1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth.
3 Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.
4 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.
5 And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
6 And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
7 And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be cloven-footed, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.
8 Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.
9 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.
10 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:
11 They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcasses in abomination.
12 Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.
13 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,
14 And the vulture, and the kite after his kind;
15 Every raven after his kind;
16 And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckoo, and the hawk after his kind,
17 And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl,
18 And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle,
19 And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.
20 All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be an abomination unto you.
21 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;
22 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.
23 But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you.
24 And for these ye shall be unclean: whosoever toucheth the carcass of them shall be unclean until the even.
25 And whosoever beareth ought of the carcass of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.
26 The carcasses of every beast which divideth the hoof, and is not cloven-footed, nor cheweth the cud, are unclean unto you: every one that toucheth them shall be unclean.
27 And whatsoever goeth upon his paws, among all manner of beasts that go on all four, those are unclean unto you: whoso toucheth their carcass shall be unclean until the even.
28 And he that beareth the carcass of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: they are unclean unto you.
29 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,
30 And the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole.
31 These are unclean to you among all that creep: whosoever doth touch them, when they be dead, shall be unclean until the even.
32 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.
33 And every earthen vessel, whereinto any of them falleth, whatsoever is in it shall be unclean; and ye shall break it.
34 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.
35 And every thing whereupon any part of their carcass 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.
36 Nevertheless a fountain or pit, wherein there is plenty of water, shall be clean: but that which toucheth their carcass shall be unclean.
37 And if any part of their carcass fall upon any sowing seed which is to be sown, it shall be clean.
38 But if any water be put upon the seed, and any part of their carcass fall thereon, it shall be unclean unto you.
39 And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die; he that toucheth the carcass thereof shall be unclean until the even.
40 And he that eateth of the carcass of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: he also that beareth the carcass of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.
41 And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten.
42 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.
43 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.
44 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.
45 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.
46 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:
47 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.
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
1 And Jehovah spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the living things which ye may eat among all the beasts that are on the earth.
3 Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, `and' cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that may ye eat.
4 Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that part the hoof: the camel, because he cheweth the cud but parteth not the hoof, he is unclean unto you.
5 And the coney, because he cheweth the cud but parteth not the hoof, he is unclean unto you.
6 And the hare, because she cheweth the cud but parteth not the hoof, she is unclean unto you.
7 And the swine, because he parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, but cheweth not the cud, he is unclean unto you.
8 Of their flesh ye shall not eat, and their carcasses ye shall not touch; they are unclean unto you.
9 These may ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, that may ye eat.
10 And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of all the living creatures that are in the waters, they are an abomination unto you,
11 and they shall be an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, and their carcasses ye shall have in abomination.
12 Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that is an abomination unto you.
13 And these ye shall have in abomination among the birds; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the gier-eagle, and the ospray,
14 and the kite, and the falcon after its kind,
15 every raven after its kind,
16 and the ostrich, and the night-hawk, and the seamew, and the hawk after its kind,
17 and the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl,
18 and the horned owl, and the pelican, and the vulture,
19 and the stork, the heron after its kind, and the hoopoe, and the bat.
20 All winged creeping things that go upon all fours are an abomination unto you.
21 Yet these may ye eat of all winged creeping things that go upon all fours, which have legs above their feet, wherewith to leap upon the earth.
22 Even these of them ye may eat: the locust after its kind, and the bald locust after its kind, and the cricket after its kind, and the grasshopper after its kind.
23 But all winged creeping things, which have four feet, are an abomination unto you.
24 And by these ye shall become unclean: whosoever toucheth the carcass of them shall be unclean until the even;
25 And whosoever beareth `aught' of the carcass of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.
26 Every beast which parteth the hoof, and is not clovenfooted, nor cheweth the cud, is unclean unto you: every one that toucheth them shall be unclean.
27 And whatsoever goeth upon its paws, among all beasts that go on all fours, they are unclean unto you: whoso toucheth their carcass shall be unclean until the even.
28 And he that beareth the carcass of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: they are unclean unto you.
29 And these are they which are unclean unto you among the creeping things that creep upon the earth: the weasel, and the mouse, and the great lizard after its kind,
30 and the gecko, and the land-crocodile, and the lizard, and the sand-lizard, and the chameleon.
31 These are they which are unclean to you among all that creep: whosoever doth touch them, when they are dead, shall be unclean until the even.
32 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, wherewith any work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the even; then shall it be clean.
33 And every earthen vessel, whereinto any of them falleth, whatsoever is in it shall be unclean, and it ye shall break.
34 All food `therein' which may be eaten, that on which water cometh, shall be unclean; and all drink that may be drunk in every `such' vessel shall be unclean.
35 And every thing whereupon `any part' of their carcass falleth shall be unclean; whether oven, or range for pots, it shall be broken in pieces: they are unclean, and shall be unclean unto you.
36 Nevertheless a fountain or a pit wherein is a gathering of water shall be clean: but that which toucheth their carcass shall be unclean.
37 And if `aught' of their carcass fall upon any sowing seed which is to be sown, it is clean.
38 But if water be put upon the seed, and `aught' of their carcass fall thereon, it is unclean unto you.
39 And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die; he that toucheth the carcass thereof shall be unclean until the even.
40 And he that eateth of the carcass of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: he also that beareth the carcass of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even.
41 And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth is an abomination; it shall not be eaten.
42 Whatsoever goeth upon the belly, and whatsoever goeth upon all fours, or whatsoever hath many feet, even all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they are an abomination.
43 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.
44 For I am Jehovah your God: sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that moveth upon the earth.
45 For I am Jehovah that brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
46 This is the law of the beast, and of the bird, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth;
47 to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the living thing that may be eaten and the living thing that may not be eaten.
1 And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying unto them,
2 `Speak unto the sons of Israel, saying, This `is' the beast which ye do eat out of all the beasts which `are' on the earth:
3 any dividing a hoof, and cleaving the cleft of the hoofs, bringing up the cud, among the beasts, it ye do eat.
4 `Only, this ye do not eat -- of those bringing up the cud, and of those dividing the hoof -- the camel, though it is bringing up the cud, yet the hoof not dividing -- it `is' unclean to you;
5 and the rabbit, though it is bringing up the cud, yet the hoof it divideth not -- unclean it `is' to you;
6 and the hare, though it is bringing up the cud, yet the hoof hath not divided -- unclean it `is' to you;
7 and the sow, though it is dividing the hoof, and cleaving the cleft of the hoof, yet the cud it bringeth not up -- unclean it `is' to you.
8 `Of their flesh ye do not eat, and against their carcase ye do not come -- unclean they `are' to you.
9 `This ye do eat of all which `are' in the waters; any one that hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the brooks, them ye do eat;
10 and any one that hath not fins and scales in the seas, and in the brooks, of any teeming creature of the waters, and of any creature which liveth, which `is' in the waters -- an abomination they `are' to you;
11 yea, an abomination they are to you; of their flesh ye do not eat, and their carcase ye abominate.
12 `Any one that hath not fins and scales in the waters -- an abomination it `is' to you.
13 `And these ye do abominate of the fowl; they are not eaten, an abomination they `are': the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,
14 and the vulture, and the kite after its kind,
15 every raven after its kind,
16 and the owl, and the night-hawk, and the cuckoo, and the hawk after its kind,
17 and the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl,
18 and the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle,
19 and the stork, the heron after its kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.
20 `Every teeming creature which is flying, which is going on four -- an abomination it `is' to you.
21 `Only -- this ye do eat of any teeming thing which is flying, which is going on four, which hath legs above its feet, to move with them on the earth;
22 these of them ye do eat: the locust after its kind, and the bald locust after its kind, and the beetle after its kind, and the grasshopper after its kind;
23 and every teeming thing which is flying, which hath four feet -- an abomination it `is' to you.
24 `And by these ye are made unclean, any one who is coming against their carcase is unclean till the evening;
25 and anyone who is lifting up `aught' of their carcase doth wash his garments, and hath been unclean till the evening: --
26 even every beast which is dividing the hoof, and is not cloven-footed, and the cud is not bringing up -- unclean they `are' to you; any one who is coming against them is unclean.
27 `And any one going on its paws, among all the beasts which are going on four -- unclean they `are' to you; any one who is coming against their carcase is unclean until the evening;
28 and he who is lifting up their carcase doth wash his garments, and hath been unclean until the evening -- unclean they `are' to you.
29 `And this `is' to you the unclean among the teeming things which are teeming on the earth: the weasel, and the mouse, and the tortoise after its kind,
30 and the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole;
31 these `are' the unclean to you among all which are teeming; any one who is coming against them in their death is unclean till the evening.
32 `And anything on which any one of them falleth, in their death, is unclean, of any vessel of wood or garment or skin or sack, any vessel in which work is done is brought into water, and hath been unclean till the evening, then it hath been clean;
33 and any earthen vessel, into the midst of which `any' one of them falleth, all that `is' in its midst is unclean, and it ye do break.
34 `Of all the food which is eaten, that on which cometh `such' water, is unclean, and all drink which is drunk in any `such' vessel is unclean;
35 and anything on which `any' of their carcase falleth is unclean (oven or double pots), it is broken down, unclean they `are', yea, unclean they are to you.
36 `Only -- a fountain or pit, a collection of water, is clean, but that which is coming against their carcase is unclean;
37 and when `any' of their carcase falleth on any sown seed which is sown -- it `is' clean;
38 and when water is put on the seed, and `any' of its carcase hath fallen on it -- unclean it `is' to you.
39 `And when any of the beasts which are to you for food dieth, he who is coming against its carcase is unclean till the evening;
40 and he who is eating of its carcase doth wash his garments, and hath been unclean till the evening; and he who is lifting up its carcase doth wash his garments, and hath been unclean till the evening.
41 `And every teeming thing which is teeming on the earth is an abomination, it is not eaten;
42 any thing going on the belly, and any going on four, unto every multiplier of feet, to every teeming thing which is teeming on the earth -- ye do not eat them, for they `are' an abomination;
43 ye do not make yourselves abominable with any teeming thing which is teeming, nor do ye make yourselves unclean with them, so that ye have been unclean thereby.
44 `For I `am' Jehovah your God, and ye have sanctified yourselves, and ye have been holy, for I `am' holy; and ye do not defile your persons with any teeming thing which is creeping on the earth;
45 for I `am' Jehovah who am bringing you up out of the land of Egypt to become your God; and ye have been holy, for I `am' holy.
46 `This `is' a law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature which is moving in the waters, and of every creature which is teeming on the earth,
47 to make separation between the unclean and the pure, and between the beast that is eaten, and the beast that is not eaten.'
1 And Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying to them,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the animals which ye shall eat of all the beasts which are on the earth.
3 Whatever hath cloven hoofs, and feet quite split open, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts -- that shall ye eat.
4 Only these shall ye not eat of those that chew the cud, or of those with cloven hoofs: the camel, for it cheweth the cud, but hath not cloven hoofs -- it shall be unclean unto you;
5 and the rock-badger, for it cheweth the cud, but hath not cloven hoofs -- it shall be unclean unto you;
6 and the hare, for it cheweth the cud, but hath not cloven hoofs -- it shall be unclean unto you;
7 and the swine, for it hath cloven hoofs, and feet quite split open, but it cheweth not the cud -- it shall be unclean unto you.
8 Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch: they shall be unclean unto you.
9 These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatever hath fins and scales in waters, in seas and in rivers, these shall ye eat;
10 but all that have not fins and scales in seas and in rivers, of all that swarm in the waters, and of every living soul which is in the waters -- they shall be an abomination unto you.
11 They shall be even an abomination unto you: of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase ye shall have in abomination.
12 Whatever in the waters hath no fins and scales, that shall be an abomination unto you.
13 And these shall ye have in abomination of the fowls; they shall not be eaten; an abomination shall they be: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the sea-eagle,
14 and the falcon, and the kite, after its kind;
15 every raven after its kind;
16 and the female ostrich and the male ostrich, and the sea-gull, and the hawk, after its kind;
17 and the owl, and the gannet, and the ibis,
18 and the swan, and the pelican, and the carrion vulture,
19 and the stork; the heron after its kind, and the hoopoe, and the bat.
20 Every winged crawling thing that goeth upon all four shall be an abomination unto you.
21 Yet these shall ye eat of every winged crawling thing that goeth upon all four: those which have legs above their feet with which to leap upon the earth.
22 These shall ye eat of them: the arbeh after its kind, and the solam after its kind, and the hargol after its kind, and the hargab after its kind.
23 But every winged crawling thing that hath four feet shall be an abomination unto you.
24 And by these ye shall make yourselves unclean; whoever toucheth their carcase shall be unclean until the even.
25 And whoever carrieth [ought] of their carcase shall wash his garments, and be unclean until the even.
26 Every beast that hath cloven hoofs, but not feet quite split open, nor cheweth the cud, shall be unclean unto you: every one that toucheth them shall be unclean.
27 And whatever goeth on its paws, among all manner of beasts that go upon all four, those are unclean unto you: whoever toucheth their carcase shall be unclean until the even.
28 And he that carrieth their carcase shall wash his garments, and be unclean until the even: they shall be unclean unto you.
29 And these shall be unclean unto you among the crawling things which crawl on the earth: the mole, and the field-mouse, and the lizard, after its kind;
30 and the groaning lizard, and the great red lizard, and the climbing lizard, and the chomet, and the chameleon.
31 These shall be unclean unto you among all that crawl: whoever toucheth them when they are dead, shall be unclean until the even.
32 And on whatever any of them when they are dead doth fall, it shall be unclean; all vessels of wood, or garment, or skin, or sack, every vessel wherewith work is done -- it shall be put into water, and be unclean until the even; then shall it be clean.
33 And every earthen vessel into which [any] of them falleth -- whatever is in it shall be unclean; and ye shall break it.
34 All food that is eaten on which [such] water hath come shall be unclean; and all drink that is drunk shall be unclean, in every [such] vessel.
35 And everything where upon [any part] of their carcase falleth shall be unclean; oven and hearth shall be broken down: they are unclean, and shall be unclean unto you.
36 Nevertheless, a spring or a well, a quantity of water, shall be clean. But he that toucheth their carcase shall be unclean.
37 And if any part of their carcase fall upon any sowing-seed which is to be sown, it shall be clean;
38 but if water have been put on the seed, and any part of their carcase fall thereon, it shall be unclean unto you.
39 And if any beast which is to you for food die, he that toucheth the carcase thereof shall be unclean until the even.
40 And he that eateth of its carcase shall wash his garments, and be unclean until the even: he also that carrieth its carcase shall wash his garments, and be unclean until the even.
41 And every crawling thing which crawleth on the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten.
42 Whatever goeth on the belly, and whatever goeth on all four, and all that have a great many feet, of every manner of crawling thing which crawleth on the earth -- these ye shall not eat; for they are an abomination.
43 Ye shall not make yourselves abominable through any crawling thing which crawleth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby.
44 For I am Jehovah your God; and ye shall hallow yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy; and ye shall not make yourselves unclean through any manner of crawling thing which creepeth on the earth.
45 For I am Jehovah who brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
46 This is the law of cattle, and of fowl, and of every living soul that moveth in the waters, and of every soul that crawleth on the earth;
47 to make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that is to be eaten and the beast that is not to be eaten.
1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying to them,
2 "Speak to the children of Israel, saying, 'These are the living things which you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth.
3 Whatever parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and chews the cud among the animals, that you may eat.
4 "'Nevertheless these you shall not eat of those that chew the cud, or of those who part the hoof: the camel, because he chews the cud but doesn't have a parted hoof, he is unclean to you.
5 The coney, because he chews the cud but doesn't have a parted hoof, he is unclean to you.
6 The hare, because she chews the cud but doesn't part the hoof, she is unclean to you.
7 The pig, because he has a split hoof, and is cloven-footed, but doesn't chew the cud, he is unclean to you.
8 Of their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch; they are unclean to you.
9 These you may eat of all that are in the waters: whatever has fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, that you may eat.
10 All that don't have fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of all the living creatures that are in the waters, they are an abomination to you,
11 and you detest them. You shall not eat of their flesh, and you shall detest their carcasses.
12 Whatever has no fins nor scales in the waters, that is an abomination to you.
13 "'These you shall detest among the birds; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the vulture, and the black vulture,
14 and the red kite, any kind of black kite,
15 any kind of raven,
16 the horned owl, the screech owl, and the gull, any kind of hawk,
17 the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl,
18 the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey,
19 the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat.
20 "'All flying insects that walk on all fours are an abomination to you.
21 Yet you may eat these: of all winged creeping things that go on all fours, which have legs above their feet, with which to hop on the earth.
22 Even of these you may eat: any kind of locust, any kind of katydid, any kind of cricket, and any kind of grasshopper.
23 But all winged creeping things which have four feet, are an abomination to you.
24 "'By these you will become unclean: whoever touches the carcass of them shall be unclean until the evening.
25 Whoever carries any part of their carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening.
26 "'Every animal which parts the hoof, and is not cloven-footed, nor chews the cud, is unclean to you. Everyone who touches them shall be unclean.
27 Whatever goes on its paws, among all animals that go on all fours, they are unclean to you. Whoever touches their carcass shall be unclean until the evening.
28 He who carries their carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening. They are unclean to you.
29 "'These are they which are unclean to you among the creeping things that creep on the earth: the weasel, the rat, any kind of great lizard,
30 the gecko, and the monitor lizard, the wall lizard, the skink, and the chameleon.
31 These are they which are unclean to you among all that creep. Whoever touches them when they are dead, shall be unclean until the evening.
32 On whatever any of them falls when they are dead, it shall be unclean; whether it is any vessel of wood, or clothing, or skin, or sack, whatever vessel it is, with which any work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the evening; then it will be clean.
33 Every earthen vessel, into which any of them falls, all that is in it shall be unclean, and you shall break it.
34 All food which may be eaten, that on which water comes, shall be unclean; and all drink that may be drunk in every such vessel shall be unclean.
35 Everything whereupon part of their carcass falls shall be unclean; whether oven, or range for pots, it shall be broken in pieces: they are unclean, and shall be unclean to you.
36 Nevertheless a spring or a cistern in which water is a gathered shall be clean: but that which touches their carcass shall be unclean.
37 If part of their carcass falls on any sowing seed which is to be sown, it is clean.
38 But if water is put on the seed, and part of their carcass falls on it, it is unclean to you.
39 "'If any animal, of which you may eat, dies; he who touches its carcass shall be unclean until the evening.
40 He who eats of its carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening. He also who carries its carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening.
41 "'Every creeping thing that creeps on the earth is an abomination. It shall not be eaten.
42 Whatever goes on its belly, and whatever goes on all fours, or whatever has many feet, even all creeping things that creep on the earth, them you shall not eat; for they are an abomination.
43 You shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creeps, neither shall you make yourselves unclean with them, that you should be defiled thereby.
44 For I am Yahweh your God. Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy: neither shall you defile yourselves with any kind of creeping thing that moves on the earth.
45 For I am Yahweh who brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.
46 "'This is the law of the animal, and of the bird, and of every living creature that moves in the waters, and of every creature that creeps on the earth,
47 to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the living thing that may be eaten and the living thing that may not be eaten.'"
1 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron,
2 Say to the children of Israel: These are the living things which you may have for food among all the beasts on the earth.
3 You may have as food any beast which has a division in the horn of its foot, and whose food comes back into its mouth to be crushed again.
4 But, at the same time, of those beasts, you may not take for food the camel, because its food comes back but the horn of its foot is not parted in two; it is unclean to you.
5 And the rock-badger, for the same reason, is unclean to you.
6 And the hare, because the horn of its foot is not parted in two, is unclean to you.
7 And the pig is unclean to you, because though the horn of its foot is parted, its food does not come back.
8 Their flesh may not be used for food, and their dead bodies may not even be touched; they are unclean to you.
9 These you may have for food of all things living in the water: anything living in the water, in the seas or rivers, which has special parts for swimming and skin formed of thin plates, may be used for food.
10 All other things living and moving in the water, in the sea or in the rivers, are a disgusting thing to you;
11 They may not be used for food, and their dead bodies are disgusting to you.
12 Anything in the water which has no special parts for swimming and no thin plates on its skin is disgusting to you.
13 And among birds these are to be disgusting to you, and not to be used for food: the eagle and the gier-eagle and the ospray;
14 And the kite and the falcon, and birds of that sort;
15 Every raven, and birds of that sort;
16 And the ostrich and the night-hawk and the sea-hawk, and birds of that sort;
17 And the little owl and the cormorant and the great owl;
18 And the water-hen and the pelican and the vulture;
19 The stork and the heron, and birds of that sort, and the hoopoe and the bat.
20 Every winged four-footed thing which goes on the earth is disgusting to you;
21 But of the winged four-footed things, those which have long legs for jumping on the earth you may have for food;
22 Such as all the different sorts of locust.
23 But all other winged four-footed things which go on the earth are disgusting to you.
24 By these you will be made unclean; anyone touching their dead bodies will be unclean till evening:
25 Whoever takes away the dead body of one of them is to have his clothing washed, and will be unclean till evening.
26 Every beast, in the horn of whose foot there is not a complete division, and whose food does not come back, is unclean to you: anyone touching one of these will be unclean.
27 Any four-footed beast which goes on the ball of its foot, is unclean to you: anyone touching the dead body of one of these will be unclean till evening.
28 Anyone who takes away the dead body of one of these is to have his clothing washed and be unclean till evening.
29 And these are unclean to you among things which go low down on the earth; the weasel and the mouse and the great lizard, and animals of that sort;
30 And the ferret and the land crocodile and the lizard and the sand-lizard and the chameleon.
31 All these are unclean to you: anyone touching them when they are dead will be unclean till evening.
32 The dead body of any of these, falling on anything, will make that thing unclean; if it is any vessel of wood, or clothing, or skin, or bag, whatever it is, if it is used for any purpose, it will have to be put into water, and will be unclean till evening; after that it will be clean.
33 And if one of them gets into any vessel of earth, whatever is in the vessel will be unclean and the vessel will have to be broken.
34 Any food in it, and anything on which water from it comes, will be unclean: any drink taken from such a vessel will be unclean.
35 Any part of the dead body of one of these, falling on anything, will make it unclean; if it is an oven or a cooking-pot it will have to be broken: they are unclean and will be unclean to you.
36 But at the same time a fountain or a place where water is stored for use will be clean; but anyone touching their dead bodies will be unclean.
37 If any part of the dead body of one of these gets on to any seed for planting, it is clean;
38 But if water is put on the seed, and any part of the dead body gets on to it, it will be unclean to you.
39 And if any beast which may be used for food comes to a natural death, anyone touching its dead body will be unclean till evening.
40 And he who makes use of any part of its body for food is to have his clothing washed and be unclean till evening; and anyone taking away its body is to have his clothing washed and be unclean till evening.
41 Everything which goes flat on its body on the earth is disgusting, and is not to be used for food.
42 Whatever goes on its stomach or on four feet or has a great number of feet, even all those going flat on the earth, may not be used for food, for they are disgusting.
43 You are not to make yourselves disgusting with anything which goes about flat on the earth; you may not make yourselves unclean with them, in such a way that you are not holy to me.
44 For I am the Lord your God: for this reason, make and keep yourselves holy, for I am holy; you are not to make yourselves unclean with any sort of thing which goes about flat on the earth.
45 For I am the Lord, who took you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God; so be you holy, for I am holy.
46 This is the law about beasts and birds and every living thing moving in the waters, and every living thing which goes flat on the earth:
47 Marking out the unclean from the clean, and the living thing which may be used for food from that which may not.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Leviticus 11
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.