Leviticus 11 11

Leviticus 11:11 kjv

They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcasses in abomination.

Leviticus 11:11 nkjv

They shall be an abomination to you; you shall not eat their flesh, but you shall regard their carcasses as an abomination.

Leviticus 11:11 niv

And since you are to regard them as unclean, you must not eat their meat; you must regard their carcasses as unclean.

Leviticus 11:11 esv

You shall regard them as detestable; you shall not eat any of their flesh, and you shall detest their carcasses.

Leviticus 11:11 nlt

They will always be detestable to you. You must never eat their meat or even touch their dead bodies.

Leviticus 11 verses

Leviticus 11 11 Meaning

Leviticus 11:11 states that aquatic creatures lacking both fins and scales are to be considered utterly detestable to the Israelites. Consequently, they are strictly prohibited from consuming the meat of such creatures, and are commanded to hold their carcasses in strong revulsion and avoid contact with them. This verse reinforces the deep aversion required by the law toward these specific creatures.

Leviticus 11 11 Context

Leviticus 11:11 is part of a comprehensive set of dietary laws given by God to the people of Israel immediately after the establishment of the Tabernacle and the priestly system at Mount Sinai. Specifically, verses 9-12 of Chapter 11 address aquatic animals. Verse 9 establishes that only creatures with both fins and scales are permissible for consumption. Verse 10 identifies those lacking these features as forbidden. Verse 11, the subject verse, explicitly reinforces the extreme defiling nature of such creatures and the comprehensive prohibition against their consumption or contact with their dead bodies.

These laws, known as the "clean" and "unclean" distinctions, were not merely about health or hygiene, though practical benefits might have accrued. Their primary purpose was theological and social: to separate Israel from the surrounding pagan nations and practices, enabling them to reflect God's own holy character. Many forbidden animals were associated with idolatrous worship or common dietary staples of neighboring cultures. By adhering to these strictures, Israel demonstrated their obedience to Yahweh and maintained their unique identity as His covenant people, chosen for a priestly role among the nations.

Leviticus 11 11 Word analysis

• They: Refers to the specific aquatic creatures mentioned in Leviticus 11:10 – "whatever does not have fins and scales in the seas and in the rivers." This establishes the precise scope of the prohibition.
• are to be detestable: (Hebrew: שֶׁקֶץ, sheqets). This is a very strong term. It denotes something that is abhorrent, loathsome, abominable, or disgusting in a religious and moral sense. It implies extreme impurity and something profoundly offensive to God. This term is used elsewhere for idols and idolatrous practices, highlighting its severity. Its inclusion here means these creatures are not just 'unclean' but 'vile' or 'execrable'.
• to you: Specifies that this abhorrence is commanded upon the Israelites. It is their mandated response to these creatures, distinguishing them from other nations who would not share this aversion.
• You must not eat: (Hebrew: לֹא תֹאכֵלוּ, lo tokhelu). A direct, unequivocal negative command. It's a prohibition, indicating an absolute restriction on consumption. This prohibition formed a cornerstone of Israelite dietary practices.
• their meat: (Hebrew: בְּשָׂרָם, basaram). Refers specifically to the edible flesh of the creatures. The law distinguishes between touching the living creature and eating its flesh, or touching its carcass.
• and you must detest: (Hebrew: תְּשַׁקֵּצוּ, teshaqqetsu). This verb is derived from the same root (shaqats) as "detestable." It commands the active stance of treating them as an abomination, reinforcing the earlier statement. It's not passive, but an instructed attitude.
• their carcasses: (Hebrew: נִבְלָתָם, nivlatam). Refers to their dead bodies. The law's concern extended beyond consuming their flesh to even contact with their dead forms, as touching a carcass typically rendered a person ritually unclean, requiring purification rites.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "They are to be detestable...and you must detest their carcasses": The repetition of the root shaqats (detestable/detest) serves as an emphatic double condemnation. It emphasizes the profound religious impurity of these creatures. God not only declares them detestable but commands Israel to share that view, indicating that their defilement is comprehensive and not to be taken lightly. This linguistic choice underscores the severity and the required response from the people.
• "You must not eat their meat, and you must detest their carcasses": This phrase covers both consumption and contact with the dead. The prohibition is total: not only can they not be eaten when alive, but their dead bodies (carcasses) are also sources of ritual defilement and are to be actively avoided. This demonstrates the pervasive nature of the "unclean" status, affecting both internal (consumption) and external (contact) purity.

Leviticus 11 11 Bonus section

• Symbolic Interpretation: Many scholars propose that the symbolism of "fins and scales" might represent certain desirable characteristics. Fins allow fish to navigate and control their direction, not merely drift with the current. Scales provide protection. The absence of these could symbolize a lack of control, a susceptibility to spiritual currents, or a lack of moral resistance to defilement. Thus, creatures lacking them might symbolically represent something lacking God-ordained qualities.
• God's Discernment and Order: The detailed categories of clean and unclean animals throughout Leviticus 11 emphasize God's absolute sovereignty and His ordering of creation. It demonstrates His right to set boundaries and define what is acceptable or abominable within His holy realm, a principle that extends beyond physical diet to moral and spiritual conduct.
• Anticipating the New Covenant: The strictness of the Levitical dietary laws, while establishing separation for Israel, also prefigured a future reality. The New Testament's reinterpretation (Mark 7:19; Acts 10:13-15) reveals that outward distinctions like food are superseded by an inward heart transformed by Christ. The old shadows prepared people for a greater substance, moving the focus from ritual purity based on food to spiritual purity based on a renewed heart.
• Cultural Contrast: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, many of the animals forbidden to Israel, such as shellfish, eels, or pigs, were considered delicacies or were even used in pagan religious rituals. God's explicit prohibition served as a direct polemic against assimilation and idolatrous practices prevalent in the surrounding societies.

Leviticus 11 11 Commentary

Leviticus 11:11 crystallizes a fundamental aspect of Israelite identity rooted in the covenant. The directive to hold certain aquatic creatures as "detestable" (שֶׁקֶץ, sheqets) transcends mere dietary preference; it signifies a theological statement about purity and separation. The repetition of the strong term sheqets underscores that these creatures were not simply 'unclean' or 'forbidden', but an abomination from God's perspective, a view Israel was mandated to adopt. This reflected God's holy character, distinct from the common or profane.

The dual prohibition against both eating their meat and touching their carcasses highlights the comprehensive nature of the impurity associated with these creatures. The law aimed to insulate Israel from any form of contact that could compromise their ritual purity and, by extension, their sacred relationship with God. This practice served as a constant, tangible reminder of their unique covenant status, requiring a life lived distinct from the surrounding nations who did not discern between clean and unclean. Ultimately, these laws pointed to a greater spiritual truth: the call to holiness in all aspects of life, as God is holy. While not literally binding for New Testament believers, the principle of discernment and separation from that which is morally or spiritually defiling remains relevant, inviting believers to seek what pleases God rather than merely what is permissible.