Leviticus 11:20-23

Clean and Unclean Flying Insects

20 "All winged insects that walk on all fours are to be detestable to you.
21 But you may eat these kinds of all the winged insects that walk on all fours: those that have jointed legs above their feet for hopping on the ground.
22 You may eat these: the various kinds of locust,[a] the various kinds of katydid, the various kinds of cricket, and the various kinds of grasshopper.
23 All [other] winged insects that have four feet are to be detestable to you.

Leviticus 11:20-23 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.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Ex 10:4,12-19; Jl 1:4; 2:25
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