Leviticus 11 22

Leviticus 11:22 kjv

Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind.

Leviticus 11:22 nkjv

These you may eat: the locust after its kind, the destroying locust after its kind, the cricket after its kind, and the grasshopper after its kind.

Leviticus 11:22 niv

Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket or grasshopper.

Leviticus 11:22 esv

Of them you may eat: the locust of any kind, the bald locust of any kind, the cricket of any kind, and the grasshopper of any kind.

Leviticus 11:22 nlt

The insects you are permitted to eat include all kinds of locusts, bald locusts, crickets, and grasshoppers.

Leviticus 11 verses

Leviticus 11 22 Meaning

Leviticus 11:22 details specific categories of winged insects that were ritually clean and permissible for the Israelites to eat. This verse serves as an exception to the broader prohibition of most winged creeping things previously outlined in the chapter. It specifies four types—the locust, the bald locust, a specific type of cricket/jumping insect (often mistakenly translated as 'beetle'), and the grasshopper—all qualified by the phrase "after his kind," signifying that all varieties within these defined categories are permissible, provided they possess jointed legs above their feet enabling them to leap from the ground. These dietary laws were crucial in establishing Israel's distinctiveness and commitment to God's holiness.

Leviticus 11 22 Context

Leviticus chapter 11 establishes detailed dietary regulations for the Israelites, delineating between ritually clean and unclean animals, birds, fish, and creeping things. These laws were integral to their covenant with Yahweh, aiming to set them apart as a holy nation from the surrounding pagan cultures. Verse 22 specifically addresses winged, creeping insects, making an important qualification after prohibiting most such creatures (Lev 11:20-21). It permits only those winged insects that possess jointed legs, allowing them to hop or leap. This nuanced distinction underlines the precise and methodical nature of God's law, demonstrating how even within a seemingly forbidden category, specific criteria could render certain items permissible, thus providing for sustenance while maintaining cultic purity. The entire chapter functions as a practical demonstration of God's desire for His people to reflect His holiness in every aspect of their lives, including their daily consumption.

Leviticus 11 22 Word analysis

• "Even these" (אַךְ אֶת־זֶה - 'akh 'et-zeh): The particle 'akh provides emphasis, meaning "only," "however," or "but." Combined with the demonstrative 'et-zeh ("this/these"), it forms a strong restrictive clause. It serves to strictly limit the following permission, making a clear and precise exception to the preceding general prohibition on winged, creeping things.
• "ye may eat" (תֹּאכֵלוּ - tokhelu): This is a verb in the imperfect tense, signifying permission or potential action, "you are permitted to eat" or "you may eat." It indicates these insects are an option for consumption, not a command or requirement.
• "the locust" (אַרְבֶּה - 'arbeh): This is a widely accepted term for various species of locusts or grasshoppers, specifically the winged, migratory types known for swarming. Locusts were a common and sometimes essential food source in ancient arid regions. Its inclusion acknowledges a pragmatic dietary resource.
• "the bald locust" (סָלְעָם - sol'am): This Hebrew term likely refers to a specific type of locust or cricket, characterized by certain physical attributes. While translations vary (e.g., "solitary locust," "devourer"), scholarly consensus leans towards another species of leaping insect that fits the general description from Lev 11:21. The Septuagint's rendition, Attakos, points to a type of wingless locust or large cricket.
• "the beetle" (חַרְגֹּל - hargol): This is a common but challenged translation (as in KJV). The Hebrew term hargol is overwhelmingly understood by scholars to refer to a jumping insect such as a cricket or cicada, rather than a crawling beetle in the modern sense. A true beetle would typically fall under the "creeping things" that are unclean (Lev 11:41). Its inclusion here as clean implicitly relies on it meeting the jumping leg criteria, indicating it is another type of locust-like insect.
• "the grasshopper" (חָגָב - khagav): A more general term for grasshoppers or smaller, non-swarming locusts. This confirms the permission for a broad category of jumping insects within the "locust" family.
• "after his kind" (לְמִינוֹ - l'mino): Literally meaning "to its kind" or "according to its species/kind." This crucial phrase, repeated after each insect type, specifies that the allowance is for all varieties or species within that general group. It reinforces a divinely established taxonomic order, as seen in the creation account (Gen 1:24-25), ensuring precision in the application of the dietary law.

• "Even these of them ye may eat": This opening phrase is an emphatic concession. It directly contrasts with the prior prohibition of winged insects that creep on four legs, explicitly granting permission for only a select group within this larger category. It sets a strict boundary, marking divine distinction and regulation of consumption.
• "the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind": This precise enumeration of four specific categories, each qualified by "after his kind," highlights the meticulous nature of God's law. It's not a generic allowance but a careful identification of permissible insect groups. This structured permission would have served to continuously reinforce to the Israelites the specific nature of their covenant and the detailed requirements for their holiness.

Leviticus 11 22 Bonus section

• The criteria for clean winged insects in Lev 11:21 ("those that have jointed legs above their feet, with which to hop on the ground") reveals a keen observation of insect anatomy and locomotion, forming a biological basis for the ritual distinction. This level of detail emphasizes the specificity and wisdom embedded within the divine law.
• The inclusion of these specific insects as clean permitted a readily available food source for the Israelites, especially while sojourning through the wilderness and living in the ancient Near East, where locust swarms were both a common natural phenomenon and a source of sustenance, thereby combining divine command with practical provision.
• The "kind" classifications in this verse (and throughout Genesis) served as an ancient form of taxonomy, highlighting that God created distinct species. This concept of ordered creation runs consistently through biblical narratives, reflecting divine wisdom and order.

Leviticus 11 22 Commentary

Leviticus 11:22 acts as a specific exception within the detailed dietary laws given to Israel, allowing the consumption of certain winged insects. This permission is predicated on a distinct physical characteristic: the presence of jointed legs above their feet, enabling them to leap from the ground (Lev 11:21). The four listed types – locusts, bald locusts, a type of cricket or jumping insect (mistranslated as 'beetle' in older versions), and grasshoppers – were significant as accessible protein sources in arid regions. The repeated qualifier "after his kind" underscores God's meticulous taxonomy and His expectation of precise adherence to His divine standards, distinguishing Israel's culinary practices from those of surrounding nations. While New Covenant believers are no longer bound by these specific dietary restrictions (Mk 7:19; Acts 10:15; Col 2:16-17), the underlying principles of distinction, discernment, and seeking holiness remain central to a life consecrated to God. The practical allowance for food alongside spiritual separation demonstrates God's holistic concern for His people's well-being and identity.