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Original
Notes
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).
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
Glossary
Animals Biblical Concept of Law Buzzard 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: Not Eaten Cud: Chewing of, Was One of the Facts by Which Ceremonially Clean and Unclean Animals Were Distinguished Defilement: Caused by Touching Carcass of an Unclean Thing Defilement: Ceremonial Caused by Eating Unclean Things 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 Pork Sanitation: Food Swine: Unclean and not to be Eaten