When Noah exited the ark, he promptly built an altar for the Lord and presented sacrifices of pure animals and birds as an expression of gratitude for his salvation from the deluge. This offering was accepted with favor by God. In return, the Lord reinstated the original blessing bestowed upon Adam, commanding him to "be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over every living thing that moves upon the earth" (Gen. 9:1-2). Furthermore, he was granted the permission to consume meat and fish, a practice not previously observed within Noah's lineage from Seth, apart from what was seen in Cain's descendants and the giants, as the narrative from Chaldea suggests, assuming its accuracy.
All living creatures shall serve as sustenance for you. Following the Flood, animals were designated for nourishment because, as some believe, the yield of the earth might eventually fall short to cater to the vast number of people; a scarcity in the earth's abundance was believed to have occurred, and the frailty of the human body necessitated stronger means for its sustenance. Theodoret points out that God, foreseeing humanity's propensity towards idolatry and the worship of animals, granted them the flesh of these beings to teach them the inappropriateness of rendering divine honor to creatures that can be slaughtered and consumed. Jerome suggests that God, in this instance, has demonstrated patience towards human obstinacy.
Nevertheless, despite God's provision of all that moves as food for mankind, the differentiation between clean and unclean animals in dietary matters, even prior to the Mosaic Law, may stem from an understanding of their inherent qualities and could have been established by tradition. Such distinctions have been observed since ancient times even among pagan societies.
The Lord granted His initial creations the blessing to consume only vegetables; the animals were to provide milk and were not meant to be killed for sustenance but rather for offerings and garments for humanity. In contrast, the Lord now allows humans to partake in the flesh of animals along with their foods. This change reflects the fact that, following the curse placed upon the earth due to human transgression, plants diminished in their original perfection, becoming less nourishing and beneficial. Consequently, the weakened physical state of humanity, due to sin, necessitated the strongest form of sustenance for survival and fortification.
God has provided for mankind all creatures that move upon the land and in the waters, referring specifically to those animals whose flesh is deemed wholesome and beneficial; however, this does not include all creatures, as many are unsuitable for consumption and some—being toxic—pose a danger. Those that are permissible for food are chiefly the clean animals. The distinction between clean and unclean animals was recognized prior to the flood, and subsequently, the Mosaic law prohibited the sacrifice and consumption of unclean species.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS