Leviticus 11:21-31

21 But these ye shall eat of the creeping winged animals, which go upon four feet, which have legs above their feet, to leap with on the earth.

22 And these of them ye shall eat: the caterpillar and his like, and the attacus and his like, and the cantharus and his like, and the locust and his like.

23 Every creeping thing from among the birds, which has four feet, is an abomination to you.

24 And by these ye shall be defiled; every one that touches their carcases shall be unclean till the evening.

25 And every one that takes of their dead bodies shall wash his garments, and shall be unclean till the evening.

26 And whichever among the beasts divides the hoof and makes claws, and does not chew the cud, shall be unclean to you; every one that touches their dead bodies shall be unclean till evening.

27 And every one among all the wild beasts that moves upon its fore feet, which goes on all four, is unclean to you; every one that touches their dead bodies shall be unclean till evening.

28 And he that takes of their dead bodies shall wash his garments, and shall be unclean till evening: these are unclean to you.

29 And these unclean to you of reptiles upon the earth, the weasel, and the mouse, and the lizard,

30 the ferret, and the chameleon, and the evet, and the newt, and the mole.

31 These are unclean to you of all the reptiles which are on the earth; every one who touches their carcases shall be unclean till evening.

Leviticus 11:21-31 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.