Leviticus 11:1-10

1 God spoke to Moses and Aaron:

2 "Speak to the People of Israel. Tell them: Of all the animals on Earth, these are the animals that you may eat:

3 "You may eat any animal that has a split hoof, divided in two, and that chews the cud,

4 but not an animal that only chews the cud or only has a split hoof. For instance, the camel chews the cud but doesn't have a split hoof, so it's unclean.

5 The rock badger chews the cud but doesn't have a split hoof and so it's unclean.

6 The rabbit chews the cud but doesn't have a split hoof so is unclean.

7 The pig has a split hoof, divided in two, but doesn't chew the cud and so is unclean.

8 You may not eat their meat nor touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you.

9 "Among the creatures that live in the water of the seas and streams, you may eat any that have fins and scales.

10 But anything that doesn't have fins and scales, whether in seas or streams, whether small creatures in the shallows or huge creatures in the deeps, you are to detest.

Leviticus 11:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS 11

This chapter treats of creatures clean and unclean, as fit or not fit to be eaten; and first of beasts, whose signs are given, Le 11:1-8 then of fishes, which are likewise described, Le 11:9-12 after that of fowls, and those that are not to be eaten are particularly named, Le 11:13-19 next of creeping things, which are distinguished into two sorts, as flying creeping things, of which those that are unclean, their carcasses are not even to be touched, as neither the carcasses of unclean beasts, Le 11:20-28 and creeping things on the earth, which defile by touching, as well as eating, and make everything unclean, upon which, being dead, they fall, Le 11:29-43 and these laws are enforced from the holiness and goodness of God, Le 11:44,45 and the chapter is concluded with a recapitulation of them, Le 11:46,47.