Leviticus 11:20-28

20 “ ‘All flying insects that walk on all fours are to be regarded as unclean by you.

21 There are, however, some flying insects that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground.

22 Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket or grasshopper.

23 But all other flying insects that have four legs you are to regard as unclean.

24 “ ‘You will make yourselves unclean by these; whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean till evening.

25 Whoever picks up one of their carcasses must wash their clothes, and they will be unclean till evening.

26 “ ‘Every animal that does not have a divided hoof or that does not chew the cud is unclean for you; whoever touches the carcass of any of them will be unclean.

27 Of all the animals that walk on all fours, those that walk on their paws are unclean for you; whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean till evening.

28 Anyone who picks up their carcasses must wash their clothes, and they will be unclean till evening. These animals are unclean for you.

Leviticus 11:20-28 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.

Cross References

• 1. Acts 10:14
• 2. Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:6
• 3. S Leviticus 5:2
• 4. ver 27-40; Leviticus 13:3; Leviticus 14:46; Leviticus 15:5; Leviticus 22:6; Numbers 19:7,19
• 5. ver 28; S Exodus 19:10; Leviticus 13:6; Leviticus 14:8,47; Leviticus 15:5; Leviticus 16:26; Numbers 8:7; Numbers 19:7
• 6. Leviticus 13:34; ver 40; Numbers 19:8; Numbers 31:24
• 7. Hebrews 9:10