Fact Check: Was everyone vegetarian before the flood

Fact-Check Article: "Was Everyone Vegetarian Before the Flood?"

What We Know

The claim that "everyone was vegetarian before the flood" primarily derives from interpretations of biblical texts, particularly the book of Genesis. According to Apologetics Press, God instructed Adam to eat "every herb that yields seed" and "every tree whose fruit yields seed" (Genesis 1:29). This has led many to conclude that Adam and Eve, and by extension all of humanity before the Flood, were strictly vegetarian. The same source notes that there is no biblical record of God permitting the consumption of animals until after the Flood, specifically in Genesis 9:1-3, where God states that every moving thing that lives shall be food for humans.

Conversely, other interpretations suggest that while the initial divine instructions favored a vegetarian diet, it does not definitively mean that all humans adhered to this guideline. For example, Chabad points out that the assumption of a strictly vegetarian diet is prevalent but not universally accepted, indicating that there is ambiguity surrounding the actual dietary practices of early humans.

Moreover, BibleAsk emphasizes that while the creation account suggests a vegetarian diet, it does not rule out the possibility of meat consumption occurring before the Flood, especially as Abel was a keeper of sheep, which raises questions about the purpose of livestock.

Analysis

The evidence surrounding the claim is mixed and largely hinges on interpretations of biblical scripture. The assertion that all humans were vegetarians before the Flood is primarily supported by the absence of explicit permission from God to eat animals prior to Genesis 9:3. However, the interpretation of these texts can vary significantly among scholars and theologians.

For instance, Third Millennium Ministries acknowledges that there is no definitive evidence to confirm whether humans consumed meat before the Flood, suggesting that it is more likely they did. This perspective introduces a critical nuance to the claim, indicating that while the biblical text may suggest a vegetarian diet, it does not categorically exclude the possibility of meat consumption.

Furthermore, Story Changes highlights that the belief in a strictly vegetarian diet is prevalent among conservative Bible scholars, yet it is not universally accepted. This indicates a division in scholarly interpretation, which can affect the reliability of the claim.

In evaluating the sources, it is important to note that many of them come from religious organizations or scholars with specific theological perspectives, which may introduce bias. For example, Apologetics Press and BibleAsk are both affiliated with Christian apologetics, which may influence their interpretations of scripture.

Conclusion

The claim that "everyone was vegetarian before the flood" is Partially True. While biblical texts suggest that God initially permitted only the consumption of plants, the lack of explicit prohibition against eating animals prior to the Flood leaves room for interpretation. It is plausible that some individuals may have consumed meat despite the divine instructions. Therefore, while the foundational belief in a vegetarian diet is supported by scripture, the historical reality may have been more complex.

Sources

1. Were All Men Vegetarians before the Flood?
2. Where Humans Vegetarians Before The Great Flood
3. Are You Sure Meat Was Forbidden Until After the Flood?
4. Did man eat meat before the Fall and the Flood?
5. Were Adam and Eve vegetarians? - BibleAsk
6. Vegetarian Animals?
7. Does this passage claim that lions and tigers were vegetarians?
8. What the Bible says about Pre-Flood Society