Keraia
Leviticus 11

Leviticus 11:47

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

Translations

Modern
You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between animals that may be eaten and those that may not.’”
Traditional
To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.
Literal
…to distinguish between the unclean and between the clean, and between the living thing that may be eaten and between the living thing that may not be eaten.’”
Latin
…ut differentias noveritis mundi et immundi, et sciatis quid comedere et quid respuere debeatis.

Original

Hebrew
English
You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between animals that may be eaten and those that may not.’”

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

Food: Things Prohibited As Food Holiness: General Scriptures Concerning Instruction in Religion Sanitation: Food