Leviticus 11:21

insects that walk on all fours: those having jointed legs above their feet: This phrase excludes creatures that creep or crawl close to the ground (Leviticus 11:27). Leviticus 11:42 says that creatures with many legs, like centipedes, are ceremonially unclean. Locusts and grasshoppers are examples of ceremonially clean insects (see Matthew 3:4).

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).