Leviticus 11
Overview
11:1 What beasts may;
11:4 and what may not be eaten;
11:9 What fishes;
11:13 What fowls;
11:29 The creeping things which are unclean. Verse 1 Reciprocal Genesis 7:2 - every clean; 8:20 - clean beast; 9:3 - Every; Leviticus 15:1 - Aaron; 20:25 - put difference; Acts 10:14 - for; Habakkuk 3:1 - not with Verse 2 Deuteronomy 14:3-8; Ezekiel 4:14; Daniel 1:8; Matthew 15:11; Mark 7:15-19; Acts 10:12, 10:14; Romans 14:2, 14:3, 14:14, 14:15; 1 Timothy 4:4-6; Habakkuk 3:1, 3:1
Of the laws relative to clean and unclean beasts, which are recorded in this chapter and Deut. 14 the following may be found a useful abstract.
1. In regard to quadrupeds, all beasts that have their feet completely cloven, above as well as below, and at the same time chew the cud, are clean. Those which have neither, or indeed want one of these distinguishing marks, are unclean. This is a systematic division of quadrupeds so excellent, as never yet, after all the improvements in natural history, to have become obsolete, but, on the contrary, to be still considered as useful by the greatest masters of the science.
2. With regard to fishes, Moses has in like manner, made a very simple systematic distinction. All that have scales and fins are clean; all others unclean.
3. Of birds, he merely specifies certain sorts as forbidden, thereby permitting all others to be eaten.
4. Insects, serpents, worms, etc., are prohibited; but with regard, however to those winged insects, which besides four walking legs, also have two longer springing legs - Pedes saltatorii
Moses makes an exception, and under the denomination of locusts, declares them clean in all four stages of their existence.
In Palestine, Arabia, and the adjoining countries, locusts are one of the most common articles of food, and people would be very ill of if they durst not eat them: For, when a swarm of them desolates the fields, they prove in some measure themselves an antidote to the famine which they occasion. They are not only eaten fresh, immediately on their appearance, but the people collect them, and know a method of preserving them for a long time for food, after they have dried them in an oven. - Niebuhr's Description of Arabia, pp. 170-175.Reciprocal Leviticus 11:46 - This; Deuteronomy 14:4 - General; Isaiah 66:17 - behind one tree in the midst; Colossians 2:16 - in meat Verse 3 parteth Psalm 1:1; Proverbs 9:6; 2 Corinthians 6:17 cheweth Deuteronomy 6:6, 6:7, 16:3-8; Psalm 1:2; Proverbs 2:1, 2:2, 2:10; Acts 17:11; 1 Timothy 4:15 Reciprocal Ezekiel 1:7 - like the sole Verse 4 unclean unto you Genesis 7:1, 7:2; Deuteronomy 14:1-29; Isaiah 52:11; 1 Corinthians 8:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; 1 John 3:4
Verse 5 the coneyShaphan, most probably an animal resembling the rabbit, called by Dr. Shaw, daman (probably for ganam ) Israel, "Israel's lamb," and by Bruce, ashkoko, which name he imagines is "derived from the singularity of these long herenacious hairs, which, like small thorns, grow about his back, and which an Amhara are called ashok. " This curious animal abounds in Judea, Palestine, Arabia, and Ethiopia; and is described as being about seventeen inches when sitting. It has no tail; and at first sight gives the idea of a rat. Its colour is grey, mixed with reddish brown; the belly white, the body covered with strong polished hairs, for the most part about two inches in length; the ears round, and not pointed; the feet round, of a soft, pulpy, tender substance; the toes projecting beyond the nails, which are rather broad than sharp; the upper jaw is longer than the other; it lives upon grain, fruit, and roots, and certainly chews the cud; and it does not burrow like the hare and rabbit, but lives in clefts of the rocks. Psalm 104:18; Proverbs 30:26 but divideth Job 36:14; Matthew 7:26; Romans 2:18-24; Philippians 3:18, 3:19; 2 Timothy 3:5; Titus 1:16
Verse 6 the hare Deuteronomy 14:7
Verse 7 swine Deuteronomy 14:8; Isaiah 65:4, 66:3, 66:17; Matthew 7:6; Luke 8:33, 15:15; 2 Peter 2:18-22 Reciprocal Matthew 8:30 - an; Mark 5:11 - herd; Luke 8:32 - there an Verse 8 they are unclean Leviticus 5:2; Isaiah 52:11; Hosea 9:3; Matthew 15:11, 15:20; Mark 7:2, 7:15, 7:18; Acts 10:10-15; 10:28, 15:29; Romans 14:14-17, 14:21; 1 Corinthians 8:8; 2 Corinthians 6:17; Ephesians 5:7, 5:11; Colossians 2:16, 2:21-23; Habakkuk 3:1 Reciprocal Leviticus 11:24 - General; 11:31 - General; Mark 5:11 - herd Verse 9 Deuteronomy 14:9, 14:10; Acts 20:21; Galatians 5:6; James 2:18; 1 John 5:2-5
Verse 10 they shall be Leviticus 7:18; Deuteronomy 14:3; Psalm 139:21, 139:22; Proverbs 13:20, 29:27; Revelation 21:8 Reciprocal Leviticus 7:21 - abominable; Ezekiel 8:10 - every Verse 11 Reciprocal Leviticus 7:18 - an abomination Verse 12 Reciprocal Exodus 8:6 - and the frogs; Numbers 19:11 - toucheth the dead Verse 13 the eagleIn Hebrew, nesher, Chaldee, neshar, Syriac, neshro, and Arabic, nishr, the eagle, one of the largest, strongest, swiftest, fiercest, and most rapacious of the feathered race. His eye is large, dark, and piercing; his beak powerful and hooked; his legs strong and feathered; his feet yellow and armed with four very long and terrific claws; his wings very large and powerful; his body compact and robust; his bones hard; his flesh firm; his feathers coarse; his attitude fierce and erect; his motions lively; his flight extremely rapid and towering; and his cry the terror of every wing. Deuteronomy 14:12-20; Job 28:7, 38:41, 39:27-30; Jeremiah 4:13, 4:22, 48:40; Lamentations 4:19; Hosea 8:1; Habakkuk 1:8; Matthew 24:28; Romans 1:28-32, 3:13-17; Titus 3:3 the ossifragePeres, from paras to break, probably the species of eagle anciently called ossifraga or bone-breaker - from os, a bone, and frango, to break
because it not only strips off the flesh, but breaks the bone, in order to extract the marrow. the osprayHebrew ozniyah, Arabic azan, and Chaldee azyah, - from azaz, to be strong
a species of eagle, probably the black eagle, so remarkable for its strength.Reciprocal Revelation 18:2 - become Verse 14 Reciprocal Leviticus 11:28 - shall wash; Deuteronomy 14:13 - the glede Verse 15 Genesis 8:7; 1 Kings 17:4, 17:6; Proverbs 30:17; Luke 12:24
Verse 16 Deuteronomy 14:15-18; Psalm 102:6; Isaiah 13:21, 13:22, 34:11-15; John 3:19-21; Ephesians 2:2, 2:3, 4:18, 4:19, 5:7-11; Philippians 3:18, 3:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:5-7; Revelation 18:2
Verse 19 bat Isaiah 2:20, 66:17 Reciprocal Job 39:13 - wings and feathers unto the; Psalm 104:17 - as for Verse 20 Leviticus 11:23, 11:27; Deuteronomy 14:19; 2 Kings 17:28-41; Psalm 17:14; Matthew 6:24; Philippians 3:18, 3:19; 2 Timothy 4:10; 1 John 2:15-17; Jude 1:10, 1:19 Reciprocal Leviticus 7:21 - abominable; 11:29 - creeping things that creep; 11:41 - General Verse 21 Reciprocal Leviticus 11:29 - creeping things that creep Verse 22 Exodus 10:4, 10:5; Isaiah 35:3; Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:6; Romans 14:1, 15:1; Habakkuk 3:1; 3:1, 3:1
Verse 23 Reciprocal Leviticus 11:20 - General; 11:27 - General; 11:41 - General Verse 24 Leviticus 11:8, 11:27, 11:28, 11:31, 11:38-40, 17:15, 17:16; Isaiah 22:14; 1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Corinthians 6:17; Ephesians 2:1-3, 5:11; Colossians 2:16, 2:17, 2:20; Habakkuk 3:1; 1 John 1:7 Reciprocal Leviticus 5:2 - touch; 7:19 - General; 7:21 - any unclean; 11:39 - General; 14:46 - shall be unclean; 22:5 - whosoever; 22:6 - General; 1 Samuel 20:26 - he is not clean Verse 25 and be unclean Leviticus 11:28, 11:40, 14:8, 15:5, 15:7-11, 15:13, 16:28; Exodus 19:10, 19:14; Numbers 19:8, 19:10, 19:19, 19:21, 19:22; 31:24; Psalm 51:2, 51:7; Zechariah 13:1; John 13:8; Acts 22:16; Habakkuk 3:1, 3:1; 1 Peter 3:21; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 7:14 Reciprocal Leviticus 11:31 - General; 13:6 - wash; 14:46 - shall be unclean; 17:15 - both wash; 22:6 - General; Numbers 19:7 - General; Deuteronomy 23:11 - when evening Verse 26 Reciprocal Deuteronomy 14:8 - touch; Isaiah 52:11 - touch Verse 27 Leviticus 11:20, 11:23 Reciprocal 11:24 - General; Numbers 19:11 - toucheth the dead; Deuteronomy 14:8 - touch; Judges 13:4 - eat not; 1 Samuel 20:26 - he is not clean; Isaiah 52:11 - touch Verse 28 beareth Leviticus 11:24, 11:25 shall wash 11:14 Reciprocal 5:2 - touch; 11:39 - General; 11:40 - shall wash; 13:6 - wash; 14:46 - shall be unclean; 15:5 - General Verse 29 creeping things that creep Leviticus 11:20, 11:21, 11:41, 11:42; Psalm 10:3, 17:13, 17:14; Haggai 2:6; Luke 12:15, 16:14; John 6:26; 6:66; Ephesians 4:14; Philippians 3:19; Colossians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:2-5; Habakkuk 3:1 Reciprocal Ezekiel 8:10 - every Verse 31 Leviticus 11:8, 11:24, 11:25 Reciprocal 5:2 - touch; 11:39 - General; Numbers 19:11 - toucheth the dead; 1 Samuel 20:26 - he is not clean Verse 32 it must be put into water Leviticus 6:28, 15:12; Titus 2:14, 3:5 Reciprocal Leviticus 6:27 - wash; 15:5 - General; Numbers 19:15 - General; 31:23 - ye shall make Verse 33 ye shall break it Leviticus 11:35, 14:45; Jeremiah 48:38; 2 Corinthians 5:1-8; Philippians 3:21 Reciprocal Leviticus 6:28 - General; 13:52 - burn; 15:12 - vessel Verse 34 Proverbs 15:8, 21:4, 21:27, 28:8; Titus 1:15
Verse 35 they shall be Leviticus 11:33, 6:28, 15:12; 2 Corinthians 5:1-7 Reciprocal Leviticus 13:52 - burn Verse 36 a fountain Zechariah 13:1; John 4:14 wherein there is plenty of waterHeb. a gathering together of waters
Verse 37 sowing seed 1 Corinthians 15:37; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 3:9, 5:18
Verse 38 Reciprocal Leviticus 11:24 - General Verse 39 Leviticus 11:24, 11:28, 11:31, 11:40, 15:5, 15:7; Numbers 19:11, 19:16 Reciprocal Leviticus 5:2 - touch; Ezekiel 4:14 - have I Verse 40 eateth Leviticus 11:25, 17:15, 17:16, 22:8; Exodus 22:31; Deuteronomy 14:21; Isaiah 1:16; Ezekiel 4:14, 36:25; 44:31; Zechariah 13:1; 1 Corinthians 6:11, 10:21; 1 John 1:7 shall wash Leviticus 11:28, 14:8, 14:9, 15:5-10, 15:27, 16:26, 16:28; Numbers 19:7, 19:8, 19:19 Reciprocal Leviticus 11:39 - General; 13:6 - wash; Numbers 19:21 - General; 1 Samuel 20:26 - he is not clean Verse 41 Leviticus 11:20, 11:23, 11:29 Reciprocal 7:18 - an abomination; 7:21 - abominable; 11:43 - Ye shall Verse 42 goeth upon the belly Genesis 3:14, 3:15; Isaiah 65:25; Micah 7:17; Matthew 3:7, 23:23; John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 11:3, 11:13; Titus 1:12 hath more feetHeb. doth multiply feetReciprocal Leviticus 7:21 - abominable; 11:29 - creeping things that creep; 11:43 - Ye shall; Ezekiel 8:10 - every; Mark 7:15 - nothing Verse 43 Ye shall Leviticus 11:41, 11:42, 20:25 yourselvesHeb. your soulsReciprocal 22:5 - whosoever; Deuteronomy 14:3 - General Verse 44 I am the Exodus 20:2 ye shall Leviticus 10:3, 19:2, 20:7, 20:26; Exodus 19:6; Deuteronomy 14:2; 1 Samuel 6:20; Psalm 99:5, 99:9; Isaiah 6:3-5; Amos 3:3; Matthew 5:48; 1 Thessalonians 4:7; 1 Peter 1:15, 1:16, 2:9; Revelation 22:11 Reciprocal Exodus 19:10 - sanctify; 29:46 - I am; Leviticus 11:45 - be holy; 18:2 - General; 21:8 - for I; 22:5 - whosoever; Numbers 15:40 - be holy; Ezekiel 20:7 - I am; Habakkuk 3:1 - partakers Verse 45 that bringeth Exodus 6:7; Psalm 105:43-45 be holy Leviticus 11:44; Exodus 6:7, 20:2; Psalm 105:43-45; Hosea 11:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:7 Reciprocal Exodus 19:6 - and an; 19:10 - sanctify; 22:31 - holy; Leviticus 19:2 - Ye shall; 21:8 - for I; 22:33 - General; 25:38 - and to be; Numbers 15:40 - be holy; Deuteronomy 14:2 - General; Psalm 114:2 - General; Isaiah 52:11 - touch; Daniel 1:8 - defile; Ephesians 5:1 - followers; Habakkuk 3:1 - partakers Verse 46 ThisThe distinction of clean and unclean animals - see note on Leviticus 11:2 existed even before the flood, though it probably then only related to sacrifices; but at this time we find there were very particular laws enacted respecting the diet of the people, and the ceremonial uncleanness contracted by touching the carcases of unclean animals. The reasons for the enactment of these laws seem to be:
1. As a test of obedience, and to teach the Israelites habits of self-denial, and the government of their appetites.
2. To keep them distinct from other nations, and consequently from their idolatrous usages, by throwing hindrances in the way of their social intercourse; for these distinctions were applicable both to persons and things. The Canaanites not only ate the animals prohibited by Moses, which we usually eat, but others also, among which dogs were one. Besides, many of those declared unclean were sacred among the heathen, and sacrificed to their gods.
3. Because those prohibited were innutritive and unwholesome; as the swine, the flesh of which being strong and difficult to digest, affords a very gross aliment, and produces, especially in hot climates, cutaneous, scrophulous, and scorbutic disorders, as the itch, leprosy, etc.
; 7:37, 14:54, 15:32; Ezekiel 43:12 Reciprocal Numbers 5:29 - the law; 30:16 - General; 36:13 - the commandments Verse 47 Leviticus 10:10; Ezekiel 44:23; Malachi 3:18; Romans 14:2, 14:3, 14:13-23 Reciprocal Leviticus 15:31 - Thus shall; Numbers 30:16 - General; Judges 13:4 - eat not; Isaiah 52:11 - touch; Ezekiel 1:7 - like the sole; 22:26 - put no; Acts 11:8 - unclean