Leviticus 11 30

Leviticus 11:30 kjv

And the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole.

Leviticus 11:30 nkjv

the gecko, the monitor lizard, the sand reptile, the sand lizard, and the chameleon.

Leviticus 11:30 niv

the gecko, the monitor lizard, the wall lizard, the skink and the chameleon.

Leviticus 11:30 esv

the gecko, the monitor lizard, the lizard, the sand lizard, and the chameleon.

Leviticus 11:30 nlt

the gecko, the monitor lizard, the common lizard, the sand lizard, and the chameleon.

Leviticus 11 verses

Leviticus 11 30 Meaning

Leviticus 11:30 continues the enumeration of eight small "swarming things" that creep on the earth, identified as supremely unclean and capable of defiling anyone or anything that comes into contact with their dead carcasses. This specific verse lists five such creatures: the ferret, the chameleon, the lizard, the snail, and the mole (though the precise identification of these creatures in modern zoology is debated). These animals, because they are considered unclean, serve as a boundary marker, distinguishing the clean from the unclean and emphasizing the divine call for Israel to be set apart as holy to the Lord.

Leviticus 11 30 Context

Leviticus chapter 11 details the elaborate system of dietary and contact purity laws given by God to Israel through Moses. It meticulously distinguishes between clean and unclean animals, laying out what is permissible for consumption and what defiles a person or object upon contact with its carcass. Verses 29-30 specifically list eight small land creatures, all described as "swarming things that creep on the earth" (שֶׁרֶץ הָרֹמֵשׂ עַל-הָאָרֶץ, sherets haromes al ha'arets), which are declared unclean. This means they are unfit for food and, more importantly, their dead bodies convey ritual impurity (תֻּמְאָה, tum'ah). The purpose of these laws was primarily to instill in Israel a tangible sense of holiness, to set them apart from the surrounding nations who did not observe such distinctions. By delineating strict boundaries regarding what could enter their bodies and what they could touch, God was teaching His people about their unique identity and calling to be holy, as He Himself is holy. These physical distinctions served as a constant reminder of the need for moral and spiritual purity, safeguarding them from pagan practices and maintaining their consecration to the Lord.

Leviticus 11 30 Word analysis

• And the ferret (וְהָאֲנָקָה, veha'anakah): The Hebrew word anakah is debated. While traditionally translated "ferret" or "shrew mouse" in some versions, scholars suggest it may refer to certain types of gecko or larger lizard known for emitting a squeaking sound, possibly related to the root anaq (to groan or shriek). Its inclusion highlights the broad category of small, ground-dwelling creatures deemed unclean.
• and the chameleon (וְהַכֹּחַ, veha’koach): The term koach refers to a "strength" or "power," but in a zoological context, it is widely accepted to denote some kind of monitor lizard, perhaps a desert monitor. Unlike the modern understanding of chameleon (which changes color), this likely refers to a specific type of reptile common in the ancient Near East known for its size or power among lizards.
• and the lizard (וְהַלְּטָאָה, veha'leta'ah): The Hebrew word leta'ah most likely refers to a common or wall lizard, perhaps specifically a gecko given the context of other debated "lizard" terms. It denotes a broad category of small reptiles. Its designation as unclean reinforces the pattern of ground-creeping, often perceived as lowly or abhorrent creatures.
• and the snail (וְהַחֹמֶט, veha’chomet): The Hebrew term chomet is one of the most disputed identifications. While translated "snail" in some versions, many modern scholars and ancient Septuagint translate it as "sand lizard" or "skink." Snails are mollusks and do not "creep on the earth" in the same reptilian or mammal-like sense as the other listed creatures, further suggesting a small lizard or reptile. The ambiguity emphasizes the focus on general categories of small, non-descript ground dwellers rather than precise species.
• and the mole (וְהַתִּנְשָׁמֶת, vehatinshemeth): This Hebrew word tinshemeth appears twice in Leviticus 11, with different meanings depending on the context. In Lev 11:18, it refers to a type of bird (often translated "swan" or "owl"). Here in Lev 11:30, it specifically refers to a land-dwelling creature, widely identified as a "mole," but sometimes also interpreted as an "Egyptian monitor" or another type of "chameleon" in other ancient translations. The distinction in context (bird vs. creeping thing) is crucial, indicating it signifies a category rather than one specific animal across all instances.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "And the X, and the Y, and the Z": The repetitive use of "and the" (וְהַ) signifies an ongoing list of distinct but similar creatures. It emphasizes the breadth of the prohibition and the categorical nature of the "unclean swarming things."
  • "ferret, chameleon, lizard, snail, mole": These creatures collectively represent the category of small, "creeping things" that are distinct from larger clean or unclean animals. Their small size, proximity to the earth, and often subterranean or obscure habitats might have contributed to their classification as unclean, perhaps seen as inherently "low" or potentially disease-carrying. The uncertainty of identification underscores that the category of these low, numerous, and pervasive ground-dwelling creatures is the main point of the law, rather than strict biological identification for the original audience.

Leviticus 11 30 Bonus section

The significant scholarly debate over the exact modern identification of the creatures listed in Lev 11:29-30 highlights that the theological principle of defilement by "unclean creeping things" was more important than their precise zoological classification to the ancient Israelites. These lists function more as categories than an exhaustive zoological catalog. The creatures share common characteristics: they are small, numerous, often hidden or close to the ground, and their proliferation might have seemed uncontrollable. The act of defilement from their carcasses underscored the pervasive nature of impurity and death in a fallen world, prompting Israel to seek the Lord's prescribed path of purification. This passage is not just about avoiding disease (though health benefits might be incidental) but primarily about sacred space, identity, and teaching separation to a people chosen to reflect divine holiness.

Leviticus 11 30 Commentary

Leviticus 11:30 serves as a specific enumeration within the broader code of purity and defilement laws concerning land animals. These "swarming things" are distinct from larger, four-footed animals, being typically smaller, more numerous, and often perceived as pests or undesirable. Their defiling nature, especially upon contact with their dead carcasses, taught Israel a critical lesson in holiness: that even seemingly insignificant elements could render something impure in God's sight. The spiritual lesson transcends the physical creatures themselves. It underscored the absolute purity God demands and His people's separation from anything associated with sin, death, or defilement. These laws served as tangible reminders that the Israelites were set apart, and their purity was to reflect the holiness of the God with whom they had covenanted. The detailed nature of these regulations forced constant vigilance and discernment, shaping their daily lives around the principle of seeking to live as God's distinct and consecrated people. While believers in the New Covenant are freed from these literal dietary restrictions, the underlying spiritual principle of purity, discernment, and avoiding "unclean things" (referring now to sin, false teachings, and worldly influences) remains paramount.