Is It Wrong to Eat Human Flesh?

Okay, weird title. But this is a question that came up recently, and it is an interesting theological exercise. Is eating human flesh wrong? We are not talking mainly about overt cannibalism, where one commits murder in order to eat human flesh. That is clearly wrong. We are mainly talking about a survival scenario, such as being stranded on a boat or in the mountains, where survivors eat humans who have already died in order to survive. For example, the survivors of the 1972 plane crash in the Andes ate their companions to survive. Is it wrong for a Christian to eat human beings who have already died?

Although this question may seem bizarre, it actually helps us think through some deeper biblical realities. Sometimes strange ethical questions force us to ask what we really believe about humanity. Are human beings merely biological organisms? Are our bodies just empty shells after death? Or does Scripture teach that mankind has a unique dignity because man is made in the image of God? In other words, this is not just a question about food, survival, or desperate circumstances. It is a question about the significance of human beings before God.

That is why this issue is worth thinking about carefully. Christians should be able to reason from Scripture, even on questions the Bible does not directly answer in a single verse. And in this case, the broader teaching of Scripture gives us important categories for thinking about human life, death, the body, and the honor that belongs to mankind as God’s image-bearers.

Cannibalism in the Bible

The closest the Bible gets to directly addressing this issue is in a few select prophecies to Israel that their sin would cause famine and hardship, resulting in cannibalism during sieges (Lev 26:29; Deut 28:53–57; Jer 19:9; Ezek 5:10). Additionally, three other passages record that cannibalism happened in Israel’s history (2 Kgs 6:24–31; Lam 2:20; 4:10).

It is important to note that none of these passages directly says, “You shall not eat human flesh.” However, that does not mean the Bible is neutral about the issue. In each of these contexts, cannibalism is presented as a horrific consequence of sin and judgment. It is not treated as normal. It is not treated as acceptable. It is one of the lowest points of human desperation and covenant curse.

That observation does not settle every possible survival scenario, but it does give us an important starting point. When Scripture speaks of eating human flesh, it places the act in the category of horror, shame, and judgment. That should make us very hesitant to treat it as morally permissible.

God’s Design for Food

There is another important biblical point worth considering. Man’s diet was originally limited to plants (Gen 1:29–30). After the flood, God expanded mankind’s diet to include meat (Gen 9:3). But this expansion of man’s diet specifically included “moving creatures.” The reference is to animals, not humans.

This is especially important because the very next verses emphasize the special significance of human beings (Gen 9:5–6). Unlike the animals, mankind is made in the image of God. That is why there is such a harsh penalty for shedding human blood. Obviously, Genesis 9 is specifically talking about murder. But the contextual point is still significant: human beings are not placed in the same category as animals.

In other words, God gives mankind permission to eat animals, but He immediately distinguishes humans from animals because humans uniquely bear His image. That distinction seems to matter. Human beings are not simply another form of meat. They are image-bearers of God.

The Honor Due to the Human Body

This leads to a final point. Human beings are worthy of special honor because they are made in the image of God (Gen 1:26–28). This includes how we think about the human body, even after death.

Throughout the Old Testament, human bodies are usually buried or placed in tombs or caves after death. Burial is treated as an act of honor and respect. By contrast, being left unburied, burned, mutilated, or eaten by animals is often associated with shame or judgment. The body matters because the person matters.

This is one reason why Christians should resist the idea that the body is merely a disposable shell after death. Yes, the person’s soul is separated from the body at death. But Scripture still treats the body as significant. The body belonged to a human being made in God’s image. And for believers, the body is also connected to the future hope of resurrection.

Thus, even if a person has already died, that does not automatically make the body morally available for consumption. The question is not simply, “Will this help someone survive?” The question is also, “Does this treat the human body with the honor Scripture gives to those made in God’s image?”

Conclusion

Thus, it seems that eating human flesh would not be acceptable, even if the person died of natural causes. The reason for this is threefold. First, the only times eating human flesh is mentioned in Scripture, it is linked with sin, horror, and God’s judgment. Second, eating human flesh goes beyond God’s permitted diet of plants and moving creatures. Third, man is created in God’s image and is therefore worthy of special honor and dignity, unique among creation.

Of course, Christians should be careful when speaking about extreme survival scenarios. Most of us have never experienced that kind of desperation, and we should not speak flippantly about those who have endured unimaginable suffering. I remember one Christian telling me that they believe it is wrong, but they would likely eat human flesh to survive if they had to. Be that as it may, as a matter of biblical ethics, eating human flesh does not seem to accord humans their appropriate respect as those made in the image of God. Lord willing, we won’t face such a scenario!