What Does the Bible Say About Eating Meat and Cheese?

January 10, 2026 •

3 min read

In Genesis 1:29-30, God initially prescribes a vegetarian diet for humanity, yet this command is later revised. A thorough biblical examination of what does the Bible say about eating meat and cheese reveals a complex narrative of evolving dietary laws and Christian liberty.

Quick Summary

This article examines the Bible's stance on consuming meat and cheese, tracing the change from the initial vegetarian diet in Genesis to the granting of meat to Noah. It explores the Old Testament dietary laws, the New Testament's emphasis on Christian freedom and conscience, and the interpretations of the prohibition against boiling a kid in its mother's milk, which is the source of the Jewish kosher laws separating meat and dairy.

Key Points

Initial Vegetarian Diet: In Genesis, God's original plan was for both humans and animals to have a plant-based diet.
Permission to Eat Meat: After the flood, God permits Noah and his descendants to eat meat, though with a prohibition against consuming blood.
Separating Meat and Dairy: The Jewish dietary law separating meat and dairy derives from the commandment not to boil a kid in its mother's milk, an interpretation that evolved over time.
Christian Freedom in the New Testament: Jesus declared all foods clean, shifting the focus from external laws to the purity of the heart.
Conscience and Love: Paul teaches that Christians have the liberty to eat all foods, but should act according to their own conscience and with consideration for others to avoid causing offense.
Peter's Vision: The vision in Acts 10, where Peter is instructed to eat clean and unclean animals, demonstrates God's cleansing of all foods and the extension of the Gospel to the Gentiles.
Focus on Inner Purity: The New Covenant emphasizes faith, love, and internal righteousness over adherence to specific dietary rules.

Old Testament Dietary Progression: From Vegetables to Meat

In the earliest days of creation, God's plan for humanity's sustenance was strictly vegetarian. Genesis 1:29-30 states that humans and animals were to eat only plants and seeds. After the Great Flood, this changed. Genesis 9:3 grants Noah and his descendants permission to eat meat. This came with restrictions, such as not consuming blood.

The Nuance of Kosher Laws and Dairy

Old Testament dietary laws focused on clean and unclean animals. The prohibition against boiling a young goat in its mother's milk (Exodus 23:19; 34:26; Deuteronomy 14:21) is the origin of separating meat and dairy. Interpretations vary, from avoiding pagan practices to preventing cruelty. Rabbinic tradition expanded this to a general rule against mixing meat and dairy in kosher law. The Bible itself doesn't explicitly forbid eating meat and cheese together.

New Testament Freedom and Conscience

The New Testament shifts away from Old Covenant dietary laws. Mark 7:19 shows Jesus declaring all foods clean. The Apostle Paul in Romans 14 and 1 Timothy 4 discusses Christian liberty concerning food. He states that nothing is unclean in itself (Romans 14:14) and encourages believers not to judge each other on food matters, emphasizing faith, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Paul cautions against those forbidding certain foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving (1 Timothy 4:4).

Acts 10: Peter's Vision and the Gospel for All

Peter's vision in Acts 10 involved clean and unclean animals, with a voice telling him not to call impure what God has made clean. This vision not only redefined dietary laws but also symbolized the inclusion of Gentiles in the gospel.

Comparison of Old and New Testament Dietary Approaches


Feature	Old Testament (Mosaic Law)	New Testament (New Covenant)
Meat Consumption	Restricted to "clean" animals (e.g., ruminants with split hooves).	Permitted to eat all foods, with a focus on freedom in Christ.
Dietary Symbolism	Symbolic separation of Israel from other nations and pagan practices.	Emphasis on inner purity from the heart, not external adherence to food laws.
Meat & Dairy	Interpretation of "boil a kid in its mother's milk" led to strict separation in Jewish tradition.	No specific prohibition on mixing meat and dairy; not a matter of concern.
Focus	Outward obedience to specific, detailed laws.	Inward faith, love, and consideration for others' consciences.
Status for Believers	Binding for the nation of Israel.	Superseded for Christians, who are no longer under the Law of Moses.

Conclusion

The Bible's teaching on eating meat and cheese evolves from Old to New Testament. While the Old Covenant had specific dietary laws, the New Covenant grants freedom in Christ. Christians can eat all foods with gratitude and a clear conscience, prioritizing love and unity over strict rules. The decision to eat meat, cheese, or both is a matter of personal conviction.

The Bible and Dietary Laws: A Broader Perspective

The biblical narrative shows a clear movement from a plant-based diet, to the granting of meat, to the freedom of the New Covenant. This evolution reflects a shift from a system of strict legal observance to one based on faith and inner conviction. When considering what the Bible says about eating meat and cheese, Christians are encouraged to exercise their freedom responsibly and lovingly, keeping the well-being of others and the glory of God at the center of their choices.

What to consider when deciding what to eat:

Conviction of conscience: If your conscience is uneasy about a particular food, it is better to abstain.
Consideration for others: Do not cause a fellow believer to stumble with your dietary choices.
Thanksgiving: Whatever you eat, do so with a grateful heart, knowing that God provides.
Glory to God: Your choices should reflect your love for God and others, glorifying Him in all things.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the Bible does not explicitly prohibit eating cheeseburgers or combining meat and cheese. This practice is forbidden in traditional Jewish kosher law, which is a rabbinic interpretation of the Old Testament command not to boil a kid in its mother's milk.

Yes, according to Genesis 1:29-30, God's original dietary provision for humanity and all living creatures was purely vegetarian, consisting of plants and fruits. Permission to eat meat was granted later, after the flood.

Yes, the New Testament teaches that Old Testament food laws no longer apply to believers. Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19), and Paul affirmed that Christians have freedom regarding diet, though they should be mindful of their conscience and not cause a fellow believer to stumble.

Peter's vision, where he sees a sheet of clean and unclean animals and is told to kill and eat, served to communicate that God had made all foods clean. The vision also powerfully symbolized that the Gospel message was meant for all people, both Jews and Gentiles, without distinction.

According to Romans 14, if eating meat causes you to have doubts or violate your own conscience, then for you it would be sinful, as any action not done out of faith is sin. The issue is your conviction, not the food itself.

The Old Testament dietary laws, or kosher laws, served several purposes for the Israelites. They were intended to set Israel apart from other nations, encourage obedience, and potentially serve as a practical health measure. They were a part of the Old Covenant that was fulfilled by Christ.

A Christian should approach the topic of diet with an attitude of gratitude for God's provision. They should be guided by a clear conscience and consider the impact their choices have on others, acting in love rather than rigid legalism.