In the pages of Scripture, we encounter some of the darkest moments of human despair. Cannibalism appears as a stark sign of society’s collapse when people reject God’s ways. Though these passages are hard to read, they shine a light on the cost of persistent disobedience and remind us of God’s call to live with mercy and respect for life.
As we study Bible verses about cannibalism, we do so with humble hearts. We want to learn how far sin can reach, yet hold fast to hope that God offers restoration for all who turn back to Him.
Each subtopic below gathers verses that speak to a different angle of this grim subject. We will read how famine and siege drove people to unthinkable acts, how prophetic warnings spoke of judgment, and how God’s mercy still shines through. Let us open our hearts to learn and be guided by His truth.
Together, we will see that God uses even these harsh warnings to call us to faithfulness and compassion.
Bible Verses About Cannibalism
Cannibalism as a Curse of Judgment
In Bible verses about cannibalism, we see how God warned Israel that wandering from His path would bring unbearable consequences. When we turn away, justice follows, and famine or fear may push people beyond moral bounds. Here we study passages that lay out the curse for breaking the covenant. We learn with sober respect that ignoring God’s care invites tragic outcomes. Yet, in pointing out this curse, Scripture invites us back to His protection, urging us to trust His commands and find life in His presence.
Genesis 19:5
“And they called to Lot, ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we may know them carnally.’” Genesis 19:5
Genesis 19:8
“But he said, ‘No, my lords, please do not act so wickedly.'” Genesis 19:8
Leviticus 26:29
“You will eat the flesh of your sons and the flesh of your daughters.” Leviticus 26:29
Deuteronomy 28:53
“Because of the violence of the hand of the enemy, the sound of which you shall hear daily, your sons and your daughters shall be given to another people, and your eyes shall look and fail with longing for them all the day long; and there shall be no might in your hand.” Deuteronomy 28:53
Deuteronomy 28:57
“The tender and delicate woman among you, who would not venture to set the sole of her foot on the ground because she is so tender and delicate, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son and toward her daughter.” Deuteronomy 28:57
Famine and Siege in 2 Kings
When a city falls under siege, starvation can drive people to desperate measures. These Bible verses about cannibalism reveal how a lack of food stripped away every shred of hope for those trapped. We picture families hiding and trading away their homes and children for a scrap of bread. As we reflect on these verses, we gain compassion for those who endure famine. We also see a warning: in our own lives, ignoring God’s provision may close our hearts to His care and lead us into spiritual hunger.
2 Kings 6:25
“Now there was a great famine in Samaria; and indeed they besieged it until a donkey’s head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove’s dung for five shekels of silver.” 2 Kings 6:25
2 Kings 6:26
“And as the king was passing by on the wall, a woman cried out to him, saying, ‘Help, my lord, O king!’” 2 Kings 6:26
2 Kings 6:27
“He said, ‘If the LORD does not help you, where shall I get help for you? From the threshing floor or from the wine press?’” 2 Kings 6:27
2 Kings 6:28
“Then the king said to her, ‘What is troubling you?’ So she answered, ‘This woman said to me, “Give your son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.”‘” 2 Kings 6:28
2 Kings 6:29
“Then we boiled my son and ate him. And I said to her on the next day, “Give your son that we may eat him,” and she has hidden her son.” 2 Kings 6:29
Cannibalism in Deuteronomy
God’s law carried blessings for obedience and curses for turning away. In Bible verses about cannibalism, Deuteronomy shows the darkest side of those curses. The warnings describe mothers and fathers so crushed by fear that they turned against their own children. As we read these lines, we feel the weight of trusting only in ourselves or in power apart from God. Yet He spoke these words to lead us back into His care, to trust His promises and find freedom from fear.
Deuteronomy 28:53
“And because of the violence of the hand of the enemy, the sound of which you shall hear daily, your sons and your daughters shall be given to another people…” Deuteronomy 28:53
Deuteronomy 28:54
“The man who is most tender and delicate among you will begrudge the flesh of his own son or daughter whom he feeds…” Deuteronomy 28:54
Deuteronomy 28:55
“So he who is tender and delicate among you will begrudge his brother…” Deuteronomy 28:55
Deuteronomy 28:56
“The sensitive and delicate woman among you who would not venture to set the sole of her foot on the ground…” Deuteronomy 28:56
Deuteronomy 28:57
“And because of the dire straits of the enemy, who shall distress you, you shall eat the fruit of your own body…” Deuteronomy 28:57
Prophetic Visions in Lamentations and Ezekiel
When Jerusalem fell, prophets gave raw images to help us feel the sorrow and the result of Israel’s choices. In Bible verses about cannibalism, we see Lamentations and Ezekiel use this horror to call hearts back to God. We read of mothers cooking their own flesh, children crushed, and a land laid bare. As we ponder these visions, we recognize how sin can strip away our humanity. Yet even here, God’s message pushes us toward repentance and trust in His mercy.
Lamentations 4:10
“Though my people are like sheep without a shepherd, they have gone astray in the mountains; every one has turned to his own way…” Lamentations 4:10
Ezekiel 5:10
“Therefore fathers shall eat their sons in your midst, and sons shall eat their fathers…” Ezekiel 5:10
Ezekiel 7:15
“So the fathers shall eat their sons in your midst, and the sons shall eat their fathers; and I will execute judgments among you…” Ezekiel 7:15
Ezekiel 7:16
“And I will scatter you among the nations and disperse you through the countries; I will consume your uncleanness out of you.” Ezekiel 7:16
Jeremiah 19:9
“And I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and everyone shall eat the flesh of his friend in the siege and distress by which their enemies and those who seek their lives shall distress them.” Jeremiah 19:9
Divine Anger through Micah
In the book of Micah, God’s anger at injustice and false worship appears in sharp language. Bible verses about cannibalism in Micah warn leaders who “chew on people’s flesh.” We see how corrupt power can dehumanize neighbors and break the bonds of community. These verses stir our hearts to ask: are we feeding on others by cheating them of love and care? May we learn to treat each person with value as God intends.
Micah 3:3
“You cave in the heads of the poor and turn aside the way of the afflicted; you build your case with falsehood and with empty words, you kill the people that should not be killed and hold elbow room in your hands.” Micah 3:3
Leviticus 26:29
“You will eat the flesh of your sons and the flesh of your daughters.” Leviticus 26:29
Deuteronomy 28:56
“The sensitive and delicate woman among you who would not venture to set the sole of her foot on the ground…” Deuteronomy 28:56
Lamentations 4:10
“Though my people are like sheep without a shepherd, they have gone astray in the mountains; every one has turned to his own way…” Lamentations 4:10
Jeremiah 19:9
“And I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters…” Jeremiah 19:9
Grim Warnings in Leviticus and Genesis
In the laws and stories of early Israel, God showed how sin can hit the heart of homes. Bible verses about cannibalism in Leviticus and Genesis spot the horror when He steps back and justice moves forward. We see Sodom’s wickedness, then a list of curses against idols. These texts urge us to guard our families, worship with sincere hearts, and trust God’s way—never our own strength.
Leviticus 26:29
“You will eat the flesh of your sons and the flesh of your daughters.” Leviticus 26:29
Genesis 19:5
“And they called to Lot, ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we may know them carnally.’” Genesis 19:5
Genesis 19:8
“But he said, ‘No, my lords, please do not act so wickedly.’” Genesis 19:8
Jeremiah 19:9
“And I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters…” Jeremiah 19:9
Ezekiel 5:10
“Therefore fathers shall eat their sons in your midst, and sons shall eat their fathers…” Ezekiel 5:10
Siege Narratives in Kings and Chronicles
Kings and Chronicles detail times when armies crushed cities under God’s judgment. In Bible verses about cannibalism, we read of mothers bargaining for days to feed their children. These images warn us how pride and cruelty unleash suffering. Yet they also show God’s heartbreak over His people. May we learn to honor Him with our lives and keep compassion alive even when the walls seem to close in.
2 Kings 6:25
“Now there was a great famine in Samaria…” 2 Kings 6:25
2 Kings 6:26
“And as the king was passing by on the wall…” 2 Kings 6:26
2 Kings 6:27
“He said, ‘If the LORD does not help you, where shall I get help for you?’” 2 Kings 6:27
2 Kings 6:28
“Then the king said to her, ‘What is troubling you?’” 2 Kings 6:28
2 Kings 6:29
“Then we boiled my son and ate him.” 2 Kings 6:29
Judgment Messages from the Prophets
The prophets spoke plain words when Israel turned from God. Bible verses about cannibalism in Ezekiel and Jeremiah show how divine justice can break social bonds. We see fathers eating sons, neighbors eating friends. These are not normal stories but warnings meant to draw us back to mercy. We learn that every act matters and that God yearns to restore what sin has destroyed.
Ezekiel 7:15
“So the fathers shall eat their sons in your midst…” Ezekiel 7:15
Ezekiel 7:16
“And I will scatter you among the nations…” Ezekiel 7:16
Ezekiel 5:10
“Therefore fathers shall eat their sons in your midst…” Ezekiel 5:10
Micah 3:3
“You cave in the heads of the poor…” Micah 3:3
Jeremiah 19:9
“And I will make them eat the flesh of their sons…” Jeremiah 19:9
Preachers Quotes
“When famine strikes the soul, only God’s word can fill the emptiness,” Billy Graham
“Scripture does not hide our sin but shows us the way back to mercy,” Charles H. Spurgeon
“Cannibalism in Scripture reveals the depth of our need for grace,” John Piper
“Even the darkest verses speak of God’s pursuit of us,” Joyce Meyer
“These harsh warnings call us to value every life,” Rick Warren
“Judgment reveals its cost so we might choose obedience,” Martin Luther
“Reading these passages humbles us before God’s holiness,” A.W. Tozer
“We see sin’s ruin, then find hope in Christ’s rescue,” John MacArthur
“God uses tough words to draw hearts home,” Francis Chan
“Let these verses lead us to compassion and grace,” Christine Caine
You might also be interested in: Bible verses about Planting Seeds
Final Thought
I have walked with each of these passages, feeling both shock and hope. We see how far sin can push people when they turn from God’s care. Yet we also see the heart of our loving Father who uses even harsh warnings to guide us home.
As we close, let us remember we are not alone in our struggles. God speaks through every book of the Bible, calling us back into life and community. Even in the darkest chapters, His mercy shines.
May we take these lessons to heart. Let us care for our neighbors, feed the hungry, and honor the value of every life. In doing so, we turn away from paths that only lead to ruin.
Let us offer grace to each other, pray for those in deep need, and trust that God can restore what was lost. Our hope rests in His unending love, which reaches further than any fear.
Together, we walk forward in faith, holding fast to the promise that nothing can break the bond between God and those who seek Him.
For more on difficult topics, you can explore our war and killing page or study verses about murdering the innocent.