Leviticus 11:47

47 to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean and between the living creature that may be eaten and the living creature that may not be eaten.

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 up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God; you shall therefore be holy, for I am holy."
46 This is the law pertaining to beast and bird and every living creature that moves through the waters and every creature that swarms upon the earth,
47 to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean and between the living creature that may be eaten and the living creature that may not be eaten.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.