Leviticus 11 4

Leviticus 11:4 kjv

Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

Leviticus 11:4 nkjv

Nevertheless these you shall not eat among those that chew the cud or those that have cloven hooves: the camel, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is unclean to you;

Leviticus 11:4 niv

"?'There are some that only chew the cud or only have a divided hoof, but you must not eat them. The camel, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is ceremonially unclean for you.

Leviticus 11:4 esv

Nevertheless, among those that chew the cud or part the hoof, you shall not eat these: The camel, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you.

Leviticus 11:4 nlt

You may not, however, eat the following animals that have split hooves or that chew the cud, but not both. The camel chews the cud but does not have split hooves, so it is ceremonially unclean for you.

Leviticus 11 verses

Leviticus 11 4 Meaning

Leviticus 11:4 establishes a specific category of animals considered unclean and therefore prohibited for consumption by the Israelites, despite possessing one characteristic typically associated with clean animals. It specifies that the camel, the rock badger (hyrax), and the hare are unclean. This ruling is based on their having observed chewing motion (thought to be cud-chewing) but crucially lacking a fully divided or cloven hoof, thus failing to meet the twofold criteria for clean land animals. This prohibition reinforced Israel's distinctiveness and dedication to holiness before the Almighty.

Leviticus 11 4 Context

Leviticus chapter 11 introduces a comprehensive set of dietary laws that distinguished clean animals, birds, fish, and insects from unclean ones, thereby regulating what the Israelites could and could not eat. These laws are foundational to the concept of purity and holiness, which is central to the entire book of Leviticus. Verse 4 immediately follows the general rule for land animals, which stated that only animals that both chew the cud and have a divided hoof are permissible. This verse then specifies exceptions that outwardly appear to meet one criterion (cud-chewing) but fail the other (divided hoof), making them explicitly unclean. The historical context positions these laws as a means by which Yahweh set apart Israel from the surrounding nations, whose diets often included many of the animals forbidden to Israel. This distinctiveness fostered their unique identity as God's covenant people.

Leviticus 11 4 Word analysis

• Nevertheless (אַךְ - 'akh): This Hebrew particle is an emphatic adversative or restrictive word. It signifies "only," "surely," or "however," introducing a crucial qualification or exception to the preceding general rule (Lev 11:3). It directs attention to a special category of prohibitions within the broad classification.
• among those that chew the cud or have a divided hoof: This phrase refers back to the general criteria outlined in Leviticus 11:3 for land animals permissible for consumption. It highlights that the subsequent prohibitions are against animals that appear to fit one part of the positive criteria, but not fully, creating ambiguity for human observation.
• you shall not eat (לֹא תֹאכְלוּ - lo' tokhelu): This is a direct, strong prohibition using the negative particle "lo" followed by the imperfect verb, signifying a permanent, absolute command. It underscores the divine authority behind the dietary laws and their mandatory nature for the covenant community.
• these: the camel (הַגָּמָל - haggamal): The camel, commonly found in the ancient Near East, visibly ruminates or "chews the cud." However, its foot is a soft, cushioned pad that is indeed split into two large toes, but it is not cloven through and through as in other artiodactyls. This lack of a completely "divided hoof" disqualifies it.
• the rock badger (הַשָּׁפָן - hashshapan): This refers to the hyrax, a small, furry mammal native to Africa and the Middle East. While observed to make constant chewing motions, similar to a ruminant, this is due to its continuous grinding of food (gnawing) and not true rumination where cud is regurgitated. Its feet are paw-like and certainly not divided. This demonstrates that the ancient classification relied on observable traits rather than modern biological distinctions.
• and the hare (וְהָאַרְנֶבֶת - veha'arnevet): This refers to the rabbit or hare, also common. Like the hyrax, the hare engages in similar continuous chewing movements (often coprophagy, re-ingesting feces for further nutrient extraction, which might have been mistaken for rumination) but is not a true ruminant. Its feet are likewise paws, not hooves.
• because though they chew the cud, they do not divide the hoof: This part explicitly states the rationale for the prohibition. It emphasizes that while one outward criterion (cud-chewing) might appear present, the absence of the other critical characteristic (divided hoof) renders the animal ritually unclean. This illustrates a precise and dual requirement.
• they are unclean for you (טְמֵאִים הֵם לָכֶם - t'mei'im hem lakhem): The word טָמֵא (tameh) means "unclean" or "impure," in contrast to tahor (clean/pure). This declaration establishes their ritual impurity, meaning contact with or consumption of these animals would defile an Israelite, making them unfit for worship or participation in the holy community without purification rites. The phrase "for you" reiterates the covenantal distinction applicable specifically to Israel.

Leviticus 11 4 Bonus section

The seemingly "biologically inaccurate" observations regarding the cud-chewing of the rock badger and hare are often interpreted not as errors in scripture, but as based on outward, observable behavior understandable to the common Israelite shepherd or farmer of that era, not modern zoological classification. The purpose of the law was pragmatic for its original audience and context: to provide clear, actionable rules for their unique identity and purity. The consistency and double criteria reinforced that divine law often requires full obedience, not partial, in specific areas of life. This chapter underscores a broader theological theme that separation (k'dusha - holiness) from defilement enables intimate relationship with God, a truth transcending the specific dietary codes.

Leviticus 11 4 Commentary

Leviticus 11:4 provides precise criteria for distinguishing clean from unclean animals among the land creatures mentioned previously. The verse specifically addresses three animals – the camel, rock badger, and hare – which appear to meet the criterion of chewing the cud, but fail to possess a fully divided hoof. This highlights the dual requirement for land animals to be clean. The intent behind these prohibitions was multifaceted. They were not primarily for health reasons, though some incidental health benefits may have existed. Rather, the dietary laws served to set Israel apart from surrounding nations, visually manifesting their distinct covenant relationship with God. By adhering to these divinely prescribed boundaries, the Israelites were reminded of their calling to be a holy people, reflecting God's own holiness in their daily lives. The specific distinctions of "chewing the cud" (symbolizing meditative assimilation of food/God's Word) and "divided hoof" (symbolizing discerning or distinct walk/path) taught principles of wisdom and proper conduct. While the New Covenant, fulfilled in Christ, abolished these literal dietary restrictions as markers of salvation (Mk 7:19; Acts 10; Rom 14), the underlying principle of living a life separated for God's purposes, discerning right from wrong, and meditating on God's Word, remains eternally relevant for believers.