Introduction: It has been estimated from FAO reported capture tonnages, together with fish size data mostly accessed from the internet, that the number of fish caught each year is 0.97-2.74 trillion (Mood and Brooke 2010). And Prof. Culum Brown’s (2015) research unequivocally shows that fish are sentient and emotional beings and clearly feel pain in much the same way that humans do. This ongoing animal holocaust, according to the Scriptures, will certainly provoke God’s wrath, and both the fishers and the fish-eaters will be condemned:-
“The fishers also shall mourn, and all they that cast angle into the brooks shall lament, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish.” (Isaiah 19:8 KJV)
Full Text: https://www.vegantheology.net/post/fishers-shall-mourn-isaiah-19-8-go-vegan-by-dr-chapman-chen
1. Context
Admittedly, the immediate context of this verse is a prophecy against Egypt in Isaiah 19, where the prophet foretells the downfall of Egypt’s economy due to divine judgment.
2. A Vegan Theological Perspective
However, the verse also highlights the suffering caused by the depletion of fish populations. From a vegan theological standpoint, this passage could be seen as:
1. A prophetic warning against human exploitation of nature, including overfishing.
2. An indirect acknowledgment of the pain and suffering caused to aquatic life, as fishing results in the destruction of ecosystems. 3. A call to re-evaluate humanity’s relationship with animals, aligning with other anti-violence and pro-compassion themes in Isaiah (e.g., Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25).
3. Biblical Patterns That Support a Vegan Reading
As a matter of fact, Isaiah is one of the strongest voices against animal sacrifice and cruelty in the Bible.
Isaiah 11:6-9 – Describes a peaceful, non-violent kingdom where no creature harms another.
Isaiah 65:25 – Envisions a future where even carnivorous animals stop preying on others.
Isaiah 66:3 – Equates animal sacrifice with murder, showing God’s rejection of bloodshed.
If we view Isaiah 19:8 in light of Isaiah’s broader ethical themes, it is reasonable to interpret it as a lament over the suffering of animals caused by human exploitation.
4. Conclusion: A Vegan Perspective on Isaiah 19:8
While Isaiah 19:8 does not explicitly prohibit fishing, it presents a scene of sorrow and destruction tied to human exploitation of fish. This aligns with a vegan theological interpretation that:✅ Recognizes the suffering of aquatic animals.✅ Warns against the overuse and abuse of natural resources.✅ Calls for a more compassionate and sustainable relationship with all creatures, esp. fish.
Thus, while not a direct command against fishing, Isaiah 19:8 can be read as a critique of the harm humans inflict on nature, supporting the broader vegan ethics of compassion and non-violence.
References
Bekoff, Marc (2014). “Fish Are Sentient and Emotional Beings and Clearly Feel Pain.” Psychology Today, July 19. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/animal-emotions/201406/fish-are-sentient-and-emotional-beings-and-clearly-feel-pain
Brown, C. (2015) “Fish intelligence, sentience and ethics.” Anim Cogn 18, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-014-0761-0
Mood, A. and Brooke, P. (2010). “Estimating the Number of Fish Caught in Global Fishing Each Year.” FishCount Org. https://fishcount.org.uk/published/std/fishcountstudy.pdf
P.S.
For all those fishy stories about Jesus eating or distributing fish, pls refer to my article at https://www.hkbnews.net/post/all-those-fishy-stories-about-jesus-the-vegan-christ-by-dr-chapman-chen-hkbnews
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