Leviticus 11:10 kjv
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:
Leviticus 11:10 nkjv
But all in the seas or in the rivers that do not have fins and scales, all that move in the water or any living thing which is in the water, they are an abomination to you.
Leviticus 11:10 niv
But all creatures in the seas or streams that do not have fins and scales?whether among all the swarming things or among all the other living creatures in the water?you are to regard as unclean.
Leviticus 11:10 esv
But anything in the seas or the rivers that does not have fins and scales, of the swarming creatures in the waters and of the living creatures that are in the waters, is detestable to you.
Leviticus 11:10 nlt
But you must never eat animals from the sea or from rivers that do not have both fins and scales. They are detestable to you. This applies both to little creatures that live in shallow water and to all creatures that live in deep water.
Leviticus 11 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 11:9 | 'These you may eat of all that are in the waters... have fins and scales.' | Defines clean aquatic life immediately before. |
| Lev 11:11 | 'They shall be an abomination to you... you shall not eat of their flesh.' | Consequence: an abomination not to be eaten. |
| Lev 11:12 | 'Whatever in the waters does not have fins and scales... an abomination.' | Reinforces the prohibition. |
| Deut 14:9 | 'You may eat all clean birds. But these are the birds that you may not eat:' | Parallel law in Deut. |
| Deut 14:10 | 'And whatever does not have fins and scales you shall not eat.' | Directly parallels Lev 11:10. |
| Lev 10:10 | 'And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;' | Priestly role in discerning clean/unclean. |
| Eze 44:23 | 'They shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the common, and make them discern between the unclean and the clean.' | Priestly instruction on discernment. |
| Acts 10:10-16 | 'He saw heaven opened... voice said, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”' | Peter's vision nullifying food distinctions. |
| Acts 15:28-29 | 'For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essential things: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols...' | Jerusalem Council re: Gentile believers and food laws. |
| Rom 14:14 | 'I am convinced... nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.' | Christian freedom from dietary restrictions. |
| Rom 14:17 | 'For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.' | Focus on spiritual kingdom, not dietary rules. |
| Col 2:16-17 | 'Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink... a shadow of what is to come.' | Dietary laws are a shadow, Christ is reality. |
| 1 Tim 4:4-5 | 'For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.' | All food good with thanksgiving. |
| Tit 1:15 | 'To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure...' | Purity comes from within, not external rules. |
| 2 Cor 6:17 | 'Therefore, “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord; touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”' | Principle of separation for holiness. |
| Isa 52:11 | 'Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her!' | Call to avoid ceremonial impurity. |
| Mal 3:18 | 'Then you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.' | Distinguishing principle in judgment. |
| Heb 9:9-10 | 'which is a symbol for the present time, in which gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, but deal only with foods and drinks and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.' | Old Covenant food laws as temporary. |
| Matt 15:11 | 'Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.' | Jesus redefines source of defilement. |
| Mark 7:19 | 'Because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated.” (Thus He declared all foods clean.)' | Explicit declaration of all foods as clean. |
Leviticus 11 verses
Leviticus 11 10 Meaning
Leviticus 11:10 specifies that all aquatic creatures found in the seas and rivers that do not possess both fins and scales are considered detestable and unclean for the Israelites to eat. This commandment served to distinguish the Israelites, setting them apart by prescribing what was permissible and what was an abomination, contributing to their national and spiritual holiness.
Leviticus 11 10 Context
Leviticus 11 is central to the Levitical laws, specifically detailing the dietary regulations for the Israelite community, distinguishing clean (kosher) animals from unclean ones. This chapter falls within a broader section of Leviticus (chapters 11-15) dealing with ceremonial defilement and purification rituals. The historical context is post-Exodus, with Israel freshly redeemed from slavery in Egypt and entering into a covenant relationship with Yahweh at Mount Sinai. These laws provided a clear distinction for the Israelites from the surrounding pagan nations who ate freely of all creatures and engaged in cultic practices deemed abhorrent by God. The overarching purpose was to inculcate holiness and obedience in God's chosen people, visually demonstrating their unique identity and their relationship with a holy God. This served as an act of obedience, separating Israel unto the LORD.
Leviticus 11 10 Word analysis
- And all: The Hebrew term for "all" (כָּל, kol) indicates an absolute and comprehensive prohibition, leaving no exceptions within the specified category. This highlights the definitive nature of God's command.
- that have not fins: The Hebrew word for fins is sanpir (סְנַפִּיר). Fins are essential for propulsion, steering, and balance in aquatic life. Their absence implies creatures that typically live on the bottom or are scavenger-like.
- and scales: The Hebrew word for scales is kaskeseth (קַשְׂקֶשֶׂת). Scales are typically a protective outer covering for fish. The pairing of "fins and scales" (סְנַפִּיר וְקַשְׂקֶשֶׂת) is crucial; an aquatic creature needed both to be considered clean. This distinguishes between "true" fish and other aquatic creatures.
- in the seas, and in the rivers: This phrase explicitly broadens the scope of the prohibition to include all bodies of water, ensuring that the law applies universally to aquatic life, whether saltwater or freshwater.
- of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters: This double phrasing further emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the prohibition. It includes all types of "movers" (sheretz, creatures that swarm or teem) and any general "living thing" (nephesh chayyāh, living soul or being) in the waters, covering anything not fitting the "fin and scale" criteria. This specific language covers things like eels, shellfish (crabs, lobsters, shrimp), octopus, etc., which lack either or both features.
- they shall be an abomination: The Hebrew word sheqets (שֶׁקֶץ) translates to "abomination," "detestable thing," or "loathed." This is a strong theological term implying something ritually repugnant and inherently unclean, not merely undesirable. It carries spiritual revulsion and is often associated with idolatry and pagan practices (e.g., Deut 27:15). Its use here highlights that violating these dietary laws was not merely a matter of health, but a transgression against divine holiness, defiling the person who consumed them. This word implies a deeper spiritual barrier.
Leviticus 11 10 Bonus section
The lack of fins and scales is characteristic of many bottom-dwelling scavengers and predators (e.g., catfish, eels, shellfish), which often consume decaying matter or other impure sources. While modern science identifies potential health risks with some of these, the biblical text does not present health as the primary rationale. Instead, the repeated use of sheqets (abomination/detestable) emphasizes a ritual and spiritual separation, a distinctness that defined Israel's identity as God's covenant people. The laws fostered a mindset of holiness and set-apartness, illustrating that God's people are to discern and distinguish in all areas of life, aligning themselves with His holy nature. These physical boundaries were a pedagogical tool for a spiritual reality, teaching them the importance of discernment in a world filled with practices alien to God's standards.
Leviticus 11 10 Commentary
Leviticus 11:10 establishes a clear and uncompromising criterion for unclean aquatic life: anything lacking both fins and scales is detestable. This mandate was not primarily for health or practical reasons, though some incidental benefits might exist. Rather, its fundamental purpose was theological—to signify separation and cultivate holiness among the Israelites, reflecting God's own nature as holy and set apart. By restricting their diet, God taught His people discipline and constant discernment between the clean and the unclean, echoing His desire for them to be a unique nation. This created boundaries, reinforced their covenant identity, and visually separated them from surrounding nations who indulged in all forms of food. In essence, it taught them to make careful distinctions in life, preparing them for moral and spiritual distinctions. The New Covenant, however, reveals that these dietary laws were temporary shadows, fulfilled in Christ, who declared all foods clean (Mk 7:19), shifting the focus of purity from external regulations to the purity of the heart (Matt 15:11; Rom 14:14-17). The New Testament highlights that true spiritual purity comes through faith in Christ and internal transformation, rather than adherence to ritual food laws.