Leviticus 11 18

Leviticus 11:18 kjv

And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle,

Leviticus 11:18 nkjv

the white owl, the jackdaw, and the carrion vulture;

Leviticus 11:18 niv

the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey,

Leviticus 11:18 esv

the barn owl, the tawny owl, the carrion vulture,

Leviticus 11:18 nlt

the barn owl, the desert owl, the Egyptian vulture,

Leviticus 11 verses

Leviticus 11 18 Meaning

Leviticus 11:18 specifies a list of creatures that the Israelites were commanded not to eat, deeming them "unclean." These include the stork, various kinds of herons, the hoopoe (often translated as lapwing), and the bat. This injunction was part of a broader set of dietary laws designed to distinguish Israel and foster their ritual purity before God, establishing clear boundaries between them and the surrounding nations.

Leviticus 11 18 Context

Leviticus chapter 11 lays out a detailed set of dietary regulations for the Israelite community, distinguishing between "clean" animals permissible for consumption and "unclean" animals that were prohibited. This verse, 11:18, is part of a longer list of specific bird species forbidden. These laws were not merely about hygiene but were fundamental to the Israelite understanding of holiness (Hebrew: qadosh, meaning 'set apart'). By adhering to these unique dietary standards, Israel was continually reminded of their distinct identity as God's covenant people, separate from the surrounding nations whose practices often involved consuming such animals. The purpose was to promote ritual purity and to embody the separation commanded by a holy God (Lev 11:44-45), reflecting their divine calling to be a priestly kingdom. The prohibitions might have also subtly acted as a polemic against some pagan animal worship or magic rituals associated with specific creatures, although the primary focus was on Israel’s unique consecrated identity.

Leviticus 11 18 Word analysis

• stork (וְהַחֲסִידָה֙, wə·ha·ḥa·sî·ḏāh): From the Hebrew word chasidah (חֲסִידָה), derived from chesed (חֶסֶד), meaning "loyal love," "kindness," or "piety." Ironically named "the loyal one," possibly due to its perceived parental care or migratory consistency. Despite this seemingly positive association, it is listed as unclean, illustrating that uncleanness was a divine decree for separation, not necessarily a judgment on the animal's character.
• heron (וְהָאֲנָפָ֤ה, wə·hā·’ă·nā·p̄āh): From Hebrew anafa (אֲנָפָה). This term generally refers to various species of large wading birds. They often frequent watery environments and might consume creatures like amphibians, reptiles, or fish which were themselves potentially sources of ritual impurity for the Israelites if they lacked fins and scales.
• after her kind (לְמִינָהּ֙, lə·mî·nāh): This phrase, leminah (לְמִינָהּ), literally "to its kind" or "according to its species," emphasizes that the prohibition applies not just to one specific variety of heron but to all types or sub-species within the heron family. It highlights the thoroughness of the divine instruction and the consistent application of the law across entire classifications, reinforcing order and distinctiveness within creation. This precise classification mirrors language found in creation accounts (Gen 1).
• lapwing (וְהַדּוּכִיפַת֙, wə·had·dû·ḵî·p̄aṯ): The Hebrew duykiphat (דוּכִיפַת) is most commonly identified as the hoopoe, known for its distinct crown-like crest. Hoopoes are often found in refuse-laden areas and their diet includes insects, possibly connecting them to a deemed unclean category based on their living environment or perceived habits.
• bat (וְהָעֲטַלֵּף, wə·hā·‘a·ṭal·lêp̄): The Hebrew atallef (עֲטַלֵּף) refers to the bat. Its inclusion in a list of "fowls" is noteworthy as bats are mammals that fly, rather than birds. This categorization reveals that the ancient Israelite system of clean/unclean did not strictly align with modern biological taxonomy, but rather with observable characteristics, habitats (e.g., caves, darkness for bats), and modes of locomotion. The bat, a creature that blurs conventional categories (flying mammal), often features in discussions of what made an animal "unclean" – perhaps due to not fully conforming to one clear, discrete category (like a bird, a land animal, or a fish).

Leviticus 11 18 Bonus section

The criteria for classifying animals as "unclean" in Leviticus 11, particularly for birds, appear to be based primarily on observations of their behavior and natural habitat rather than modern biological classifications. For example, most of the birds declared unclean are either predatory, consume carrion (scavengers), or live in unclean environments. This distinction served to prevent the Israelites from adopting practices common among surrounding nations, some of which worshipped or associated divine powers with specific animals. The bat's inclusion, being a flying mammal, suggests that classification here went beyond simple avian status, possibly extending to characteristics that didn't fit neatly into established categories of "clean" creatures, reinforcing the divine emphasis on distinct, ordered forms of life suitable for consumption by a holy people.

Leviticus 11 18 Commentary

Leviticus 11:18 forms an integral part of the Old Testament dietary laws, specifically detailing birds forbidden for consumption. The listing of the stork, herons, hoopoe, and bat serves multiple purposes beyond simple dietary health. The overarching goal was to inculcate holiness in the Israelite nation, setting them apart as distinct from other peoples. These prohibitions communicated principles of purity and defilement that were fundamental to their relationship with a holy God. Creatures that blurred clear categories (like the flying mammal bat), that were scavengers (like many of the birds of prey listed in the broader passage), or that were otherwise associated with practices of other cultures were declared unclean. This acted as a constant reminder of Israel's unique identity and calling, ensuring they embodied holiness in their daily lives. In the New Covenant, these literal food distinctions are superseded (Mk 7:19; Acts 10:15), teaching that inner purity and freedom in Christ are paramount, yet the underlying principle of God desiring a distinct, consecrated people endures, albeit in a transformed, spiritual sense.