Keraia
Leviticus 11

Leviticus 11:2

Clean and Unclean Animals · Leviticus 11:1–47
Read Leviticus 11

Translations

Modern
“Say to the Israelites, ‘Of all the beasts of the earth, these ones you may eat:
Traditional
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth.
Literal
“Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘This is the living thing that you may eat from among all the beasts that are on the earth:
Latin
Dicite filiis Israël: Hæc sunt animalia quæ comedere debetis de cunctis animantibus terræ:

Original

Hebrew
English
“Say to the Israelites, ‘Of all the beasts of the earth, these ones you may eat:

Notes

Leviticus 11:2–3

these ones you may eat: The Israelites considered animals with split hooves that chew cud to be "normal" and ceremonially clean (see also Deuteronomy 14:3–21).

Leviticus 11:2–8

Some scholars think people avoided ceremonially unclean animals for health reasons. But evidence does not support this suggestion. Horse meat, for instance, is as healthy as beef, yet it was "unclean" because the horse does not have a split hoof (see Leviticus 11:2–3). These rules existed because an unclean animal was not suitable as an offering to God. So, it was likewise not suitable as food for God's people.

Jesus proclaimed all foods clean for Christians (Mark 7:14–19). This teaching was confirmed in Peter’s vision (Acts 10:9–16).

Leviticus 11:1–15:33

These chapters explain the rules about purity. Mixing different types of animals was forbidden (see Deuteronomy 22:9–11). This is because it opposed God's natural order. Creatures like fish without fins and scales, meat-eating animals, crawling insects, and animals without split hooves were considered "abnormal." They crossed the boundaries between "normal" types and were not suitable for food or offerings (see also Deuteronomy 14:1–21). The dietary laws intended to set Israel apart as a holy people from other nations (Leviticus 11:44–45).

Parallels

Deuteronomy 14:1–21 Acts 10:9–16

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Animals Beast Biblical Concept of Law Buzzard Cleanness and Uncleanness, Regulations Concerning Deuteronomy, Book of Dietary Laws Gospel of Matthew History of Israel Law of Moses Leviticus, Book of Lizard Medicine and Medical Practice

Topics

Beasts: Clean used for Food Food: Things Prohibited As Food Goat: Designated As One of the Ceremonially Clean Animals to be Eaten Sanitation: Food the Domestic Donkey: Unclean