Keraia
Leviticus 11

Leviticus 11:43

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

Translations

Modern
Do not defile yourselves by any crawling creature; do not become unclean or defiled by them.
Traditional
Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby.
Literal
You shall not make your souls detestable with any swarming thing that swarms, and you shall not make yourselves unclean with them, and you shall not become unclean by them.
Latin
Nolite contaminare animas vestras, nec tangatis quidquam eorum, ne immundi sitis.

Original

Hebrew
English
Do not defile yourselves by any crawling creature; do not become unclean or defiled by them.

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 Medicine and Medical Practice

Topics

Creeping Things: Unclean Defilement: Laws Relating To Food: Things Prohibited As Food Reptiles: Unclean and not Eaten Sanitation: Food