Leviticus 11:35-45

35 Anything on which their dead bodies fall is unclean. If it is an oven or a stove, smash it. It is unclean and will remain unclean for you.

36 However, a spring or a cistern holding water will remain clean. But anyone who touches their dead bodies will be unclean.

37 If their dead bodies fall on seed that is to be planted, the seed is clean.

38 But if water is poured on the seed and their dead bodies fall on it, the seed is unclean for you.

39 "When any animal that you are allowed to eat dies, whoever touches its dead body will be unclean until evening.

40 Those who eat any of its dead body must wash their clothes and will be unclean until evening. Those who carry its dead body away will wash their clothes and will be unclean until evening.

41 "Any creature that swarms on the ground is disgusting and must not be eaten.

42 Don't eat any creature with many legs that goes on its belly or on the ground like a four-legged animal, or any creature that swarms on the ground. Consider them disgusting.

43 Don't become disgusting by eating anything that swarms on the ground. Never allow yourselves to become unclean because of them.

44 "Here is the reason: I am the LORD your God. You must live holy lives. Be holy because I am holy. Never become unclean by touching anything that swarms or crawls on the ground.

45 Here is the reason [again]: I am the LORD. I brought you out of Egypt to be your God. Be holy because I am holy.

Leviticus 11:35-45 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.