Are Aliens Mentioned in the Bible? What Does "Alien" Mean in the Bible?
The Bible does mention “aliens,” but not in the modern sense of extraterrestrial beings. In biblical language, an alien is someone who is not native to the land in which they dwell. The term refers to foreigners or sojourners, often those living among Israel without being Israelites.
Exodus 22:21 (NKJV) – “You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
Leviticus 19:34 (NKJV) – “The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
In these contexts, “alien” refers to a non-Israelite living among God's people—not to beings from another world.
Bible Verses About Being Aliens
Here are key verses that speak about being “aliens,” “sojourners,” “strangers,” or “pilgrims”:
1. Exodus 22:21
“You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
God commands Israel to treat foreigners with compassion, reminding them of their own experience as aliens in Egypt.
2. Leviticus 19:34
“The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”
This verse reiterates the theme of hospitality and empathy toward foreigners, grounded in Israel’s identity.
3. Leviticus 25:23
“The land shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are strangers and sojourners with Me.”
Even the Israelites themselves are seen as sojourners with God—a theological truth that foreshadows the New Testament theme of heavenly citizenship.
4. Deuteronomy 10:19
“Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
God again highlights Israel’s alien status in the past as the foundation for justice and compassion.
5. Psalm 39:12
“Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; do not be silent at my tears; for I am a stranger with You, a sojourner, as all my fathers were.”
David reflects on the temporary nature of life, acknowledging his position as a sojourner even in his own land.
6. Psalm 119:19
“I am a stranger in the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me.”
This verse emphasizes the pilgrim mindset of the believer who seeks God’s guidance while journeying through a world not his own.
7. Hebrews 11:13
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”
The heroes of faith understood their heavenly calling and lived with the awareness that Earth was not their true home.
8. 1 Peter 2:11
“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.”
Peter exhorts believers to live holy lives, recognizing their identity as spiritual exiles, separate from worldly corruption.
9. Ephesians 2:19
“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”
This verse beautifully contrasts our former alienation from God with our current status as citizens of His kingdom through Christ.
10. 1 Chronicles 29:15
“For we are aliens and pilgrims before You, as were all our fathers; our days on earth are as a shadow, and without hope.”
King David speaks of life’s brevity and the transient nature of earthly existence in light of God's eternal plan.
11. Genesis 23:4
“I am a foreigner and a visitor among you. Give me property for a burial place among you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.”
Abraham identifies as an alien and sojourner when negotiating for land, reflecting both his literal and spiritual journey.
Are UFOs Mentioned in the Bible?
The Bible does not explicitly mention UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects) as we understand them today - namely, aerial vehicles associated with extraterrestrial life or alien technology. However, some readers have speculated that certain unusual visions or events in Scripture might suggest UFO encounters. A careful, theologically faithful interpretation of these passages shows that such conclusions are misreadings of the text.
Misinterpreted Passages: Ezekiel’s Vision
One of the most frequently cited passages in alleged biblical UFO theories is the vision of the wheels in Ezekiel:
Ezekiel 1:16 (NKJV) – “The appearance of the wheels and their workings was like the color of beryl, and all four had the same likeness. The appearance of their workings was, as it were, a wheel in the middle of a wheel.”
Some interpret this as a description of a flying saucer or spacecraft. However, this is a vision of the glory of God, filled with symbolic language representing God’s omnipresence, majesty, and mystery. The four living creatures, the wheels, and the firmament in Ezekiel 1 serve as heavenly imagery, not physical, mechanical technology.
Ezekiel 1:28 (NKJV) – “Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.”
The chapter concludes by clearly stating that the vision is a representation of God's glory, not a craft or a being from another planet. The language is prophetic and symbolic, not literal.
Angelic Appearances and Supernatural Signs
Other passages sometimes associated with modern UFO ideas include:
- The pillar of cloud and fire that led Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21).
- The chariot of fire that took Elijah to heaven (2 Kings 2:11).
- The star of Bethlehem that guided the Magi (Matthew 2:9).
While these events include supernatural manifestations, they are clearly identified as acts of God, angelic activity, or miraculous signs. They are not described as unknown or alien; rather, their purpose and origin are known—they are part of God’s intervention in human history.
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Did God Create Aliens?
The Bible clearly teaches that God created everything:
Colossians 1:16 (NKJV) – “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible…”
This includes all forms of life and matter. However, the Bible does not say that God created intelligent life on other planets. It does not address extraterrestrial beings at all. If such life exists, it would be under the sovereignty of the Creator, but there is no scriptural evidence for this.
Does the Bible Talk About Space?
The Bible does speak about the heavens, the stars, and celestial bodies, but not in the scientific or astronomical language we use today. Instead of detailing galaxies, black holes, or space-time, Scripture reveals the heavens as the majestic creation of God, declaring His glory, order, and power. The Bible's focus is not scientific exploration, but spiritual revelation—yet what it says about space is profound and awe-inspiring.
From the very first verse, the Bible affirms that God is the Creator of the heavens:
Genesis 1:1 (NKJV) – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
The term "heavens" (Hebrew: shamayim) refers broadly to everything above the earth: the sky, outer space, and the spiritual realms. Scripture speaks of the sun, moon, and stars as part of God's handiwork, made to serve specific purposes:
Genesis 1:14–16 (NKJV) – “Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth’… Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also.”
Here, the heavens are described not merely as physical phenomena but as ordered instruments of divine purpose.
The Bible often uses celestial imagery to illustrate God's power, glory, and transcendence:
Isaiah 40:26 (NKJV) – “Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things, who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; not one is missing.”
God not only created the stars, but He knows and sustains them, something no telescope or scientist can fully grasp. The vastness of space is presented in Scripture as a reflection of the infinite nature of its Creator.
In the ancient world, many cultures worshiped the sun, moon, and stars. The Bible explicitly warns against this idolatry, affirming that these are creations, not deities:
Deuteronomy 4:19 (NKJV) – “And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them, which the Lord your God has given to all the peoples under the whole heaven as a heritage.”
The biblical message is clear: only the Creator, not the creation, deserves our worship.
Does the Bible Mention Other Planets?
The Bible does not specifically name planets other than the sun and moon. Ancient Hebrew cosmology did not define the solar system as we understand it today. While stars are mentioned frequently, their identity is often poetic or symbolic.
Job 9:9 (NKJV) – “He made the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.”
The Bible's intention is to glorify the Creator, not to catalog the cosmos. Other planets are not the focus of Scripture.
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Did God Create Life on Other Planets?
The Bible presents Earth as the unique stage of God's redemptive work. Human beings were created in God's image:
Genesis 1:27 (NKJV) – “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, became man, died, and rose again for humankind.
Hebrews 10:10 (NKJV) – “By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
There is no indication in the Bible that God created life elsewhere or that other races of beings are part of His salvation plan.
Explore Questions Like These with Bible Chat
As we've seen, the Bible contains rich and powerful truths, even about topics that spark deep curiosity, like space, the stars, and whether we are alone in the universe. But understanding the Bible’s answers requires more than surface reading. It takes prayer, study, and sometimes, guided help. That’s where Bible Chat comes in.
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Conclusion - The Bible Does Not Mention Aliens
The Bible does not mention aliens in the way modern culture understands them.
The term “alien” in Scripture refers to foreigners or spiritual pilgrims, not beings from outer space. The Bible is silent about UFOs, life on other planets, or civilizations beyond Earth. Its focus is God’s love, creation, and redemption of humankind through Jesus Christ. Christians are called to trust God’s Word and center their lives on Christ—regardless of what the universe may hold.
