Keraia
Leviticus 11

Leviticus 11:23

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

Translations

Modern
All other flying insects that have four legs are detestable to you.
Traditional
But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you.
Literal
And every swarming thing that flies that has four feet, it is an abomination to you.
Latin
Quidquid autem ex volucribus quatuor tantum habet pedes, execrabile erit vobis:

Original

Hebrew
English
All other flying insects that have four legs are detestable to you.

Notes

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

Glossary

Animals 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 Locusts Medicine and Medical Practice

Topics

Creeping Things: A General Term for Animals Food: Things Prohibited As Food Insects: Clean and Unclean (Ceremonially Speaking) Insects: Divided Into: Unclean and Abominable Sanitation: Food