Leviticus 11 19

Leviticus 11:19 kjv

And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.

Leviticus 11:19 nkjv

the stork, the heron after its kind, the hoopoe, and the bat.

Leviticus 11:19 niv

the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe and the bat.

Leviticus 11:19 esv

the stork, the heron of any kind, the hoopoe, and the bat.

Leviticus 11:19 nlt

the stork, herons of all kinds, the hoopoe, and the bat.

Leviticus 11 verses

Leviticus 11 19 Meaning

Leviticus 11:19 is a specific declaration within God's dietary laws for ancient Israel, marking four flying creatures – the stork, the heron with its various species, the lapwing (hoopoe), and the bat – as "unclean" and therefore forbidden for consumption. This injunction was part of a larger divine directive to establish Israel as a holy people, set apart from other nations, and distinct in their daily practices, reflecting the holiness of God Himself.

Leviticus 11 19 Context

Leviticus chapter 11 details God's dietary laws given to the Israelites at Mount Sinai through Moses, defining which animals were considered "clean" and thus permissible to eat, and which were "unclean" and therefore forbidden. This chapter forms a crucial part of the holiness code, outlining the practical ways in which Israel was to live distinctly from the surrounding pagan nations. The purpose was to enable them to maintain ritual purity and to understand that their daily lives, even in something as fundamental as food, were to reflect the holiness of the God who had redeemed them. Verse 19 specifically continues the list of flying creatures categorized as unclean, emphasizing the comprehensiveness of these regulations.

Leviticus 11 19 Word analysis

• And (וְ - ve): A simple conjunction, connecting this verse's prohibitions to the preceding list of unclean flying creatures. It signifies a continuation of the same thematic categorization.
• the stork (הַחֲסִידָה - ha-chasidah):
  • Derived from chasid, meaning "pious" or "loyal/devoted." This name may refer to its strong parental instincts, diligent migratory habits, or dignified posture.
  • Despite these seemingly positive traits (which would usually be associated with things God favors), the stork is explicitly forbidden. This highlights that the basis for clean/unclean designation is divine decree, not human moral or aesthetic judgment.
  • Known as a carnivorous wading bird, preying on small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Its dietary habits might align it with other predatory or scavenging birds already deemed unclean.
• the heron (הָאֲנָפָה - ha-anapah):
  • The precise identification is debated among scholars, but generally accepted to refer to various species of herons or related long-legged, carnivorous wading birds like cranes or egrets.
  • The root might be associated with "snorting" or "complaining/anger," potentially referring to a vocalization or characteristic posture.
  • These birds typically inhabit wetlands, feeding on fish, frogs, and other aquatic life, and some may consume carrion or small creatures that frequent stagnant waters.
• after her kind (לְמִינָהּ - le-minah):
  • This phrase (min meaning "kind" or "species") is recurrent in the Old Testament, particularly in Gen 1, where God creates living things "after their kind," denoting distinct biological categories.
  • Here, its inclusion means the prohibition is not just on a single, specific type of heron, but on all variations or species within the broad category identified as "heron." It ensures the prohibition is comprehensive for the general group.
• and the lapwing (וְהַדּוּכִיפַת - ve-haduchiphat):
  • Universally identified as the hoopoe (scientific name Upupa epops).
  • Distinguished by its prominent crest, distinctive "hoo-poo" call, and often probing with its long beak in soil, dung, and decaying matter for insects and larvae. Its association with potentially unclean environments or dietary habits could contribute to its prohibition.
  • Some traditions also mention a strong, unpleasant odor associated with this bird, especially around its nest, reinforcing its "unclean" status.
• and the bat (וְהָעֲטַלֵּף - ve-ha'atalleph):
  • This term unambiguously refers to the bat.
  • Its most significant inclusion is that it is a mammal listed within a chapter predominantly discussing birds and other flying creatures. This highlights its unique categorical status – a flying creature that is not a bird, blurring natural classifications.
  • Bats are nocturnal, inhabiting caves, dark crevices, or desolate places, often associated with darkness or hidden realms.
  • In prophetic literature (Isa 2:20), idols are cast "to the moles and bats," indicating contempt, ruin, and rejection. This association with defilement and hidden places likely contributed to its unclean designation.

Leviticus 11 19 Bonus section

• Theological Purpose of Dietary Laws: Beyond mere hygiene or even symbolic representations of morality, the primary theological purpose of the dietary laws was to create a boundary, an act of "separation." This physical boundary reminded Israel of its covenant relationship with Yahweh and its status as a "holy nation" (Exod 19:6, Lev 11:44-45). By distinguishing between clean and unclean animals, God taught His people to distinguish between what was holy and common in all aspects of life.
• The Bat's Unique Inclusion: The bat is a mammalian order within a list of birds (flying creatures), which underscores the concept that uncleanness sometimes arose from a creature blurring traditional, God-given categories (e.g., land animals that fly, water animals without fins and scales). This blurring could symbolize disorder or defiance of divine order, thereby contributing to its status as 'unclean'.
• Ancient Perceptions and Cultural Avoidances: While modern analysis seeks scientific or hygienic reasons, it's crucial to remember that these laws functioned within an ancient Israelite worldview. Some of these animals were associated with death, scavenging, or nocturnal activities, or simply not traditionally eaten, making their inclusion logical within the broader framework of avoiding things deemed 'impure' or 'abhorrent'.
• Transitional Covenantal Status: These dietary laws are part of the Mosaic Covenant. In the New Covenant, with the coming of Christ, many ceremonial laws, including these food restrictions, are seen as fulfilled and no longer literally binding on believers (Col 2:16-17; Heb 9:9-10). However, the underlying principles of self-control, living distinctly, and valuing inward purity over outward ritualism remain vital for New Testament believers.

Leviticus 11 19 Commentary

Leviticus 11:19 is part of God's divinely appointed culinary code for Israel, underscoring the theological principle of distinction and holiness. The inclusion of these particular flying creatures, the stork, heron (of various kinds), lapwing, and bat, within the "unclean" list emphasizes that cleanness was not based merely on observable traits or a direct danger to physical health, but on a spiritual boundary set by God. The reasons for each animal's prohibition, while debated (e.g., predatory or scavenging habits, association with impure environments, unique physical characteristics, or crossing "natural" categories as with the flying bat), ultimately rest on God's sovereign command. These laws created a perpetual, practical lesson in sanctification for Israel, a daily reminder of their distinct identity as a people consecrated to a holy God, separating them from the idolatrous and promiscuous practices of their pagan neighbors. While the literal observance of these food laws has been abrogated under the New Covenant (Mark 7:19, Acts 10:15), the underlying spiritual principle remains: God's people are called to live distinctly and set apart for Him, discerning what truly defiles the spirit.