Leviticus 11 34

Leviticus 11:34 kjv

Of all meat which may be eaten, that on which such water cometh shall be unclean: and all drink that may be drunk in every such vessel shall be unclean.

Leviticus 11:34 nkjv

in such a vessel, any edible food upon which water falls becomes unclean, and any drink that may be drunk from it becomes unclean.

Leviticus 11:34 niv

Any food you are allowed to eat that has come into contact with water from any such pot is unclean, and any liquid that is drunk from such a pot is unclean.

Leviticus 11:34 esv

Any food in it that could be eaten, on which water comes, shall be unclean. And all drink that could be drunk from every such vessel shall be unclean.

Leviticus 11:34 nlt

If the water from such a container spills on any food, the food will be defiled. And any beverage in such a container will be defiled.

Leviticus 11 verses

Leviticus 11 34 Meaning

Leviticus 11:34 establishes a crucial principle regarding ritual impurity concerning food and drink, specifically detailing how certain clean food items become unclean if they come into contact with water that has touched the carcass of an unclean creeping animal. It also states that any beverage within any vessel likewise becomes unclean through such contact. This highlights the pervasive nature of impurity, demonstrating that even common daily necessities could transmit defilement, requiring meticulous care to maintain ritual holiness in God's presence.

Leviticus 11 34 Context

Leviticus Chapter 11 meticulously outlines the dietary laws and regulations concerning clean and unclean animals for the Israelites. These laws were not primarily for public health (though there might have been incidental benefits) but served as foundational instructions for distinguishing Israel, a holy nation, from other peoples and maintaining their ritual purity in the presence of a holy God. The chapter specifies which animals may be eaten and which are forbidden. This particular verse (Lev 11:34) falls within a section (vv. 29-38) that addresses the profound defiling power of contact with the carcasses of various creeping animals (like weasels, rats, lizards). While prior verses discussed how objects like earthenware vessels become unclean by internal contact, this verse focuses on how such defilement impacts consumable items—food and drink—by means of water acting as an intermediary for defilement. It underscores the pervasive nature of impurity, demonstrating how quickly holiness could be compromised in daily life through seemingly minor contacts. Historically, these laws cemented Israel's unique identity as a consecrated people living under God's covenant, continually mindful of His sanctity.

Leviticus 11 34 Word analysis

• And any food (wəḵāl- 'ōḵel):

  • ōḵel (אֹכֶל) generally means "food," "eatables," or "victuals." This refers to non-meat food, such as grains, fruits, and vegetables, as distinct from sacrificial meats.
  • The specification highlights that even "clean" plant-based foods can become defiled. This is a point of concern because they form the staple of daily life.

• which may be eaten, (ʾăšer yēʾāḵēl):

  • Lit. "that is eaten." Emphasizes that it is a clean food item meant for consumption, which then, paradoxically, becomes unclean. This distinguishes it from non-food items or inedible things.

• on which water comes, (ʾăšer yābōʾ 'ālāyw māyim):

  • māyim (מַיִם): "water." Water here acts as a conduit or medium for defilement, unlike its usual role in purification rites (e.g., in cleansing after impurity).
  • yābōʾ 'ālāyw: lit. "comes upon it," signifying direct contact or absorption. This implies that the food item must be wet for the uncleanness to transfer. Dry food is typically less susceptible (as seen in v. 37).

• shall be unclean; (yiṭmāʾ):

  • ṭāmeʾ (טָמֵא): "unclean," "impure," "defiled." This is ritual uncleanness, not necessarily hygienic dirtiness. It meant a temporary state that rendered a person or object unsuitable for contact with sacred things or entry into the sanctuary. Such an item must be ritually cleansed or destroyed.
  • The instantaneous declaration of uncleanness shows the strictness of God's purity standards.

• and any beverage (wəḵāl-mašqe)

  • mašqe (מַשְׁקֶה): "drink," "beverage," "liquor." This term covers all liquids intended for drinking (e.g., wine, oil, honey, etc.), expanding beyond just water.
  • This inclusion makes the purity laws highly comprehensive, leaving no liquid loophole.

• which may be drunk, (ʾăšer yišqeh):

  • Lit. "that is drunk," similar to "may be eaten," reinforcing its consumable nature.

• in any vessel, (bəḵāl-kəlî):

  • kəlî (כְלִי): "vessel," "utensil," "implement," "container." This term is broad, encompassing pottery, wooden, leather, or sackcloth vessels (cf. v. 32-33).
  • This specifies that if the beverage itself (liquid) is inside a container, and either the liquid or the vessel came into contact with an unclean carcass (through water as an intermediary, as per the preceding clause), both the beverage and the vessel are unclean. The impurity is pervasive, extending through the liquid to the container holding it.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And any food which may be eaten, on which water comes,": This phrase emphasizes the mechanism of defilement for solid food. Water acts as the carrier or mediator. If the food is dry, the carcass itself does not typically defile it unless it’s consumed. But wet food readily absorbs impurity through water contact. This implies that if an unclean carcass fell onto dry food, and then water was poured on that dry food and came into contact with the carcass part, the food would become defiled. This rule underscored the pervasive nature of defilement.

• "shall be unclean;": This succinct declaration of tame (uncleanness) underscores the legal and spiritual consequence. The food is rendered unfit for consumption by an Israelite striving for purity, emphasizing the immediate and inherent defiling power attributed to certain substances. The distinction between physical cleanliness and ritual purity is vital here.

• "and any beverage which may be drunk, in any vessel, shall be unclean.": This clause extends the principle to all drinkable liquids. Crucially, it highlights that a beverage in a vessel also becomes unclean. This isn't just about water used to make food unclean; it’s about any liquid beverage already present in a container. The uncleanness could transfer to the beverage itself if the carcass (or an unclean item wetted by the carcass) touched the vessel containing the beverage or directly touched the beverage within. This illustrates that uncleanness can penetrate vessels and liquids within, affecting what they contain, indicating a comprehensive reach of defilement within the Israelite household.

Leviticus 11 34 Bonus section

The Levitical laws on ritual purity, exemplified in verses like Leviticus 11:34, were crucial for shaping Israel's self-understanding and worship. They reinforced the constant awareness of God's pervasive holiness within their camp, symbolizing the fundamental opposition between life and death, purity and corruption. Death, whether of humans or animals, represented the ultimate state of impurity, symbolizing humanity's fallen condition. These meticulous laws thus created a palpable sense of separation and consequence, encouraging the Israelites to live intentionally in every aspect of their lives. Furthermore, the concept of "transfer" of impurity via a medium like water foreshadowed the later rabbinic tradition's detailed discussions on purity laws (tumah v'taharah), illustrating how comprehensively the Israelite's physical actions were meant to reflect their spiritual state before a holy God. This precise rule taught that holiness was not an abstract concept but affected everything from diet to cooking vessels.

Leviticus 11 34 Commentary

Leviticus 11:34, though seemingly a mundane household rule, is profound in its theological implications, contributing to the meticulous framework of holiness demanded by God. It defines a pathway for impurity—from a carcass to food or drink via water—which highlights God's demand for total separation from defilement in daily life. This rule reinforced Israel's identity as a distinct, holy people set apart for Yahweh. The particular focus on water as a medium for impurity, contrary to its usual role in purification (e.g., Numbers 19 for ritual bathing), underscores the pervasive and insidious nature of ritual uncleanness emanating from death, a stark opposite to life. This means that Israelites needed constant vigilance even over their basic sustenance. The specificity of "any food... on which water comes" implies that dry food, otherwise undefiled, could become contaminated if moisture acted as a bridge. Similarly, any drink, even within a container, could become contaminated. This level of detail taught absolute mindfulness of purity for a people living in a covenant relationship with a holy God. These purity laws ultimately served as types and shadows, pointing to the need for ultimate spiritual cleansing from the defilement of sin, a cleansing achieved completely through Christ, who, by taking on defilement (e.g., contact with lepers, dead), paradoxically brought cleansing and made all things, including foods, spiritually clean (Mk 7:19; Acts 10:15).