Biblical View on Non-Human Humanoid Beings on Earth
The Bible does not explicitly describe non-human humanoid beings dwelling on Earth. Instead, biblical texts consistently distinguish between humans and other creatures, as well as between physical beings and spiritual entities.
The creation accounts in Genesis establish a clear hierarchy and distinction among living things. God creates birds, fish, and land animals "according to their kinds" [4, 5]. Humanity, however, is uniquely created in God's image and given dominion over all other creatures [4, 5]. Adam is tasked with naming the animals, further emphasizing humanity's distinct role and intellectual capacity [4]. The Bible notes that animals possess instinct, but this is inferior to human reason [4]. Even in their physical composition, the "flesh" of various animal species differs [8].
While the Bible does not present non-human humanoids, it does refer to various non-human entities, which can be broadly categorized as spiritual beings or symbolic representations.
Spiritual Beings: The Bible frequently mentions spiritual beings such as angels and demons. These are not described as having physical bodies that dwell on Earth in the same way humans do, though they can interact with the physical world. For instance, the book of Daniel refers to "gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh," contrasting them with humans [6]. John Gill, in his commentary on Hebrews, notes that "creature" can sometimes refer to "man," implying a distinction from other types of created beings [10]. The concept of "flesh" in scripture often refers to the physical, earthly existence, as seen in John 3:6, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh: and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" [9].
Symbolic and Apocalyptic Figures: In prophetic and apocalyptic literature, particularly in books like Daniel and Revelation, there are descriptions of figures that might be interpreted as humanoid but are clearly symbolic or supernatural rather than earthly biological species. For example, Revelation speaks of a "beast" that "comes up out of the abyss" [1]. This figure is part of a symbolic narrative concerning spiritual warfare and eschatological events, not a description of a distinct biological race inhabiting Earth. Similarly, the "dragon" mentioned in Deuteronomy and Job is often understood symbolically [5].
Absence of a "Third Category": Biblical texts generally present a dichotomy between humanity and the animal kingdom, and between the physical and spiritual realms. There is no sustained biblical concept of a "third category" of non-human, yet physically present and intelligent, humanoid beings on Earth. Abraham Ibn Ezra, commenting on Numbers, distinguishes between "man's body" and "the body of an animal," reinforcing this binary [7]. The focus of biblical anthropology is on humanity's unique relationship with God and its place within creation. Colossians 3:2 encourages believers to "mind the things above, not the things on the earth," directing attention away from earthly distinctions and toward heavenly realities [2]. The apostle Paul emphasizes that in Christ, earthly distinctions like "Greek and Jew" or "bondman, freeman" are abolished, highlighting a spiritual unity that transcends human categories [11].
The biblical worldview, therefore, does not provide a basis for the existence of non-human humanoid beings as a distinct species co-existing with humanity on Earth. All creatures are manifest in God's sight, and all things are "naked and open unto his eyes" [3, 10].
Sources
- Revelation “The beast that you saw was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss and to go into destruction. Those who dwell on the earth and whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see that the beast was, and is not, and shall be present. -- Revelation 17:8”
- Colossians “Colossians 3:2 (LITV) — mind the things above, not the things on the earth,”
- Hebrews “Hebrews 4:13 (Geneva1599) — Neither is there any creature, which is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and open vnto his eyes, with whome we haue to doe.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Birds — Created by God -- Ge 1:20,21; 2:19. Created for the glory of God -- Ps 148:10. Herb of the field given as food to -- Ge 1:30. Differ in flesh from beasts and fishes -- 1Co 15:39. Power over given to man -- Ge 1:26; Ps 8:8. Names given to, by Adam -- Ge 2:19,20. Instinctively fear man -- Ge 9:2. Instinct of, inferior to man's reason -- Job 35:11. Lessons of wisdom to be learned from -- Job 12:7. Can all be tamed -- Jas 3:7. Given as food to man -- Ge 9:2,3. The blood of, not to be eaten -- Le 7:26. The property of God -- Ps 50:11. God provides for -- Ps 104:1-”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Reptiles — Created by God -- Ge 1:24,25. Made for praise and glory of God -- Ps 148:10. Placed under the dominion of man -- Ge 1:26. Unclean and not eaten -- Le 11:31,40-43; Ac 10:11-14. Mentioned in scripture Chameleon. -- Le 11:30. Lizard. -- Le 11:30. Tortoise. -- Le 11:29. Snail. -- Le 11:30; Ps 58:8. Frog. -- Ex 8:2; Re 16:13. Horseleech. -- Pr 30:15. Scorpion. -- De 8:15. Serpent. -- Job 26:13; Mt 7:10. Flying fiery serpent. -- De 8:15; Isa 30:6. Dragon. -- De 32:33; Job 30:29; Jer 9:11. Viper. -- Ac 28:3. Adder or Asp. -- Ps 58:4; 91:13; Pr 23:32. Cockatrice o”
- Daniel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Daniel 2:11: gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh--answering to "no man upon the earth"; for there were, in their belief, "men in heaven," namely, men deified; for example, Nimrod. The supreme gods are referred to here, who alone, in the Chaldean view, could solve the difficulty, but who do not communicate with men. The inferior gods, intermediate between men and the supreme gods, are unable to solve it. Contrast with this heathen idea of the utter severance of God from man, Joh 1:14, "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us"; Daniel was in this case made His”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Numbers 19:11: MAN’S…BODY. Not the body of an animal.”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 15:39: Illustrations of the suitability of bodies, however various, to their species: the flesh of the several species of animals; bodies celestial and terrestrial; the various kinds of light in the sun, moon, and stars, respectively. flesh--animal organism [DE WETTE]. He implies by the word that our resurrection bodies shall be in some sense really flesh, not mere phantoms of air [ESTIUS]. So some of the oldest creeds expressed it, "I believe in the resurrection of the flesh." Compare as to Jesus' own resurrection body, Luk 24:39; Joh 20:27; to whi”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: Homily XXVI. John iii. 6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh: and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” [1.] Great mysteries are they, of which the Only-begotten Son of God has counted us worthy; great, and such as we were not worthy of, but such as it was meet for Him to give. For if one reckon our desert, we were not only unworthy of the gift, but also liable to punishment and vengeance; but He, because He looked not to this, not only delivered us from punishment, but freely gave us a life much more bright 679 679 al. “precious.” than”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 4:12: Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight,.... Christ is the Lord God omniscient; there is no creature, in general, rational, or irrational, animate or inanimate, but what are known to him, and seen by him; for all creatures are made, and upheld by him, and he is omnipresent; and in particular, there is no man but is manifest to him; so "creature", is often used by the Rabbins for "man"; all men, openly profane men, who are enemies to Christ, and his people, are under his eye and notice; he knows their persons, he sees their actions, even those ”
- Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 3:11: Where--Translate, "Wherein," namely, in the sphere of the renewed man. neither . . . nor . . . nor . . . nor--Translate as Greek, "There is no such thing as Greek and Jew (the difference of privilege between those born of the natural seed of Abraham and those not, is abolished), circumcision and uncircumcision (the difference of legal standing between the circumcised and uncircumcised is done away, Gal 6:15) --bondman, freeman." The present Church is one called out of the flesh, and the present world-course (Eph 2:2), wherein such distinctions ex”