Did God Allow Adam and Eve to Eat Meat?

The question of whether Adam and Eve were permitted to consume meat has been a topic of much debate among scholars and religious communities. There is no absolute evidence, either way, regarding whether humans ate meat before the Great Flood. However, the Bible provides insight into this matter, particularly through the accounts in Genesis.

Genesis 1:29-30 - The Divine Edict for Plants

According to Genesis 1:29-30, God provided a clear and unequivocal command for both humans and animals:

“And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree that has fruit that yields seed. It shall be food for you. Also to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every creature that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food.’ And it was so.”

This passage indicates that God's original intent was for both Adam and Eve and all other living creatures to consume only plants as food. If this were an oversight, it would imply a significant and unnoticed change in the divine commandment. However, the presence of detailed later commands suggests that no such oversight existed.

Genesis 9:1-4 - The Post-Flood Dietary Change

After the flood, God gave Noah and his sons a new set of commands regarding diet. In Genesis 9:1-4, this change is clearly laid out:

“And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, ‘Bear fruit and multiply and fill the earth. 2 The fear of you and the dread of you will be on every beast of the earth, on every bird of the sky, on all that move on the earth, and on all the fish of the sea. Every moving thing that lives will be food for you. Just as I gave the green plant to you, I now give you everything. 3 But only flesh with its life, that is, its blood, you are not to eat. 4 For your lifeblood I will demand a accounting. From every beast I will demand it, and from each human. From every human’s brother I will require a accounting for the life of a human…’”

The passage explicitly states that meat could be consumed after the flood, but only in the absence of its blood. This change suggests that prior to the flood, the consumption of meat was not allowed.

Conclusion: The Divine Will for Humans and Animals

In sum, the Bible clearly portrays that God did not allow Adam and Eve to kill animals for the purpose of eating their flesh. While they may have been allowed to do so for other reasons, they were certainly not given a divine mandate to consume animal meat. The change in dietary laws after the flood reflects a different context and the complexities of living in a post-disaster world.

For Christians and Jews, the study of these passages is crucial for understanding the principles of stewardship and the nature of humanity's relationship with the world. These texts provide a foundational understanding of dietary laws and the ethical treatment of animals.