Leviticus 11:18-28

18 water hen, pelican, Egyptian vulture,

19 stork, all herons, hoopoe, bat.

20 "All flying insects that walk on all fours are detestable to you.

21 But you can eat some of these, namely, those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground:

22 all locusts, katydids, crickets, and grasshoppers.

23 But all the other flying insects that have four legs you are to detest.

24 "You will make yourselves ritually unclean until evening if you touch their carcasses.

25 If you pick up one of their carcasses you must wash your clothes and you'll be unclean until evening.

26 "Every animal that has a split hoof that's not completely divided, or that doesn't chew the cud is unclean for you; if you touch the carcass of any of them you become unclean.

27 "Every four-footed animal that goes on its paws is unclean for you; if you touch its carcass you are unclean until evening.

28 If you pick up its carcass you must wash your clothes and are unclean until evening. They are unclean for you.

Leviticus 11:18-28 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.