Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Leviticus » Chapter 11 » Verse 1-47

Leviticus 11:1-47 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 And the LORD H3068 spake H1696 unto Moses H4872 and to Aaron, H175 saying H559 unto them,

2 Speak H1696 unto the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 saying, H559 These H2063 are the beasts H2416 which ye shall eat H398 among all the beasts H929 that are on the earth. H776

3 Whatsoever parteth H6536 the hoof, H6541 and is clovenfooted, H8156 H8157 and cheweth H5927 the cud, H1625 among the beasts, H929 that shall ye eat. H398

4 Nevertheless H389 these shall ye not eat H398 of them that chew H5927 the cud, H1625 or of them that divide H6536 the hoof: H6541 as the camel, H1581 because he cheweth H5927 the cud, H1625 but divideth H6536 not the hoof; H6541 he is unclean H2931 unto you.

5 And the coney, H8227 because he cheweth H5927 the cud, H1625 but divideth H6536 not the hoof; H6541 he is unclean H2931 unto you.

6 And the hare, H768 because he cheweth H5927 the cud, H1625 but divideth H6536 not the hoof; H6541 he is unclean H2931 unto you.

7 And the swine, H2386 though he divide H6536 the hoof, H6541 and be clovenfooted, H8156 H8157 yet he cheweth H1641 not the cud; H1625 he is unclean H2931 to you.

8 Of their flesh H1320 shall ye not eat, H398 and their carcase H5038 shall ye not touch; H5060 they are unclean H2931 to you.

9 These shall ye eat H398 of all that are in the waters: H4325 whatsoever hath fins H5579 and scales H7193 in the waters, H4325 in the seas, H3220 and in the rivers, H5158 them shall ye eat. H398

10 And all that have not fins H5579 and scales H7193 in the seas, H3220 and in the rivers, H5158 of all that move H8318 in the waters, H4325 and of any living H2416 thing H5315 which is in the waters, H4325 they shall be an abomination H8263 unto you:

11 They shall be even an abomination H8263 unto you; ye shall not eat H398 of their flesh, H1320 but ye shall have their carcases H5038 in abomination. H8262

12 Whatsoever hath no fins H5579 nor scales H7193 in the waters, H4325 that shall be an abomination H8263 unto you.

13 And these are they which ye shall have in abomination H8262 among H4480 the fowls; H5775 they shall not be eaten, H398 they are an abomination: H8263 the eagle, H5404 and the ossifrage, H6538 and the ospray, H5822

14 And the vulture, H1676 and the kite H344 after his kind; H4327

15 Every raven H6158 after his kind; H4327

16 And the owl, H1323 H3284 and the night hawk, H8464 and the cuckow, H7828 and the hawk H5322 after his kind, H4327

17 And the little owl, H3563 and the cormorant, H7994 and the great owl, H3244

18 And the swan, H8580 and the pelican, H6893 and the gier eagle, H7360

19 And the stork, H2624 the heron H601 after her kind, H4327 and the lapwing, H1744 and the bat. H5847

20 All fowls H5775 that creep, H8318 going H1980 upon all four, H702 shall be an abomination H8263 unto you.

21 Yet these may ye eat H398 of every flying H5775 creeping H8318 thing that goeth H1980 upon all four, H702 which have legs H3767 above H4605 their feet, H7272 to leap H5425 withal H2004 upon the earth; H776

22 Even these of them ye may eat; H398 the locust H697 after his kind, H4327 and the bald locust H5556 after his kind, H4327 and the beetle H2728 after his kind, H4327 and the grasshopper H2284 after his kind. H4327

23 But all other flying H5775 creeping things, H8318 which have four H702 feet, H7272 shall be an abomination H8263 unto you.

24 And for these ye shall be unclean: H2930 whosoever toucheth H5060 the carcase H5038 of them shall be unclean H2930 until the even. H6153

25 And whosoever beareth H5375 ought of the carcase H5038 of them shall wash H3526 his clothes, H899 and be unclean H2930 until the even. H6153

26 The carcases of every beast H929 which divideth H6536 the hoof, H6541 and is not clovenfooted, H8157 H8156 nor cheweth H5927 the cud, H1625 are unclean H2931 unto you: every one that toucheth H5060 them shall be unclean. H2930

27 And whatsoever H3605 H1992 goeth H1980 upon his paws, H3709 among all manner of beasts H2416 that go H1980 on all four, H702 those are unclean H2931 unto you: whoso toucheth H5060 their carcase H5038 shall be unclean H2930 until the even. H6153

28 And he that beareth H5375 the carcase H5038 of them shall wash H3526 his clothes, H899 and be unclean H2930 until the even: H6153 they are unclean H2931 unto you.

29 These also shall be unclean H2931 unto you among the creeping things H8318 that creep H8317 upon the earth; H776 the weasel, H2467 and the mouse, H5909 and the tortoise H6632 after his kind, H4327

30 And the ferret, H604 and the chameleon, H3581 and the lizard, H3911 and the snail, H2546 and the mole. H8580

31 These are unclean H2931 to you among all that creep: H8318 whosoever doth touch H5060 them, when they be dead, H4194 shall be unclean H2930 until the even. H6153

32 And upon whatsoever any of them, when they are dead, H4194 doth fall, H5307 it shall be unclean; H2930 whether it be any vessel H3627 of wood, H6086 or raiment, H899 or skin, H5785 or sack, H8242 whatsoever vessel H3627 it be, wherein any work H4399 is done, H6213 it must be put H935 into water, H4325 and it shall be unclean H2930 until the even; H6153 so it shall be cleansed. H2891

33 And every earthen H2789 vessel, H3627 whereinto any of them falleth, H5307 H8432 whatsoever is in it shall be unclean; H2930 and ye shall break H7665 it.

34 Of all meat H400 which may be eaten, H398 that on which such water H4325 cometh H935 shall be unclean: H2930 and all drink H4945 that may be drunk H8354 in every such vessel H3627 shall be unclean. H2930

35 And every thing whereupon any part of their carcase H5038 falleth H5307 shall be unclean; H2930 whether it be oven, H8574 or ranges H3600 for pots, they shall be broken down: H5422 for they are unclean, H2931 and shall be unclean H2931 unto you.

36 Nevertheless a fountain H4599 or pit, H953 wherein there is plenty H4723 of water, H4325 shall be clean: H2889 but that which toucheth H5060 their carcase H5038 shall be unclean. H2930

37 And if any part of their carcase H5038 fall H5307 upon any sowing H2221 seed H2233 which is to be sown, H2232 it shall be clean. H2889

38 But if any water H4325 be put H5414 upon the seed, H2233 and any part of their carcase H5038 fall H5307 thereon, it shall be unclean H2931 unto you.

39 And if any beast, H929 of which ye may eat, H402 die; H4191 he that toucheth H5060 the carcase H5038 thereof shall be unclean H2930 until the even. H6153

40 And he that eateth H398 of the carcase H5038 of it shall wash H3526 his clothes, H899 and be unclean H2930 until the even: H6153 he also that beareth H5375 the carcase H5038 of it shall wash H3526 his clothes, H899 and be unclean H2930 until the even. H6153

41 And every creeping thing H8318 that creepeth H8317 upon the earth H776 shall be an abomination; H8263 it shall not be eaten. H398

42 Whatsoever goeth H1980 upon the belly, H1512 and whatsoever goeth H1980 upon all four, H702 or whatsoever hath more H7235 feet H7272 among all creeping things H8318 that creep H8317 upon the earth, H776 them ye shall not eat; H398 for they are an abomination. H8263

43 Ye shall not make H8262 yourselves H5315 abominable H8262 with any creeping thing H8318 that creepeth, H8317 neither shall ye make yourselves unclean H2933 with them, that ye should be defiled H2930 thereby.

44 For I am the LORD H3068 your God: H430 ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, H6942 and ye shall be holy; H6918 for I am holy: H6918 neither shall ye defile H2930 yourselves H5315 with any manner of creeping thing H8318 that creepeth H7430 upon the earth. H776

45 For I am the LORD H3068 that bringeth H5927 you up out of the land H776 of Egypt, H4714 to be your God: H430 ye shall therefore be holy, H6918 for I am holy. H6918

46 This is the law H8451 of the beasts, H929 and of the fowl, H5775 and of every living H2416 creature H5315 that moveth H7430 in the waters, H4325 and of every creature H5315 that creepeth H8317 upon the earth: H776

47 To make a difference H914 between the unclean H2931 and the clean, H2889 and between the beast H2416 that may be eaten H398 and the beast H2416 that may not be eaten. H398

Commentary on Leviticus 11 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 11

Le 11:1-47. Beasts That May and May Not Be Eaten.

1, 2. the Lord spake unto Moses and to Aaron—These laws, being addressed to both the civil and ecclesiastical rulers in Israel, may serve to indicate the twofold view that is to be taken of them. Undoubtedly the first and strongest reason for instituting a distinction among meats was to discourage the Israelites from spreading into other countries, and from general intercourse with the world—to prevent them acquiring familiarity with the inhabitants of the countries bordering on Canaan, so as to fall into their idolatries or be contaminated with their vices: in short, to keep them a distinct and peculiar people. To this purpose, no difference of creed, no system of polity, no diversity of language or manner, was so subservient as a distinction of meats founded on religion; and hence the Jews, who were taught by education to abhor many articles of food freely partaken of by other people, never, even during periods of great degeneracy, could amalgamate with the nations among which they were dispersed. But although this was the principal foundation of these laws, dietetic reasons also had weight; for there is no doubt that the flesh of many of the animals here ranked as unclean, is everywhere, but especially in warm climates, less wholesome and adapted for food than those which were allowed to be eaten. These laws, therefore, being subservient to sanitary as well as religious ends, were addressed both to Moses and Aaron.

3-7. Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and cheweth the cud—Ruminating animals by the peculiar structure of their stomachs digest their food more fully than others. It is found that in the act of chewing the cud, a large portion of the poisonous properties of noxious plants eaten by them, passes off by the salivary glands. This power of secreting the poisonous effects of vegetables, is said to be particularly remarkable in cows and goats, whose mouths are often sore, and sometimes bleed, in consequence. Their flesh is therefore in a better state for food, as it contains more of the nutritious juices, is more easily digested in the human stomach, and is consequently more easily assimilated. Animals which do not chew the cud, convert their food less perfectly; their flesh is therefore unwholesome, from the gross animal juices with which they abound, and is apt to produce scorbutic and scrofulous disorders. But the animals that may be eaten are those which "part the hoof as well as chew the cud," and this is another means of freeing the flesh of the animal from noxious substances. "In the case of animals with parted hoofs, when feeding in unfavorable situations a prodigious amount of fœtid matter is discharged, and passes off between the toes; while animals with undivided hoofs, feeding on the same ground, become severely affected in the legs, from the poisonous plants among the pasture" [Whitlaw, Code of Health]. All experience attests this, and accordingly the use of ruminating animals (that is, those which both chew the cud and part the hoof) has always obtained in most countries though it was observed most carefully by the people who were favored with the promulgation of God's law.

4. the camel—It does to a certain extent divide the hoof, for the foot consists of two large parts, but the division is not complete; the toes rest upon an elastic pad on which the animal goes; as a beast of burden its flesh is tough. An additional reason for its prohibition might be to keep the Israelites apart from the descendants of Ishmael.

5. the coney—not the rabbit, for it is not found in Palestine or Arabia, but the hyrax, a little animal of the size and general shape of the rabbit, but differing from it in several essential features. It has no tail, singular, long hairs bristling like thorns among the fur on its back; its feet are bare, its nails flat and round, except those on each inner toe of the hind feet, which are sharp and project like an awl. It does not burrow in the ground but frequents the clefts of rocks.

6. the hare—Two species of hare must have been pointed at: the Sinai hare, the hare of the desert, small and generally brown; the other, the hare of Palestine and Syria, about the size and appearance of that known in our own country. Neither the hare nor the coney are really ruminating. They only appear to be so from working the jaws on the grasses they live on. They are not cloven-footed; and besides, it is said that from the great quantity of down upon them, they are very much subject to vermin—that in order to expel these, they eat poisonous plants, and if used as food while in that state, they are most deleterious [Whitlaw].

7. the swine—It is a filthy, foul-feeding animal, and it lacks one of the natural provisions for purifying the system, "it cheweth not the cud"; in hot climates indulgence in swine's flesh is particularly liable to produce leprosy, scurvy, and various cutaneous eruptions. It was therefore strictly avoided by the Israelites. Its prohibition was further necessary to prevent their adopting many of the grossest idolatries practised by neighboring nations.

9. These shall ye eat … whatsoever hath fins and scales—"The fins and scales are the means by which the excrescences of fish are carried off, the same as in animals by perspiration. I have never known an instance of disease produced by eating such fish; but those that have no fins and scales cause, in hot climates, the most malignant disorders when eaten; in many cases they prove a mortal poison" [Whitlaw].

12. Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales, &c.—Under this classification frogs, eels, shellfish of all descriptions, were included as unclean; "many of the latter (shellfish) enjoy a reputation they do not deserve, and have, when plentifully partaken of, produced effects which have led to a suspicion of their containing something of a poisonous nature."

13-19. these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls—All birds of prey are particularly ranked in the class unclean; all those which feed on flesh and carrion. No less than twenty species of birds, all probably then known, are mentioned under this category, and the inference follows that all which are not mentioned were allowed; that is, fowls which subsist on vegetable substances. From our imperfect knowledge of the natural history of Palestine, Arabia, and the contiguous countries at that time, it is not easy to determine exactly what some of the prohibited birds were; although they must have been all well known among the people to whom these laws were given.

the ossifrage—Hebrew, "bone-breaker," rendered in the Septuagint "griffon," supposed to be the Gypœtos barbatus, the Lammer Geyer of the Swiss—a bird of the eagle or vulture species, inhabiting the highest mountain ranges in Western Asia as well as Europe. It pursues as its prey the chamois, ibex, or marmot, among rugged cliffs, till it drives them over a precipice—thus obtaining the name of "bone-breaker."

the ospray—the black eagle, among the smallest, but swiftest and strongest of its kind.

14. the vulture—The word so rendered in our version means more probably "the kite" or "glede" and describes a varying but majestic flight, exactly that of the kite, which now darts forward with the rapidity of an arrow, now rests motionless on its expanded wings in the air. It feeds on small birds, insects, and fish.

the kite—the vulture. In Egypt and perhaps in the adjoining countries also, the kite and vulture are often seen together flying in company, or busily pursuing their foul but important office of devouring the carrion and relics of putrefying flesh, which might otherwise pollute the atmosphere.

after his kind—that is, the prohibition against eating it extended to the whole species.

15. the raven—including the crow, the pie.

16. the owl—It is generally supposed the ostrich is denoted by the original word.

the nighthawk—a very small bird, with which, from its nocturnal habits, many superstitious ideas were associated.

the cuckoo—Evidently some other bird is meant by the original term, from its being ranged among rapacious birds. Dr. Shaw thinks it is the safsaf; but that, being a graminivorous and gregarious bird, is equally objectionable. Others think that the sea mew, or some of the small sea fowl, is intended.

the hawk—The Hebrew word includes every variety of the falcon family—as the goshawk, the jerhawk, the sparrow hawk, &c. Several species of hawks are found in Western Asia and Egypt, where they find inexhaustible prey in the immense numbers of pigeons and turtledoves that abound in those quarters. The hawk was held pre-eminently sacred among the Egyptians; and this, besides its rapacious disposition and gross habits, might have been a strong reason for its prohibition as an article of food to the Israelites.

17. the little owl—or horned owl, as some render it. The common barn owl, which is well known in the East. It is the only bird of its kind here referred to, although the word is thrice mentioned in our version.

cormorant—supposed to be the gull. [See on De 14:17.]

the great owl—according to some, the Ibis of the Egyptians. It was well known to the Israelites, and so rendered by the Septuagint (De 14:16; Isa 34:11): according to Parkhurst, the bittern, but not determined.

18. the swan—found in great numbers in all the countries of the Levant. It frequents marshy places—the vicinity of rivers and lakes. It was held sacred by the Egyptians, and kept tame within the precincts of heathen temples. It was probably on this account chiefly that its use as food was prohibited. Michaelis considers it the goose.

the pelican—remarkable for the bag or pouch under its lower jaw which serves not only as a net to catch, but also as a receptacle of food. It is solitary in its habits and, like other large aquatic birds, often flies to a great distance from its favorite haunts.

the gier eagle—Being here associated with waterfowl, it has been questioned whether any species of eagle is referred to. Some think, as the original name racham denotes "tenderness," "affection," the halcyon or kingfisher is intended [Calmet]. Others think that it is the bird now called the rachami, a kind of Egyptian vulture, abundant in the streets of Cairo and popularly called "Pharaoh's fowl." It is white in color, in size like a raven, and feeds on carrion; it is one of the foulest and filthiest birds in the world. [See on De 14:17.]

19. the stork—a bird of benevolent temper and held in the highest estimation in all Eastern countries; it was declared unclean, probably, from its feeding on serpents and other venomous reptiles, as well as rearing its young on the same food.

the heron—The word so translated only occurs in the prohibited list of food and has been variously rendered—the crane, the plover, the woodcock, the parrot. In this great diversity of opinion nothing certain can be affirmed regarding it. Judging from the group with which it is classified, it must be an aquatic bird that is meant. It may as well be the heron as any other bird, the more especially as herons abound in Egypt and in the Hauran of Palestine.

the lapwing—or hoopoe; found in warm regions, a very pretty but filthy species of bird. It was considered unclean, probably from its feeding on insects, worms, and snails.

the bat—the great or Ternat bat, known in the East, noted for its voracity and filthiness.

20. All fowls that creep, &c.—By "fowls" here are to be understood all creatures with wings and "going upon all fours," not a restriction to animals which have exactly four feet, because many "creeping things" have more than that number. The prohibition is regarded generally as extending to insects, reptiles, and worms.

21, 22. Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet—Nothing short of a scientific description could convey more accurately the nature "of the locust after its kind." They were allowed as lawful food to the Israelites, and they are eaten by the Arabs, who fry them in olive oil. When sprinkled with salt, dried, smoked, and fried, they are said to taste not unlike red herrings.

26. every beast … not cloven-footed—The prohibited animals under this description include not only the beasts which have a single hoof, as horses and asses, but those also which divided the foot into paws, as lions, tigers, &c.

29. the weasel—rather, the mole.

the mouse—From its diminutive size it is placed among the reptiles instead of the quadrupeds.

the tortoise—a lizard, resembling very nearly in shape, and in the hard pointed scales of the tail, the shaketail.

30. the ferret—the Hebrew word is thought by some to signify the newt or chameleon, by others the frog.

the chameleon—called by the Arabs the warral, a green lizard.

the snail—a lizard which lives in the sand, and is called by the Arabs chulca, of an azure color.

the mole—Another species of lizard is meant, probably the chameleon.

31-35. whosoever doth touch them, when … dead, shall be unclean until the even—These regulations must have often caused annoyance by suddenly requiring the exclusion of people from society, as well as the ordinances of religion. Nevertheless they were extremely useful and salutary, especially as enforcing attention to cleanliness. This is a matter of essential importance in the East, where venomous reptiles often creep into houses and are found lurking in boxes, vessels, or holes in the wall; and the carcass of one of them, or a dead mouse, mole, lizard, or other unclean animal, might be inadvertently touched by the hand, or fall on clothes, skin bottles, or any article of common domestic use. By connecting, therefore, the touch of such creatures with ceremonial defilement, which required immediately to be removed, an effectual means was taken to prevent the bad effects of venom and all unclean or noxious matter.

47. make a difference between the unclean and the clean—that is, between animals used and not used for food. It is probable that the laws contained in this chapter were not entirely new, but only gave the sanction of divine enactment to ancient usages. Some of the prohibited animals have, on physiological grounds, been everywhere rejected by the general sense or experience of mankind; while others may have been declared unclean from their unwholesomeness in warm countries or from some reasons, which are now imperfectly known, connected with contemporary idolatry.