FISH

Definition

Something or someone belonging to the underworld or death. Knowing that “the Sea” is a term for the underworld, fish is used for those who belong to it. It also seems to be used for death or the dead (see “The Sea/The Deep”)

Scripture

• Once you know that “the Sea” refers to the underworld, it is very easy to understand that “fish” refers to something belonging to the underworld, as the term “fish of the sea” is used throughout the entire Bible.

• Jesus calls men who are unsaved “fish.” And Jesus refers to His disciples who were saving them “fishers.” This makes sense because “the Sea” is a term for the underworld, and if His disciples were saving people from the underworld (the Sea) then they are technically fishermen. Whenever we preach the gospel to someone who is going to hell, we have “fished them from the sea” if they believe us. We have saved them from hell, to which they belonged. 

Matthew 4:18-19 (KJV) And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers [also symbolic I’m sure of what they were being called to]. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

• The Lord also uses this “fishers of men” concept when referring to the nations of unsaved people that we will spare from end time judgment (See our teaching on this). 

Ezekiel 47:10 (KJV) And it shall come to pass, that the fishers [us] shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish [those belonging to the underworld] shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.

• The Bible commonly refers to the “grace and peace” that is multiplied to us as we get to know Jesus. Sometimes, the Bible refers to it as “life and peace” instead. This is referring to the power of God manifesting through us and the peace/rest of God also along with it. Well, it seems that this “grace/life and peace” that is multiplied to us, is symbolized by the “loaves and fishes” that are “multiplied” to the people as they listen to their shepherd (grow in knowledge). The loaves representing the grace/life (see “Bread” definition). The fish probably representing the peace (or death/rest, see “Dead” definition). 

2 Peter 1:2 (KJV) Grace [loaves] and peace [fish] be multipliedunto you through the knowledge of God [taught by shepherd], and of Jesus our Lord…

Romans 8:6 (KJV) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded  [taught by shepherd] is life [loaves] and peace [fish].

Mark 6:33-43 (KJV) 34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things [the knowledge]. VERSE 38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five [loaves, life], and two fishes [peace]. VERSE 41 And when he had taken the five loaves [life] and the two fishes [peace], he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all [multiplied]. 42 And they did all eat, and were filled. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.

• The Bible refers to the wealth of the sinner being laid up for the just. This is true of physical wealth both in this age and in the next age. Sometimes, this is referred to as “the abundance of the seas” being brought to us. In other words, the wealth of those who belong to the underworld being brought to us. To symbolize how the wealth of the unsaved (the fish) is reserved for the righteous to obtain, Jesus paid his taxes by taking money from a fish. This shows how God causes the wealth of those who belong to the underworld (fish of the sea) to be passed to the righteous. Of course, this is something that the Lord works out fairly. This is not an advocacy for stealing or dishonesty. We should be charitable and the Lord works this out on our behalf.

Proverbs 13:22 (KJV) …the wealth of the sinner [fish] is laid up for the just.

Isaiah 60:5 (KJV) Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance [wealth] of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces [or wealth] of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.

Matthew 17:27 (KJV) Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish [the sinner] that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money [wealth]: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.