Keraia
Leviticus 11

Leviticus 11:4

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

Translations

Modern
But of those that only chew the cud or only have a divided hoof, you are not to eat the following: The camel, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is unclean for you.
Traditional
Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
Literal
Nevertheless this you shall not eat from among the ones bringing up the cud, and from among the ones dividing the hoof: The camel, though it is bringing up the cud, but the hoof it is not dividing—it is unclean to you.
Latin
Quidquid autem ruminat quidem, et habet ungulam, sed non dividit eam, sicut camelus et cetera, non comedetis illud, et inter immunda reputabitis.

Original

Hebrew
English
But of those that only chew the cud or only have a divided hoof, you are not to eat the following: The camel, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is unclean for you.

Notes

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

Glossary

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

Topics

Beasts: Unclean: Camel Beasts: Unclean: Not Eaten Camel: Forbidden As Food Cud: Chewing of, Was One of the Facts by Which Ceremonially Clean and Unclean Animals Were Distinguished Food: Things Prohibited As Food Goat: Designated As One of the Ceremonially Clean Animals to be Eaten Hoof: Parting of, One of the Physical Marks Used for Distinguishing Ceremonially Clean and Unclean Animals Sanitation: Food The Camel: Unclean