Leviticus 11:47

47 That you may know the differences of the clean, and unclean, and know what you ought to eat, and what to refuse.

Leviticus 11:47 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 11:47

To make a difference between the unclean and the clean,
&c.] Whether of beasts, fish, fowl, and flying creeping things:

and between the beast that may be eaten, and the beast that may not
be eaten;
the former clause takes in all in general, this instances in a particular sort of creatures; and the first mentioned of which, that might be eaten, are, that part the hoof, are cloven footed, and chew the cud; and that might not, that chew the cud, but divide not the hoof, or divide the hoof, but chew not the cud; and now, by such like descriptions and distinctions of the creatures treated of, the Israelites would be able to make a difference between the one and the other, and know what was to be eaten, and what not.

Leviticus 11:47 In-Context

45 For I am the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that I might be your God.

46 You shall be holy, because I am holy. This is the law of beasts and fowls, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and creepeth on the earth:

47 That you may know the differences of the clean, and unclean, and know what you ought to eat, and what to refuse.