Leviticus 11:3-13

3 all animals that have completely divided hoofs and that also chew their cud.

4 However, from those that either chew their cud or have divided hoofs, these are the kinds you must never eat: You must never eat camels. (Camels are unclean because they chew their cud but do not have divided hoofs.)

5 You must never eat rock badgers. (Rock badgers are unclean because they chew their cud but do not have divided hoofs.)

6 You must never eat rabbits. (Rabbits are unclean because they chew their cud but do not have divided hoofs.)

7 You must never eat pigs. (Because pigs have completely divided hoofs but do not chew their cud, they are also unclean.)

8 Never eat the meat of these animals or touch their dead bodies. They are unclean for you.

9 "Here are the kinds of creatures that live in the water which you may eat--anything in the seas and streams that has fins and scales.

10 However, you must consider all swarming creatures living in the seas or the streams that have no fins or scales disgusting.

11 They must remain disgusting to you. Never eat their meat. Consider their dead bodies disgusting.

12 Every creature in the water without fins or scales is disgusting to you.

13 "Here are the kinds of birds you must consider disgusting and must not eat. They are eagles, bearded vultures, black vultures,

Leviticus 11:3-13 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.