Leviticus 11:41-47

41 And every reptile that creeps upon the earth is an abomination; it shall not be eaten.

42 Whatever goes upon the belly and whatever goes upon four or more feet among all reptiles that creep upon the earth, ye shall not eat; for it is abomination.

43 Ye shall not defile your souls with any reptile that creeps, neither shall ye contaminate yourselves with them, that ye should be unclean with them.

44 For I am the LORD your God; ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy; neither shall ye defile your souls with any reptile that moves upon the earth.

45 For I am the LORD that causes you to come up out of the land of Egypt to be your God; ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

46 This is the law of the animals and of the fowls and of every living creature that moves in the waters and of every animal that creeps upon the earth:

47 to make a difference between the unclean and the clean and between the animals that may be eaten and the animals that may not be eaten.

Leviticus 11:41-47 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.