Leviticus 11 explained: Which Animals Israel Could Eat

Animals on land (vv. 1-8)

Land animals were allowed only if they had split hooves and chewed the cud (brought food back up to chew again), like cattle, sheep and goats. The camel, hyrax, hare (some translations say rabbit) and pig each fail one test; the hyrax and hare do not truly chew the cud but work their jaws as if they do.

Creatures in water (vv. 9-12)

Fish with both fins and scales were allowed. That ruled out things like shellfish and eels.

Birds and insects (vv. 13-23)

The banned birds are mostly hunters and scavengers, though many of the Hebrew bird names are uncertain, which is why translations list different birds. Locusts, crickets and grasshoppers were allowed and were a common food in the region.

Touching dead animals (vv. 24-40)

Touching or carrying a dead animal made a person 'unclean,' meaning unable to take part in worship for a time; it was not a sin, and it usually ended at evening after washing. A dead creeping animal also made pots, ovens and food unclean, though springs, water tanks and dry seed stayed clean, and the text gives these rules without explaining them.

Be holy as I am (vv. 41-45)

Creatures that crawl or slither on the ground were banned. The reason given is that the LORD, who freed them from Egypt, is holy, so even their meals marked them as his people.

Summing up (vv. 46-47)

The chapter never says why these particular animals were chosen, and scholars still disagree; ideas include health, avoiding neighbors' religious customs, and animals that fit their category neatly picturing wholeness. Jewish tradition still keeps these rules as kosher law, while Christians read Jesus' words in Mark 7 and Peter's vision in Acts 10 as lifting them for his followers.

Key verse: Leviticus 11:45

Where Christians differ

Most Christians believe these food laws no longer apply after Jesus, while some groups, such as Seventh-day Adventists, still keep them, and Christians also differ on whether the rules were mainly about health, symbolism or setting Israel apart.

Something to think about

Do ordinary daily habits, like what you eat or avoid, say something about who you are or which people you belong to?