Leviticus 11:6

6 The hare, for even though it chews the cud, it does not have divided hoofs; it is unclean for you.

Leviticus 11:6 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 11:6

And the hare, because he cheweth the cud
Or, "though he chews" it:

but divideth not the hoof, he [is] unclean to you;
and so not to be eaten; so Plutarch F17 says, that the Jews are said to abstain from the hare, disdaining it as a filthy and unclean animal, and yet was in the greatest esteem with the Romans of any four footed beast, as Martial says F18: Moses, as Bochart F19 and other learned men observe, is the only writer that speaks of the hare as chewing the cud; though they also observe, that Aristotle F20 makes mention of that in common with those that do chew the cud, namely a "coagulum" or "runnet" in its stomach; his words are,

``all that have many bellies have what is called (puetia) , a coagulum or runnet, and of them that have but one belly, the hare;''

only that: this creature being prone to lust, may be an emblem of lustful persons, who give up themselves to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness, ( Ephesians 4:19 ) .

(The "hare" is this verse may be an animal that is now is extinct but was alive at the time of Moses. It is only other mentioned in ( Deuteronomy 14:7 ) . Editor.)


FOOTNOTES:

F17 Sympos. l. 9. c. 5.
F18 L. 13. Epigr. 87.
F19 Ut supra, (Hierozoic par. 1. l. 3.) c. 31. col. 977.
F20 De Part. Animal. l. 3. c. 15. & Hist. Animal. l. 3. c. 21.

Leviticus 11:6 In-Context

4 But among those that chew the cud or have divided hoofs, you shall not eat the following: the camel, for even though it chews the cud, it does not have divided hoofs; it is unclean for you.
5 The rock badger, for even though it chews the cud, it does not have divided hoofs; it is unclean for you.
6 The hare, for even though it chews the cud, it does not have divided hoofs; it is unclean for you.
7 The pig, for even though it has divided hoofs and is cleft-footed, it does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you.
8 Of their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch; they are unclean for you.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, 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.