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 1ReciprocalGenesis 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 2Deuteronomy 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.ReciprocalLeviticus 11:46 - This; Deuteronomy 14:4 - General; Isaiah 66:17 - behind one tree in the midst; Colossians 2:16 - in meat
Verse 3partethPsalm 1:1; Proverbs 9:6; 2 Corinthians 6:17 chewethDeuteronomy 6:6, 6:7, 16:3-8; Psalm 1:2; Proverbs 2:1, 2:2, 2:10; Acts 17:11; 1 Timothy 4:15ReciprocalEzekiel 1:7 - like the sole Verse 4unclean unto youGenesis 7:1, 7:2; Deuteronomy 14:1-29; Isaiah 52:11; 1 Corinthians 8:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; 1 John 3:4

Verse 5the 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 dividethJob 36:14; Matthew 7:26; Romans 2:18-24; Philippians 3:18, 3:19; 2 Timothy 3:5; Titus 1:16

Verse 6the hareDeuteronomy 14:7

Verse 7swineDeuteronomy 14:8; Isaiah 65:4, 66:3, 66:17; Matthew 7:6; Luke 8:33, 15:15; 2 Peter 2:18-22ReciprocalMatthew 8:30 - an; Mark 5:11 - herd; Luke 8:32 - there an Verse 8they are uncleanLeviticus 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 3:1ReciprocalLeviticus 11:24 - General; 11:31 - General; Mark 5:11 - herd Verse 9Deuteronomy 14:9, 14:10; Acts 20:21; Galatians 5:6; James 2:18; 1 John 5:2-5

Verse 10they shall beLeviticus 7:18; Deuteronomy 14:3; Psalm 139:21, 139:22; Proverbs 13:20, 29:27; Revelation 21:8ReciprocalLeviticus 7:21 - abominable; Ezekiel 8:10 - every Verse 11ReciprocalLeviticus 7:18 - an abomination Verse 12ReciprocalExodus 8:6 - and the frogs; Numbers 19:11 - toucheth the dead Verse 13the 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.ReciprocalRevelation 18:2 - become
Verse 14ReciprocalLeviticus 11:28 - shall wash; Deuteronomy 14:13 - the glede Verse 15Genesis 8:7; 1 Kings 17:4, 17:6; Proverbs 30:17; Luke 12:24

Verse 16Deuteronomy 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 19batIsaiah 2:20, 66:17ReciprocalJob 39:13 - wings and feathers unto the; Psalm 104:17 - as for Verse 20Leviticus 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, 1:19ReciprocalLeviticus 7:21 - abominable; 11:29 - creeping things that creep; 11:41 - General Verse 21ReciprocalLeviticus 11:29 - creeping things that creep Verse 22Exodus 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 23ReciprocalLeviticus 11:20 - General; 11:27 - General; 11:41 - General Verse 24Leviticus 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 1:7ReciprocalLeviticus 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 25and be uncleanLeviticus 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 7:14ReciprocalLeviticus 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 26ReciprocalDeuteronomy 14:8 - touch; Isaiah 52:11 - touch Verse 27Leviticus 11:20, 11:23Reciprocal11:24 - 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 28bearethLeviticus 11:24, 11:25 shall wash11:14Reciprocal5:2 - touch; 11:39 - General; 11:40 - shall wash; 13:6 - wash; 14:46 - shall be unclean; 15:5 - General Verse 29creeping things that creepLeviticus 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 3:1ReciprocalEzekiel 8:10 - every Verse 31Leviticus 11:8, 11:24, 11:25Reciprocal5:2 - touch; 11:39 - General; Numbers 19:11 - toucheth the dead; 1 Samuel 20:26 - he is not clean Verse 32it must be put into waterLeviticus 6:28, 15:12; Titus 2:14, 3:5ReciprocalLeviticus 6:27 - wash; 15:5 - General; Numbers 19:15 - General; 31:23 - ye shall make Verse 33ye shall break itLeviticus 11:35, 14:45; Jeremiah 48:38; 2 Corinthians 5:1-8; Philippians 3:21ReciprocalLeviticus 6:28 - General; 13:52 - burn; 15:12 - vessel Verse 34Proverbs 15:8, 21:4, 21:27, 28:8; Titus 1:15

Verse 35they shall beLeviticus 11:33, 6:28, 15:12; 2 Corinthians 5:1-7ReciprocalLeviticus 13:52 - burn Verse 36a fountainZechariah 13:1; John 4:14 wherein there is plenty of waterHeb. a gathering together of waters

Verse 37sowing seed1 Corinthians 15:37; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 3:9, 5:18

Verse 38ReciprocalLeviticus 11:24 - General Verse 39Leviticus 11:24, 11:28, 11:31, 11:40, 15:5, 15:7; Numbers 19:11, 19:16ReciprocalLeviticus 5:2 - touch; Ezekiel 4:14 - have I Verse 40eatethLeviticus 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 washLeviticus 11:28, 14:8, 14:9, 15:5-10, 15:27, 16:26, 16:28; Numbers 19:7, 19:8, 19:19ReciprocalLeviticus 11:39 - General; 13:6 - wash; Numbers 19:21 - General; 1 Samuel 20:26 - he is not clean Verse 41Leviticus 11:20, 11:23, 11:29Reciprocal7:18 - an abomination; 7:21 - abominable; 11:43 - Ye shall Verse 42goeth upon the bellyGenesis 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 feetReciprocalLeviticus 7:21 - abominable; 11:29 - creeping things that creep; 11:43 - Ye shall; Ezekiel 8:10 - every; Mark 7:15 - nothing Verse 43Ye shallLeviticus 11:41, 11:42, 20:25 yourselvesHeb. your soulsReciprocal22:5 - whosoever; Deuteronomy 14:3 - General Verse 44I am theExodus 20:2 ye shallLeviticus 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 22:11ReciprocalExodus 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 45that bringethExodus 6:7; Psalm 105:43-45 be holyLeviticus 11:44; Exodus 6:7, 20:2; Psalm 105:43-45; Hosea 11:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:7ReciprocalExodus 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 46ThisThe 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 43:12ReciprocalNumbers 5:29 - the law; 30:16 - General; 36:13 - the commandments
Verse 47Leviticus 10:10; Ezekiel 44:23; Malachi 3:18; Romans 14:2, 14:3, 14:13-23ReciprocalLeviticus 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