Leviticus 11:42-47

42 Don't eat any creature with many legs that goes on its belly or on the ground like a four-legged animal, or any creature that swarms on the ground. Consider them disgusting.

43 Don't become disgusting by eating anything that swarms on the ground. Never allow yourselves to become unclean because of them.

44 "Here is the reason: I am the LORD your God. You must live holy lives. Be holy because I am holy. Never become unclean by touching anything that swarms or crawls on the ground.

45 Here is the reason [again]: I am the LORD. I brought you out of Egypt to be your God. Be holy because I am holy.

46 "These are the instructions about animals, birds, and every living creature that swims in the water and every creature that swarms on the ground.

47 These instructions help you distinguish between clean and unclean, the animals you may eat and those you may not eat."

Leviticus 11:42-47 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.