What Does the Bible Say About Cicadas? A Christian Perspective on Creation

What Does the Bible Say About Cicadas? A Christian Perspective on Creation
Quick Answer: what does the bible say about cicadas: the Bible does not name cicadas directly, but it teaches that God creates living creatures and calls believers to praise Him. It also warns that certain creeping fowl are unclean, and it reminds us that nature changes while God’s word endures. So cicadas can be a prompt for worship and gratitude, not fear.

If you’ve noticed a sudden surge of cicadas, you may wonder, does the Bible mention cicadas or why Scripture seems silent about them. The good news is that the Bible doesn’t need to list every creature to teach us how to think. God is Creator, nature is real, and yet human life and visible beauty are temporary. Scripture also invites praise—turning even unexpected sounds and seasons into reminders to worship. At the same time, some passages address dietary and holiness categories for certain animals, which helps Christians understand that God cares about how His people live. In this article, we’ll connect verified verses about creation, cleanliness, worship, and the enduring Word of God to answer what does the bible say about cicadas in a thoughtful, Christ-centered way.

At a Glance — Verses in This Article

  • Genesis 1:21
  • Leviticus 11:20
  • Leviticus 11:23
  • Psalms 148:7
  • Isaiah 40:6-8
  • Isaiah 51:6

Bible Verses

Genesis 1:21 (King James Version)

“And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.”

This verse shows God created “every living creature” and declared it good, supporting a worshipful view of creatures like cicadas.

Leviticus 11:20 (King James Version)

“All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be an abomination unto you.”

It lists unclean “fowls” that creep in a way that reminds believers God defines holiness and clean/unclean categories.

Leviticus 11:23 (King James Version)

“But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you.”

This verse further defines other flying creeping things as unclean, offering context for how Scripture can classify insects.

Psalms 148:7 (King James Version)

“Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:”

It calls on the earth’s creatures to praise the Lord, encouraging Christians to see natural life as part of worship.

Isaiah 40:6-8 (King James Version)

“The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”

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This passage highlights that flesh and beauty fade, but God’s word stands forever—ideal for interpreting seasonal life cycles like cicadas.

Isaiah 51:6 (King James Version)

“Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.”

It contrasts the vanishing heavens and aging earth with God’s salvation lasting forever, grounding a long-term hope beyond nature’s seasons.

God Created Living Creatures—So Don’t Miss the Worship Prompt

When people ask what does the bible say about cicadas, they often want a direct “yes/no” answer. The Bible, however, does not name cicadas specifically. That said, Scripture clearly teaches that God is the Creator of living creatures in the world. In Genesis 1:21, God brings forth abundant life and declares it “good.” That matters because it corrects two extremes: first, treating nature as meaningless noise; and second, fearing creatures as if creation were outside God’s care. If God made living creatures and called creation good, then a cicada emergence can become a simple invitation to gratitude—“Lord, You made this.”

Psalm 148:7 pushes the same direction: it calls living things connected with the earth to praise the LORD. While cicadas are not identified by name, the principle is larger than the example. The Psalms present creation as a stage where God’s greatness is recognized. So, rather than turning every insect encounter into superstition, Christians can turn it into worship.

At the same time, Scripture doesn’t treat the topic of creatures casually. It shows God’s holiness is real and that God’s people are to live with obedience. That leads us to the next question many believers have: “If cicadas are insects, do the clean/unclean rules apply?” The Bible gives guidance about certain kinds of “creeping” and “flying creeping things.” That guidance helps show that Scripture cares about holiness—not that every creature automatically becomes spiritually “unsafe” or spiritually “special.”

Clean/Unclean Categories: What Scripture Says About Certain Creeping Flyers

Leviticus includes detailed instructions about holiness, including which animals were considered clean and which were “an abomination.” In Leviticus 11:20, certain “fowls that creep” going on four are described as an abomination to God’s people. In Leviticus 11:23, it adds that “other flying creeping things, which have four feet” are also to be considered an abomination.

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For today’s reader wondering cicadas in Scripture meaning, these passages may feel indirect. Cicadas are known for their remarkable sound and emergence patterns, but the Bible does not explicitly map the modern category “cicada” onto the ancient categories in Leviticus. Still, the verses teach a consistent message: God’s people are not called to decide holiness by personal instinct or cultural trend. God defines boundaries.

Practically, this means Christians can approach the clean/unclean material thoughtfully without forcing a one-to-one identification. If your question is spiritual—“Should I fear cicadas?”—these verses don’t instruct fear. If your question is about diet or ritual practice, the key is that God’s covenant community operated under specific rules. The deeper takeaway for believers today is that God’s Word establishes what is right, and His people respond with reverence.

In other words: Leviticus helps us read creation through the lens of obedience and worship, not through panic. Creation is good, praise is appropriate, and God’s Word provides direction for how His people live.

Seasonal Life, Fading Beauty, and the Word That Stands Forever

Cicadas are memorable partly because of their timing—some years feel “silent,” then suddenly loud. That seasonal pattern naturally raises the spiritual question: “What does this remind me of?” Isaiah gives a powerful framework. In Isaiah 40:6-8, the prophet describes how “All flesh is grass” and explains that grass withers and flowers fade. The reason is not cruel indifference; rather, it’s a reminder that only God’s Word lasts.

When you hear the chorus of cicadas, Isaiah can help you see it as a vivid illustration of change. Their emergence is real, their presence is striking, and then—eventually—life shifts again. That’s not a reason for dread. It’s a reason to anchor your heart in what endures.

Isaiah 51:6 adds another dimension: the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth ages like a garment, and those who dwell in it will die in like manner—yet God’s salvation remains forever. So, even if you’re tempted to treat nature as permanent or to wonder whether the moment has spiritual meaning, Scripture points you toward steadiness.

This is where how Christians should view cicadas and nature becomes clear: you can appreciate the season as a part of God’s creation, but you don’t build ultimate hope on the season itself. Ultimate hope rests in God’s salvation and righteousness, and in His Word that stands.

How to Respond When You Notice Cicadas Nearby

A Christian response can be simple, honest, and worship-oriented. First, practice gratitude for God’s creation. If you notice cicadas, you’re seeing an example of living creatures that God made. Let that prompt a short prayer: “Lord, You made this. Help me praise You.” That aligns with Genesis 1:21 and the invitation to praise in Psalm 148:7.

Second, avoid fear-based thinking. The Bible provides categories for holiness (as seen in Leviticus 11:20 and 11:23), but it does not teach believers to panic at every natural phenomenon. If you’re unsure whether something “counts,” don’t fill the gap with anxiety. Instead, return to what Scripture does clearly teach: God is Creator, God is holy, and God’s Word is trustworthy.

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Third, let the season teach you endurance. Isaiah 40:6-8 and Isaiah 51:6 both point to fading nature and enduring truth. When cicadas fade and the noise stops, remember that transitions happen to everything visible. Your life, your circumstances, and even the earth itself move through change. But God’s Word stands forever, and His salvation does not fail.

Finally, turn the moment into praise. Choose one verse of response in your heart—praise God, ask for wisdom, and ask that your faith be grounded in permanence rather than in temporary experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Bible mention cicadas directly?

No. The Bible does not name cicadas specifically. However, Scripture teaches that God created living creatures (Genesis 1:21), calls for praise from creation (Psalms 148:7), and reminds believers that nature is temporary while God’s Word and salvation last (Isaiah 40:6-8; Isaiah 51:6).

What does the Bible teach about insects and worship?

The Bible doesn’t reduce insects to fear or superstition. Instead, it places creation in a worship framework. Psalm 148:7 calls on the earth and its creatures to praise the LORD, and Genesis 1:21 affirms God’s creation is good—so believers can respond with gratitude and worship.

Do Leviticus rules about “creeping” flying things apply to cicadas?

Leviticus 11:20 and Leviticus 11:23 speak about certain kinds of creeping or flying creeping things as “unclean.” The Bible does not explicitly map those categories to modern “cicadas,” so the safest approach is to take the holiness principle seriously while avoiding speculative identification.

How should Christians interpret a sudden cicada emergence spiritually?

Use it as a reminder that the visible world changes. Isaiah 40:6-8 describes how grass withers and flowers fade, while God’s Word stands forever. Isaiah 51:6 similarly emphasizes the earth’s aging compared to God’s everlasting salvation. Let the season draw you toward faith and praise.

A Short Prayer

Lord God, Creator of all living things, thank You for the goodness of the world You formed. When we hear unusual sounds and see seasonal life, help us respond with reverence rather than fear. Teach us to praise You, remember that flesh fades, and cling to Your Word that stands forever. Give us steady hope in Your salvation and righteousness that will never be abolished. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Key Takeaway: Even without naming cicadas, Scripture invites Christians to praise God for His good creation and to anchor hope in what lasts forever.