Leviticus Chapter 11
Showing all 47 verses for Leviticus Chapter 11.
The People's Bible is written by people, for the people. Each verse below shows:
"And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them, "
"The LORD spoke to both Moses and Aaron together, giving them a message to deliver."
God spoke to both Moses and Aaron together about something as ordinary as food - showing that His care reaches into the everyday details of life, not just the dramatic moments. Jesus calls you to trust that nothing in your daily routine is too small for God to care about.
"Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth. "
"Tell the Israelites this: out of every kind of animal on earth, here are the ones you're allowed to eat."
Israel was given clear categories for what to eat, helping an entire nation build habits of thoughtful, deliberate living rather than eating whatever came to hand. Jesus calls you to bring that same thoughtfulness to your daily choices, treating even ordinary decisions as an opportunity to live with intention.
"Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat. "
"You may eat any land animal that has a properly split hoof and also chews the cud."
This simple rule of hoof and cud gave people an easy, teachable way to make daily decisions without needing an expert's judgement each time. Jesus calls you to build simple, clear habits in your own life that help you live well without agonising over every small decision.
"Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. "
"But don't eat the camel - even though it chews the cud, its hoof isn't properly split, so it's off the list."
The camel was excluded despite meeting one criterion, because true discernment looks at the whole picture, not just a single convenient sign. Jesus calls you to judge situations and people by looking honestly at the whole truth, not by seizing on the one detail that suits what you already want to believe.
"And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. "
"The rock hyrax (an animal like a large guinea pig) is also off the list - it chews the cud but doesn't have a split hoof."
The coney, too, was set apart as unclean under this same careful reasoning, showing consistency in how the standard was applied to every creature alike. Jesus calls you to be consistent and fair in how you apply your own standards, not bending them depending on who or what is in front of you.
"And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. "
"The hare is also unclean - it chews the cud but its hoof isn't split."
The hare fell under the same reasoning again, a small repetition that builds trust through consistency rather than exceptions made case by case. Jesus calls you to be someone whose word and standards can be relied on, predictable in your integrity rather than swayed by circumstance.
"And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. "
"The pig is unclean too - it does have a properly split hoof, but it doesn't chew the cud."
The pig, though it met the other criterion, was excluded too - a reminder that meeting one test isn't the same as meeting the whole standard. Jesus calls you to examine your own life honestly rather than settling for partial faithfulness while calling it complete.
"Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you. "
"Don't eat their meat, and don't even touch their dead bodies - they are unclean to you."
The people were told not even to touch the carcase of these excluded animals, a boundary meant to shape daily habits of care and attentiveness. Jesus calls you to build healthy boundaries in your own life, not as fear, but as loving wisdom that protects you and those you care for.
"These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat. "
"Of everything living in the water - seas and rivers alike - you may eat anything that has fins and scales."
Fish with fins and scales were given as good and proper food, showing that God's provision includes real, tangible goodness, not only restriction. Jesus calls you to notice and enjoy the good things God provides, receiving them with gratitude rather than suspicion.
"And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you: "
"But anything living in the water that doesn't have fins and scales - whatever moves in the seas or rivers - you are to regard as detestable."
Creatures without fins and scales were set apart as unfit to eat, part of a broader pattern helping Israel see order and distinction even in daily meals. Jesus calls you to appreciate that God brings order out of what could otherwise feel arbitrary, trusting His wisdom even when you don't fully see the reason.
"They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination. "
"They are to be regarded as detestable to you: you must not eat their meat, and you are to regard their dead bodies as detestable."
These creatures were to be avoided both as food and even in their remains, underlining that some boundaries in life are worth taking seriously rather than treating casually. Jesus calls you to take seriously the boundaries that protect your wellbeing, rather than testing how close to the edge you can go.
"Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you. "
"Anything in the water without fins and scales is to be regarded as detestable to you."
The same rule about fins and scales was repeated here, reinforcing that consistent standards matter more than novelty in every new situation. Jesus calls you to let your convictions hold steady across different circumstances, rather than reinventing your standards every time.
"And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray, "
"These are the birds you are to regard as detestable and must not eat: the eagle, the bearded vulture, and the black vulture,"
Certain birds of prey were named as unfit to eat, animals that typically feed on the dead and the vulnerable. Jesus calls you to notice what you feed on in life - the habits, media, and attitudes you consume - and to choose what nourishes rather than what merely scavenges.
"And the vulture, and the kite after his kind; "
"the red kite and the black kite, of any kind,"
The vulture and kite, birds associated with death and decay, were excluded from the table - a picture of turning away from what feeds on loss and ruin. Jesus calls you to turn away from dwelling on others' downfall, choosing instead to hope and build up rather than circle what's broken.
"Every raven after his kind; "
"every raven, of any kind,"
The raven, too, was excluded, yet elsewhere in Scripture God still feeds ravens and even used them to feed His prophet - showing that being outside one category never puts a creature outside God's care. Jesus calls you to trust that even when you feel set apart or on the outside, you are never outside God's attentive love.
"And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind, "
"the ostrich, the nighthawk, the seagull, and the hawk, of any kind,"
Owls and hawks, birds of the night and of the hunt, were named among those to avoid, a picture of steering away from a predatory way of relating to others. Jesus calls you to relate to people with gentleness rather than treating them as prey to be used for your own advantage.
"And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl, "
"the little owl, the cormorant, and the great owl,"
More birds are added to this list, and the sheer detail shows how thoroughly God cared about shaping Israel's everyday habits, down to the smallest choice. Jesus calls you to trust that God's attention to your life is just as thorough and detailed, even in matters that feel small.
"And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle, "
"the white owl, the desert owl, and the osprey,"
The list continues with more birds unsuited for food, part of a pattern that asked Israel to trust God's wisdom even where the exact reasoning for each item wasn't spelled out. Jesus calls you to extend that same trust to Him today, believing His guidance is wise even when you can't see every reason behind it.
"And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat. "
"the stork, the heron of any kind, the hoopoe, and the bat."
The bat appears here too, grouped among the birds by ancient categories rather than modern biological ones - a reminder that this list reflects its own time and culture, not a science textbook. Jesus calls you to read Scripture with humility about its context, focusing on the enduring heart-principle rather than getting stuck on incidental details.
"All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be an abomination unto you. "
"Every flying insect that walks on all fours is to be regarded as detestable to you."
Flying creatures that go on all fours were considered unfit, part of a broader pattern of distinguishing categories carefully. Jesus calls you to bring careful, honest thinking to your own decisions rather than lumping everything together without discernment.
"Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth; "
"The exception is any flying insect that walks on all fours but also has jointed back legs for hopping along the ground."
Even within a broadly excluded category, an exception was made for creatures with legs for leaping - showing this system had room for careful nuance, not blunt, one-size-fits-all rules. Jesus calls you to treat people and situations with that same careful nuance, resisting the urge to judge everyone in a category the exact same way.
"Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind. "
"So of these you may eat: locusts, bald locusts, crickets, and grasshoppers, of any kind."
Locusts and similar creatures were specifically permitted as food, including for John the Baptist later in Scripture - showing provision even in the wilderness, in what might seem like meagre options. Jesus calls you to trust that God provides for you even in seasons that feel sparse or difficult.
"But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you. "
"But every other flying insect that has four feet is to be regarded as detestable to you."
Other flying, four-footed creeping things were excluded, continuing this careful pattern of distinction meant to shape daily awareness. Jesus calls you to stay alert and thoughtful in your choices rather than drifting through life on autopilot.
"And for these ye shall be unclean: whosoever toucheth the carcase of them shall be unclean until the even. "
"You will become unclean because of these animals: anyone who touches their dead bodies will be unclean until evening."
Touching certain carcases brought temporary uncleanness until evening - a manageable, everyday consequence rather than a permanent condemnation. Jesus calls you to know that even when you stumble, restoration is near and available, not some distant, unreachable thing.
"And whosoever beareth ought of the carcase of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even. "
"And anyone who picks up or carries their dead bodies must wash their clothes, and will be unclean until evening."
Carrying such a carcase required washing clothes, a small practical act of taking responsibility for what you've come into contact with. Jesus calls you to take honest responsibility for your own choices and their effects, rather than shrugging them off.
"The carcases of every beast which divideth the hoof, and is not clovenfooted, nor cheweth the cud, are unclean unto you: every one that toucheth them shall be unclean. "
"Every land animal that has a hoof but not a properly split one, or doesn't chew the cud, is unclean to you: anyone who touches them becomes unclean."
Animals not meeting the full criteria brought uncleanness through contact, another reminder that partial qualification isn't full qualification. Jesus calls you to pursue wholehearted faithfulness rather than settling for partial effort and calling it enough.
"And whatsoever goeth upon his paws, among all manner of beasts that go on all four, those are unclean unto you: whoso toucheth their carcase shall be unclean until the even. "
"Whatever walks on its paws, among the animals that go on all fours, is unclean to you: whoever touches their dead body will be unclean until evening."
Animals that walk on paws brought uncleanness through touch, continuing this careful, detailed system. Jesus calls you to trust that even seemingly small, detailed matters of daily life mattered to God then, and your daily details matter to Him now too.
"And he that beareth the carcase of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: they are unclean unto you. "
"And whoever carries their dead body must wash their clothes, and will be unclean until evening: they are unclean to you."
Again, washing clothes was required after contact - a repeated, ordinary act of care that kept the community's habits consistent and mindful. Jesus calls you to build consistent habits of care in your own life, small routines that keep you mindful of what matters.
"These also shall be unclean unto you among the creeping things that creep upon the earth; the weasel, and the mouse, and the tortoise after his kind, "
"Among the small creatures that move along the ground, these are unclean to you: the weasel, the mouse, and any kind of large lizard,"
Small creeping creatures like the weasel and mouse were named unclean, a category covering the small, easily overlooked things underfoot. Jesus calls you to pay attention to the small compromises in your life too, not only the big obvious ones, since small things shape you over time.
"And the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole. "
"the gecko, the monitor lizard, the wall lizard, the skink, and the chameleon."
More small creatures are listed here, reflecting a thorough concern for even the least significant-seeming corners of daily life. Jesus calls you to trust that God's care for you extends into every corner of your life, however small or hidden it seems.
"These are unclean to you among all that creep: whosoever doth touch them, when they be dead, shall be unclean until the even. "
"These are unclean to you among all the small creatures: whoever touches them once they are dead will be unclean until evening."
Contact with these creatures once dead brought temporary uncleanness, again resolved simply by evening - manageable, not catastrophic. Jesus calls you to remember that setbacks in your own life are rarely as permanent or catastrophic as they feel in the moment.
"And upon whatsoever any of them, when they are dead, doth fall, it shall be unclean; whether it be any vessel of wood, or raiment, or skin, or sack, whatsoever vessel it be, wherein any work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the even; so it shall be cleansed. "
"If any of these dead creatures falls on something, that object becomes unclean - whether it's something made of wood, cloth, leather, or sackcloth. Whatever the item's normal use, it must be put in water, and it stays unclean until evening; after that, it is clean."
Items touched by these carcases needed to be washed to be made clean again - showing that what's been affected can be restored through the right process, not simply discarded. Jesus calls you to trust that you, too, can be washed clean and restored, not thrown away because of what's touched your life.
"And every earthen vessel, whereinto any of them falleth, whatsoever is in it shall be unclean; and ye shall break it. "
"And if one of these creatures falls into a clay pot, everything inside it becomes unclean, and you must break the pot."
An earthen vessel that became contaminated in this way was to be broken rather than reused, since its porous material couldn't be properly cleaned - practical wisdom about knowing what can be restored and what needs to be let go. Jesus calls you to have the wisdom to know when to persevere with something and when it's healthiest to let it go.
"Of all meat which may be eaten, that on which such water cometh shall be unclean: and all drink that may be drunk in every such vessel shall be unclean. "
"Any food that gets wet from such a vessel becomes unclean, and any drink from that vessel becomes unclean too."
Food or drink affected by contaminated water became unclean too, showing how connected our choices and environments really are to one another. Jesus calls you to notice how the situations and company you keep can affect you, and to choose wisely what you let into your life.
"And every thing whereupon any part of their carcase falleth shall be unclean; whether it be oven, or ranges for pots, they shall be broken down: for they are unclean, and shall be unclean unto you. "
"Anything that a piece of one of these dead creatures falls on becomes unclean - even a clay oven or stove must be broken down; they are unclean, and stay unclean to you."
Ovens and cooking equipment affected this way were to be broken down, showing that some things genuinely need to be dismantled and started fresh rather than patched over. Jesus calls you to be willing to make a real fresh start where needed, rather than clinging to something that's become compromised.
"Nevertheless a fountain or pit, wherein there is plenty of water, shall be clean: but that which toucheth their carcase shall be unclean. "
"However, a spring or a cistern holding a good supply of water stays clean - though whatever actually touches the carcase within it still becomes unclean."
A flowing spring or a plentiful well stayed clean despite contact with a carcase, because moving, abundant water has a kind of resilience still water doesn't. Jesus calls you to be like living water yourself - resilient, life-giving, not easily contaminated by what touches your life because you're continually renewed at the source.
"And if any part of their carcase fall upon any sowing seed which is to be sown, it shall be clean. "
"And if part of one of these carcases falls on dry seed that is meant for planting, the seed remains clean."
Seed for future sowing stayed clean even after contact with a carcase, since dry seed wasn't vulnerable the way wet, active substances were - practical wisdom distinguishing real risk from a technicality. Jesus calls you to use wisdom and proportion in judging situations, rather than treating every technical contact as equally serious.
"But if any water be put upon the seed, and any part of their carcase fall thereon, it shall be unclean unto you. "
"But if water has been put on the seed and then a carcase falls on it, the seed becomes unclean to you."
But once water was added and the seed became wet and active, contact did make it unclean - showing that context changes real vulnerability. Jesus calls you to notice how circumstances change your own vulnerability to compromise, and to be wiser and more careful at the moments you're most exposed.
"And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die; he that toucheth the carcase thereof shall be unclean until the even. "
"If an animal you are allowed to eat dies naturally, anyone who touches its dead body will be unclean until evening."
Even a normally clean animal, if it died of itself, brought temporary uncleanness through contact - a reminder that death itself, even among the ordinarily good, still needed to be treated with care and seriousness. Jesus calls you to hold loss and death with appropriate gravity, not brushing past it too quickly.
"And he that eateth of the carcase of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: he also that beareth the carcase of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even. "
"And whoever eats any of its meat must wash their clothes and will be unclean until evening; whoever carries its body must also wash their clothes and be unclean until evening."
Both eating and carrying such a carcase required washing - the same standard applied evenly, whatever your particular involvement had been. Jesus calls you to hold yourself to consistent standards, whatever your particular role or excuse might be in a given situation.
"And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten. "
"Every small creature that moves along the ground is to be regarded as detestable; it must not be eaten."
Creeping things in general were named unfit to eat, part of the wider pattern setting Israel's diet apart from the surrounding nations. Jesus calls you to let your own life be visibly different in good ways, marked by love and integrity that others can notice.
"Whatsoever goeth upon the belly, and whatsoever goeth upon all four, or whatsoever hath more feet among all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they are an abomination. "
"Whether it moves on its belly, walks on all fours, or has many legs - any small creature that moves along the ground - you must not eat it, because it is detestable."
Creatures that go on the belly or have many feet were called an abomination to eat, continuing the theme of careful, deliberate distinction rather than eating indiscriminately. Jesus calls you to bring the same deliberate care to every area of your life, choosing thoughtfully rather than indiscriminately.
"Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby. "
"Do not make yourselves detestable with any small creature that moves; do not make yourselves unclean with them, or let yourselves be defiled by them."
The people were told plainly not to make themselves abominable or defiled by these creatures - the responsibility for staying clean rested with their own choices, not fate. Jesus calls you to take ownership of your own choices, trusting that you have real agency in how you live, not that you're simply carried along by circumstance.
"For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. "
"For I am the LORD your God: therefore set yourselves apart and be holy, because I am holy - do not defile yourselves with any small creature that moves along the ground."
God ties holiness directly to His own character, not to arbitrary rules - He is holy, so His people are called to reflect that same set-apart goodness in ordinary life. Jesus calls you to let your identity as someone loved by a holy God shape your everyday choices, not out of fear, but out of wanting to reflect the One who made you His own.
"For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. "
"For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God: therefore be holy, for I am holy."
God grounds this call to holiness in what He'd already done - bringing them up out of Egypt - so obedience flows from gratitude for rescue already given, not from earning favour. Jesus calls you to let your own obedience flow from gratitude for the rescue He's already accomplished for you, not from fear of losing His love.
"This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth: "
"This is the law regarding land animals, birds, every living creature that moves in the water, and every creature that moves along the ground:"
This whole detailed law is summarised simply as guidance about living creatures - showing that even a long, complex set of rules had a clear, unified purpose behind it. Jesus calls you to look past complexity to the simple heart of what God wants from you: love, reverence, and thoughtful living.
"To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten. "
"...to make a clear distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between living creatures that may be eaten and those that may not."
The entire chapter is summed up as teaching Israel to make a difference between the unclean and the clean - training in careful discernment as a way of life. Jesus calls you to grow in wise discernment yourself, not to judge others harshly, but so you can walk your own path with clarity and integrity.