Where does it say in The Bible that animals don't have souls?

Question

I have known animals with more love in their hearts than many humans................ seems like a soul to me.

Answer 1

The Hebrew word for animal used in Genesis is the very word for soul: nephesh. The Bible never says animals don't have souls.

Answer 2

There was a fair amount of animal sacrifices in the old Testament. Apparently the smell of burning animal flesh was a pleasing odor to G-d. I don't sense much concern by the creator as to the importance of an animal soul. On the other hand, Noah was advised to save the various species of the world before everything else was laid to waste. Still, the focus from a biblical point is that animals as well as the grass of the fields are for our nourishment and comfort. Yogurt lives too, but I doubt it has a soul. I would like to believe that G-d has made some other pact with animals that we are not privileged to. Obviously animals understand love, security and comfort. And this they share generously with us. I wouldn't worry to much, what kind of almighty ruler would kick a dog.

Answer 3

That's a great question. Here is what I found. I'm sure there is more but did not want to give you a book. From reading these scriptures it makes sense to me that when God created the animals to have knowledge of the Lord they would also have a soul.

Like humans, animals were formed from the ground. "Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air" (Genesis 2:19). When God breathed a spirit into Adam's body, made from the earth, Adam became nephesh, a "living being" or "soul" (Genesis 2:7). Remarkably, the same Hebrew word, nephesh, is used for animals and for people. We are specifically told that not only people, but animals have "the breath of life" (Genesis 1:30; 2:7; 6:17; 7:15, 22). God hand-made animals, linking them both to the earth and humanity.


GENESIS 9: 14-17
When I gather the clouds over the earth and the bow appears in the clouds, I shall recall the covenant between myself and you and every living creature, in a word all living things, and never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all living things. When the bow is in the clouds I shall see it and call to mind the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth, that is, all living things. `That' God told Noah, `is the sign of the covenant I have established between myself and all living things on earth.'

PSALMS 50:10-11
For all forest creatures are mine already, the animals on the mountains in their thousands. I know every bird in the air, whatever moves in the fields is mine.

JOB 12:7-10
You have only to ask the cattle, for them to instruct you, and the birds of the sky, for them to inform you. The creeping things of earth will give you lessons, and the fish of the sea provide you an explanation: there is not one such creature but will know that the hand of God has arranged things like this! In his hand is the soul of every living thing and the breath of every human being!

ISAIAH 11:6-9
And the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed, their young ones shall lie down together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice's den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Answer 4

Read Genesis 2. "The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul" ...."The Lord God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name."
Adam and Eve walked and talked with God in Eden. They were above the animals. Many places in the Bible speak of human's souls, but not of animals.

Answer 5

I believe animals have souls. And I believe animals go to heaven also, especially our pets. They are on a one on one basis with God. Animals know things way before us humans do. Like when the weather is going to change. My dog Pennylane who passed away last year could tell us when an earthquake was coming, she had a way about her that we knew what she was trying to tell us.

Answer 6

It says in Genesis that God created the animals but it said He breathed the breath of life into man.

Very good question. Now I am going to have to do some research

Answer 7

From what I've heard, it is the debate over what "breath of life" means in Genesis. Although later on all creation is referred to as having the breath of life in it.

However, to comment on your additional detail - just because one has a soul doesn't mean that the love is automatic. Some just run from it.

Answer 8

It doesn't. But the Bible says only that God created man in His image, with body, spirit and soul.

Answer 9

According to Islam an animal with a liver is considered to have soul I think. Try to read about it here
http://www.alazhr.com/aboutislam_u/default.asp

Answer 10

in the book of genesis where god created the animals then man where he breathed the breath of life into the only one of his creations to get the breath of life, a soul.