Leviticus 11 21

Leviticus 11:21 kjv

Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth;

Leviticus 11:21 nkjv

Yet these you may eat of every flying insect that creeps on all fours: those which have jointed legs above their feet with which to leap on the earth.

Leviticus 11:21 niv

There are, however, some flying insects that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground.

Leviticus 11:21 esv

Yet among the winged insects that go on all fours you may eat those that have jointed legs above their feet, with which to hop on the ground.

Leviticus 11:21 nlt

You may, however, eat winged insects that walk along the ground and have jointed legs so they can jump.

Leviticus 11 verses

Leviticus 11 21 Meaning

Leviticus 11:21 provides a specific exemption within the general prohibition against eating most "flying creeping things." It identifies winged insects that possess distinct characteristics—namely, legs above their feet designed for leaping—as permissible for consumption. This instruction serves to differentiate between generally unclean flying insects and a select group, understood to be specific types of locusts, grasshoppers, and crickets, which God designates as clean for the Israelites.

Leviticus 11 21 Context

Leviticus 11 details a foundational set of dietary laws for the Israelites, distinguishing between animals deemed "clean" (permissible to eat) and "unclean" (forbidden). These laws were not primarily for health, but rather served to establish a tangible, daily means of practicing holiness and separation for God's chosen people. By adhering to these unique dietary restrictions, Israel was set apart from the surrounding nations whose eating habits were often indiscriminate and intertwined with pagan rituals. The chapter is structured by categories: land animals, sea creatures, birds, and finally, "creeping things" or insects. Within the category of winged insects (Lev 11:20-23), verse 21 specifically grants an exception to the general prohibition, allowing the consumption of certain insect types identifiable by their physical characteristics and mode of movement. This careful distinction highlights God's order and the importance of discernment in the lives of His covenant people.

Leviticus 11 21 Word analysis

• Yet these may you eat: This phrase introduces an exception to the previous general prohibition in Lev 11:20 against eating "all winged creeping things that go on all fours." It signifies God's specific allowance, revealing His precise definitions for clean and unclean.
• of every flying creeping thing:
  • Hebrew: sheretz ha'oph (שֶׁרֶץ הָעוֹף). Sheretz broadly refers to swarming or teeming creatures, often small and low to the ground. Ha'oph denotes flying or winged. This term collectively refers to winged insects or flying swarming creatures. Many of these, by default, are unclean (Lev 11:20), making the subsequent distinction vital.
• that goes upon all four:
  • Hebrew: holekh 'al arba' (הוֹלֵךְ עַל אַרְבַּע). While biologically most insects have six legs, this phrase is not a strict biological classification. Instead, it describes their terrestrial locomotion – they move along the ground using multiple appendages, in contrast to things that slither (like reptiles) or crawl low on their bellies without distinct legs. It serves to differentiate their general "gait" or how they interact with the ground before taking flight or leaping, narrowing the broad category of sheretz ha'oph.
• which have legs above their feet:
  • Hebrew: kera'ayim mimma'al l'raglav (כְּרָעַיִם מִמַּעַל לְרַגְלָיו). This is the crucial distinguishing characteristic. Kera'ayim refers to upper or strong legs, and mimma'al l'raglav means "above its feet." This distinctly describes the powerful, enlarged hind legs positioned higher up on the body, specifically designed for propulsion.
• to leap withal upon the earth:
  • Hebrew: l'natter (לְנַתֵּר). This infinitive expresses the purpose of the specially structured legs: "to jump" or "to leap." This physical ability, directly linked to the "legs above their feet," definitively identifies the permitted insects. It describes species such as locusts, crickets, and grasshoppers.

Words-group analysis:

• "Yet these may you eat of every flying creeping thing that goes upon all four": This opening clause sets up a surprising exception. Despite the general rule against consuming "winged creeping things," a sub-category is introduced for specific permissibility. The descriptor "goes upon all four" distinguishes them as creatures that move terrestrially on distinct appendages rather than slithering, before adding the definitive characteristic for consumption.
• "which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth": This phrase constitutes the definitive biological criterion for edibility within the broad category of flying insects. It provides a precise and observable characteristic (strong, elevated hind legs designed for jumping) that clearly separates edible species (like various locusts and grasshoppers) from all other non-permitted winged insects. This specific feature points to creatures widely known and consumed in the ancient Near East as a food source, particularly during famines or times of abundance.

Leviticus 11 21 Bonus section

The dietary laws in Leviticus, including those for insects, reflect a deeper theological message about holiness and separation (Lev 11:44-47). They taught Israel to distinguish between common and holy, clean and unclean, applying this principle to every area of their lives. These seemingly arbitrary distinctions provided daily reminders of their covenant relationship with God and their unique identity. The precision in describing the edible insects also reflects a meticulous divine attention to detail, indicating that the criteria for clean/unclean animals were not random but specific, requiring careful observation of God's creation. Furthermore, John the Baptist's diet of "locusts and wild honey" (Matt 3:4, Mk 1:6) serves as a New Testament affirmation of the continued cultural recognition and biblical permissibility of consuming such insects in ancient times. This demonstrates that for certain specific flying insects, they were indeed part of the accepted dietary norms for some, even outside the strict temple ritual context.

Leviticus 11 21 Commentary

Leviticus 11:21 clarifies God's design for Israel's diet by establishing specific, observable criteria for differentiating edible insects from non-edible ones. While most "flying creeping things" (small, swarming winged creatures that crawl) are forbidden, this verse singles out those with prominent, powerful hind legs enabling them to leap. This distinct characteristic clearly points to species like locusts, crickets, and grasshoppers, which are explicitly named in the subsequent verse (Lev 11:22). This directive underscores the principles of discernment and order that pervade the Levitical laws, helping the Israelites maintain a ritual purity and physical separation as a holy people, set apart unto the Lord. The passage emphasizes God's precision in His commandments and His wisdom in providing guidelines that not only fostered spiritual distinction but also, as a secondary benefit, allowed for the consumption of readily available protein sources in the arid regions where Israelites resided, highlighting the practicality of some divine provisions.