FISH

Although not authorized to use fish for food until after the Flood, man was from the beginning to have these creatures in subjection. (Gen. 1:28; 9:2, 3)

The markets were located there, some of the gates of Jerusalem being named evidently for the commodities sold there (for example, the Fish Gate).—Neh. 3:3.

Its location was probably in the N wall of the second quarter, the part built by Manasseh (see “Fish Gate,” below), at or near the NE corner of the city.

The raising of the tempestuous wind and its quick cessation, the fish swallowing Jonah and three days later vomiting the prophet out unharmed, and the sudden growth and death of a gourd plant have all been labeled unhistorical because such things do not happen today.

It should be noted, however, that the Bible simply states: “Jehovah appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah,” the kind of fish not being specified. (Jonah 1:17)

Balaam’s ass, the ravens that fed Elijah, the fish that swallowed Jonah—all were supposed to have possessed reasoning, transmigrated souls.

The feast would consist of fowl, fish and ox flesh.

Fish were obtainable from the Mediterranean and also from the Sea of Galilee.

Several of the apostles of Jesus Christ were fishermen, and Jesus, on at least one occasion, after his resurrection, prepared some fish over a charcoal fire for his disciples. (John 21:9)

Some associate the name “Dagon” with the Hebrew word dagh (fish), while others favor linking the name with the Hebrew word da·ghanʹ (grain).

That the idol may have been half man and half fish is suggested by 1 Samuel 5:4, where it is stated concerning the fallen Dagon: “Only the fish part [literally, the Dagon] had been left upon him,” his head and the palms of his hands having been cut off.

Bird life and fish are abundant.

Tristram in his book The Natural History of the Bible, page 285: “The density of the shoals of fish in the Sea of Galilee can scarcely be conceived by those who have not witnessed them.

The translators of the Greek Septuagint understood the bird to be the ka·ta·raʹktes, the Greek name of a bird that dives into the water and swims in pursuit of fish, while the Latin Vulgate uses mergulus (the “diver”) to indicate the bird.

It, therefore seems evident that some fish-eating, diving bird is represented by the Hebrew term, and most translations consider the cormorant to be the most likely type, since it is quite common in Palestine, particularly along the Mediterranean coast and also in certain inland waters such as the Sea of Galilee.

Only after the Flood was man authorized to hunt and fish for food. (Gen. 9:3, 4)

Large nets or dragnets were let down from boats and then either hauled ashore or the catch of fish was emptied into the boats.

Fish Some fish clean People fine, righteous,

according suitable for the Kingdom

to the Law (Matt. 13:47-50)

(Lev. 11:9-12)

The osprey, often called the “fish hawk,” appears to be related to the falcons and hawks but with certain distinct features, including feet with some similarity to those of the owl.

The osprey is found throughout the world, living near large bodies of water, where it feeds on fish that swim near the surface.