Fox in the Bible – what does a fox represent in the Bible?
Introduction
Several verses in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible made references to fox.
Samson, the Israelites’ deliverer, used foxes against his enemies, while Jesus Christ used them in His teaching.
One noticeable fact about a fox and its usage in the Bible is that it represents evil and negativity.
Fox is seen as an agent of destruction, a sign of opposition and sinfulness.
Many Christians have come across this wild animal in the Bible or real life and what to understand its spiritual significance.
Others have seen it in their dreams and are seeking answers.
Where you want to learn more about foxes or need deep spiritual insights into the animal, this article will guide you.
What does a fox symbolize in the Bible?
A sign of destruction
“Then Samson went and caught three hundred foxes; and he took torches, turned the foxes tail to tail, and put a torch between each pair of tails.” (Judges 15:4)
When Samson was born, he was ordained a Nazirite with the special assignment to become the deliverer of the nation of Israel from the oppression of the Philistines.
Samson launched various attacks and killed thousands of soldiers alone because God had endowed him with supernatural strength that no man could match.
Samson used the jaw of a donkey to kill three thousand men. However, that wasn’t his only tool to unleash death upon the Philistines. Samson used fox.
The Bible says Samson caught three thousand foxes, set fire to their tails, and released them into the farms of his enemies.
“When he had set the torches on fire, he let the foxes go into the standing grain of the Philistines, and burned up both the shocks and the standing grain, as well as the vineyards and olive groves.” (Judges 15:5)
The fox ran into the farms in pain, hoping to quench the fire set on their tails. However, they ignited a huge inferno in the Philistines’ farm, engulfing their grains and plants with fire and destroying all they had.
Here, the fox became an agent of destruction against God’s enemies.
No wonder the Psalmist referred to his enemies as foxes and prayed for their destruction.
“But those who seek my life to destroy it, Will go into the depths of the earth. They will be turned over to the power of the sword; They will be a prey for foxes.” (Psalms 63:9-10)
A sign of opposition
“And He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’” (Luke 13:32)
Jesus was teaching as usual. However, the Pharisees and other disgruntled elements were not pleased with Him because Jesus threatened all they represented.
His teachings were like missiles launched against their false teachings and evil lifestyles. Therefore, felt threatened and hated him, including Herod, the ruler of Galilee.
Herod sent some Pharisees to Jesus so that he would kill Him. However, Jesus compared Herod to a fox (Luke 13:30-32). In this sense, a fox represents an opposer, especially to the move of God and His work.
Herod was irritated by Jesus’ works. However, Jesus countered Him with boldness, listing all the good works He had done.
Many foxes like Herod will try to resist and stop our services to God.
They disguise as governmental policies to cripple the church’s growth and limit its activities. However, you are obligated as a believer to not run away from these foxes because they can do nothing. Face and challenge them because the Great God is behind them.
Little sins
“Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes.” (Song of Solomon 2:15)
The vine in the Song of Solomon symbolizes the nature of the deep affection shared between two lovers.
The portion of the Bible presents a ripe and tender vine, producing a sweet smell (Song of Solomon 2:13). However, the following two verses paint imagery of little foxes that spoil vines and devour their tender grapes.
Jesus describes Himself as the true vine and we as the branches.
He further stated that anyone who abides in Him will produce fruits (John 15:1-8). Abiding in Jesus shows a deep and intimate connection. However, this connection can be ruined by foxes.
Little foxes look harmless.
They bear a striking resemblance to puppies. However, the bigger they get, the more dangerous they become.
A cute little fox that curls up on you can devour you when they mature.
This is how sin operates.
Some sins are termed little sins because they are seemingly harmless with lesser impacts.
A little lie here and an innocent hug with the opposite sex you are attracted to there. And before you know it, it becomes big and leads to one’s death.
An example of a little sin that led to death is what transpired between Ananias, his wife Saphira, and Peter, the leader of the early church in the New Testament, who sold a piece of land and lied about the actual amount made.
This little or harmless lie ended their lives (Acts 5:1-11).
You might not lose your life like this couple, but your relationship with Jesus is at stake if you do not forsake sin once and for all. Catch the foxes and destroy them before they destroy you.
False prophets
“O Israel, your prophets are like foxes in the deserts.” (Ezekiel 13:4)
The prophet Ezekiel labeled false prophets as foxes in the desert.
Foxes are known to be cunning.
False prophets are deceptive, taking advantage of the spiritual unsound to feed them false prophecies, create fear and take advantage of them.
False prophets prey on innocent people just as foxes devour animals they can overpower. Therefore, foxes in the Bible represent cunningness and craftiness, spirits and characters coming from the father of lies, the devil.
All through the scripture, we see the devil exhibiting this same craftiness.
He goes about deceiving God’s people and tricking them out of God’s will.
For example, he deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, destroying their relationship with God and making them lose their home (Genesis 3:1-24).
He also tried to deceive Jesus Christ in the wilderness but failed woefully (Matthew 4:1-11). We must beware of false prophets whose aim is to deceive and devour.
Enemies of progress
“Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall.” (Nehemiah 4:3)
Nehemiah began rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem after it was destroyed and left desolate for many years after the Babylonian army attack. However, he faced opposition from two men named Samballat and Tobiah.
Tobiah, during one of his episodes of mockery, said the walls Nehemiah and the Israelites had built would be broken down by foxes.
This was a derogatory speech to portray the weakness of the project. But it revealed Tobiah’s evil heart.
Tobiah opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the freedom of the Israelites. However, he and his cronies failed, and the walls were completed.
Therefore, foxes represent an attack against progress and advancement.
It’s an act of sabotage, launched to limit someone’s growth so they remain on a level where you can trample upon them and rule over them.
It is oppressive and evil.
A sign of desolation
“Because of Mount Zion which is desolate, With foxes walking about on it.” (Lamentations 5:18)
Foxes are commonly found in abandoned and uninhabited places.
They make such places their homes and hiding spots.
Seeing foxes around, therefore, signifies a lack of productive activities, stagnation, and retrogression. It shows a lack of growth and lost glory.
For example, Israel, a glorious and wonderful city, was destroyed and ransacked by the enemy.
All items of worship in a temple made of gold and silver were looted and carted away.
Its beautiful edifices and high walls were all broken and burnt into dust.
It became a ghost town and a shadow of itself. It became home to foxes and other wild animals.
Nature of Jesus’ ministry
“And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” (Luke 9:58)
Jesus used foxes to describe the nature of His ministry and the sacrifices involved.
While foxes have holes where they rest and sleep, Jesus said, He doesn’t have a place to lay His head.
This is not to say that he could not get a place to have a restful night, but He used this illustration to show that He was always on the move.
Jesus moved from one city to the next, teaching and performing miracles.
He had little or no time to sleep, so He needed no permanent residence.
He was in the fields, on the mountains, and in boats, traveling to new locations and spreading the gospel.
The lesson here is that serving the Lord involves discomfort and lots of work.
You would often have to sacrifice some pleasures, including sleep. Therefore, while Fox represents profitless comfort, serving God involves hard work but numerous blessings.
What is the spiritual meaning of foxes in the dreams?
Spiritual alertness
Foxes have sharp pointy ears, making them sensitive to sounds and impending attacks by hunters or other larger predators.
Dreaming about foxes signifies that you must be spiritually alert toward dangers.
It might mean that people around you are scheming plans to destroy your reputation or projects. Therefore, you must arm and safeguard yourself spiritually with prayer.
The Bible says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Heed this advice to not fall under the claws and teeth of your enemies.
Independence
Foxes are known to be solitary hunters.
They do things in isolation because of their territorial nature.
Dreaming about a fox is a sign to detach yourself from people you depend on and tap into your God-given resources and potential lying fallow in you.
For example, it could represent a nudge to begin your own business or leave your parent’s house and rent an apartment.
Identify areas in your life you have depended too much on people or a system and find ways to maximize your potential.
Craftiness
Sly as a fox is a famous expression used to depict cunningness and dishonesty.
This figurative expression is derived from the foxes’ cunning nature.
They are deceptive, leaving no trace of their presence to hide any clue that will make hunters locate and kill them.
Although it is a survival instinct for this animal, it’s a bad character for humans who imbibe it.
Dreaming about a fox may mean someone close to you is being dishonest about something. Therefore, you must be careful.
Double-check agreements and deals before attesting your signature, and ensure you are not careless with sensitive information and details about your finances, investments, relationships, etc.
Often, the enemy disguises itself as the angel of light to win our friendship and make us let our guards down before attacking.
Your dream might be a sign to reassess yourself and your circle of influence and whether they represent your values and purpose.
Adaptation
Foxes are highly adaptive animals.
They are omnivorous in nature.
They feed on live animals when available and fall back on wild berries and fruits during certain seasons.
Adapting to whatever food source is abundantly available makes them survive any season, even when meat is scarce, unlike other wild animals that are purely carnivorous.
Seeing foxes in your dream could be a pointer to you to be more adaptive.
It may mean you need to explore more options instead of relying on one source.
It could be opening you up to building your social capital by making new friends, trying new investment opportunities, learning new skills to improve yourself and increase your opportunities, or exploring new environments.
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David Akeju is a Christian writer who believes in the transformational power of God’s Word. His articles and books have been published on global platforms, and thousands of lives have been touched. He works with pastors and ministers, churches and ministries, and brands.