Leviticus 11:41 kjv
And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten.
Leviticus 11:41 nkjv
'And every creeping thing that creeps on the earth shall be an abomination. It shall not be eaten.
Leviticus 11:41 niv
"?'Every creature that moves along the ground is to be regarded as unclean; it is not to be eaten.
Leviticus 11:41 esv
"Every swarming thing that swarms on the ground is detestable; it shall not be eaten.
Leviticus 11:41 nlt
"All small animals that scurry along the ground are detestable, and you must never eat them.
Leviticus 11 41 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 11:29 | "These also shall be unclean to you among the swarming things that swarm on the earth..." | Earlier list of specific unclean creeping things. |
| Lev 11:44 | "For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy." | Links clean/unclean laws directly to God's holiness. |
| Deut 14:3 | "You shall not eat any abomination." | Parallel injunction to avoid abominable things. |
| Deut 14:19 | "And every creeping thing that flies is unclean for you." | Reiterates uncleanliness of certain creeping things. |
| Is 66:17 | "Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves to go into the gardens... eating pigs' flesh and the abomination and mice..." | Condemns consumption of forbidden things in sinful context. |
| Gen 3:14 | "Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock... on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life." | Symbolic association of crawling with cursedness. |
| Acts 10:14 | But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean.” | Peter's reluctance before New Covenant dietary change. |
| Acts 10:15 | And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” | Abrogation of OT dietary laws in NT. |
| Mk 7:19 | (Thus he declared all foods clean.) | Jesus' declaration on food purity, fulfilled in Christ. |
| Rom 14:1 | "As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions." | Dietary freedom and conscience in the New Testament. |
| Col 2:16 | "Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath." | OT regulations fulfilled in Christ, not binding on NT believers. |
| Heb 9:10 | "but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation." | OT regulations temporary until Christ. |
| 1 Pet 1:15 | "but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct." | Calls believers to holiness, transcending ritual purity. |
| Eph 5:3 | "But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you..." | Shift from ritual impurity to moral impurity in NT. |
| 2 Cor 6:17 | "Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing..." | Spiritual separation from world's defilement. |
| 1 Cor 8:8 | "Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do eat." | Freedom in Christ regarding food. |
| Gal 5:6 | "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love." | Spiritual principles transcend ritual observance. |
| Deut 7:26 | "And you shall not bring an abominable thing into your house and become devoted to destruction like it..." | Sheqets used for idolatrous objects, extending defilement. |
| Ps 119:9 | "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word." | General principle of purity through God's Word. |
| Ezek 4:14 | Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I have never defiled myself. From my youth up until now I have never eaten what has died of itself or been torn by beasts, nor has abominable meat come into my mouth." | Emphasis on adhering to dietary purity. |
Leviticus 11 verses
Leviticus 11 41 Meaning
Leviticus 11:41 declares that all "creeping things" that creep upon the earth are an "abomination" and are strictly forbidden for consumption. This verse reinforces the extensive dietary laws given to Israel, emphasizing a broad category of land creatures that move low to the ground, designating them as deeply impure and unfit to be eaten by God's holy people.
Leviticus 11 41 Context
Leviticus chapter 11 details comprehensive laws concerning clean and unclean animals, directly instructing the Israelites on what they may or may not eat. This chapter is central to the broader theme of holiness within the book of Leviticus, which provides specific instructions for how Israel, as God's chosen people, must live set apart from the nations around them. The laws here, including 11:41, establish clear distinctions (kosher laws) to impress upon the people the absolute holiness of God and their call to reflect His character through ritual purity in their daily lives. Historically, these dietary regulations also served to culturally separate Israel from surrounding pagan nations, whose dietary practices often included consuming animals deemed unclean and sometimes in rites connected to idolatry. The designation of "abomination" (sheqets) in this verse highlights the severe impurity of these particular creatures.
Leviticus 11 41 Word analysis
- And every creeping thing: This translates the Hebrew phrase "וְכָל-הַשֶּׁרֶץ" (ve-khol-ha-sheretz).
- וְכָל (ve-khol): "and all" or "and every." This inclusive term emphasizes the complete prohibition, covering the entire category without exception.
- הַשֶּׁרֶץ (ha-sheretz): "the creeping thing" or "the swarming thing." This term generally refers to small creatures that multiply quickly and move by swarming or crawling close to the ground. It encompasses insects, reptiles (like lizards and snakes, though specific types are listed in Lev 11:29-30), amphibians, and small rodents (e.g., mice). Its very nature, perceived as low, abundant, and sometimes chaotic in movement, was seen as antithetical to the ordered and distinct nature of God's creation as reflected in clean animals.
- that creeps upon the earth: "אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁרֹץ עַל-הָאָרֶץ" (asher yishrotz al-ha-aretz).
- אֲשֶׁר (asher): "that" or "which." A relative pronoun.
- יִשְׁרֹץ (yishrotz): "it creeps," "it swarms." This verb reiterates the noun sheretz, describing the characteristic movement of these creatures – low to the ground, scurrying, or teeming. It solidifies the identity of the forbidden creatures.
- עַל-הָאָרֶץ (al-ha-aretz): "upon the earth" or "on the ground." This specifies the habitat, distinguishing them from flying creatures or aquatic ones and further emphasizes their "low" nature, constantly in contact with dust and dirt.
- is an abomination: "שֶׁקֶץ הוּא" (sheqetz hu).
- שֶׁקֶץ (sheqetz): "abomination," "detestable thing," "detestation." This is a strong word, stronger than "unclean" (tameh). It conveys revulsion and utter rejection, often associated with idolatry and morally offensive practices in other biblical contexts (e.g., Deut 7:26, 1 Kgs 11:5, Isa 66:17, Ezek 8:10). Its use here suggests that consuming such creatures is not merely a breach of ritual purity but an offense against God's nature and order, signifying something spiritually repugnant.
- הוּא (hu): "it is" or "he is." Simply the masculine singular pronoun.
- it shall not be eaten: "לֹא יֵאָכֵל" (lo ye’achel).
- לֹא (lo): "not." A clear and absolute negation.
- יֵאָכֵל (ye’achel): "it shall be eaten" (Qal passive imperfect, indicating "it is to be eaten" or "it shall be eaten"). The passive voice indicates that the act of eating it is forbidden, directly applying the prohibition to the people. This prohibition leaves no room for exception or compromise, reflecting the firm divine command.
Words-group analysis:
- "every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth": This phrase precisely defines the broad category of forbidden animals – not just swarming insects, but anything that moves low to the ground and is part of the sheretz class. It emphasizes their movement characteristic, connecting them with earthiness and dirt. This classification often linked to the serpent's curse in Gen 3:14, giving a deep symbolic layer to their inherent uncleanness.
- "is an abomination; it shall not be eaten": This pairing directly connects the inherent detestable nature of the creature (sheqetz) with the specific dietary prohibition. The strong theological term "abomination" elevates the dietary rule from a mere health guideline to a profound matter of obedience and distinction that reflects one's holiness and allegiance to God. The immediate consequence ("shall not be eaten") provides the practical instruction derived from this theological truth.
Leviticus 11 41 Bonus section
The laws regarding "creeping things" often carry symbolic weight. Creatures that crawl low to the ground, seemingly chaotic in their movement and often associated with dust and hidden places, contrasted with the ordered, majestic "clean" animals. This distinction highlighted God's preference for order, purity, and clear boundaries in His creation and in the lives of His people. Such "boundary-violating" or "disorderly" creatures were seen as antithetical to the divine pattern for purity and life. The consistent categorization of these animals as sheqetz throughout Leviticus aimed to instill in the Israelites a profound sense of God's purity and their own need for sanctification, emphasizing that what they consumed reflected their spiritual identity. This contributed to their separation, reminding them of who they were (a holy nation) and whose they were (the Lord's).
Leviticus 11 41 Commentary
Leviticus 11:41 succinctly concludes a broad category of dietary prohibitions against land-based "creeping things." The term sheretz, signifying teeming or swarming creatures that move low to the ground, is deemed sheqetz—an "abomination" or detestable thing. This choice of word elevates the prohibition beyond mere ritual uncleanness (tameh) to something deeply offensive to divine order and holiness. The underlying purpose of these laws was not solely about hygiene, but primarily served as pedagogical tools and identity markers for Israel. They distinguished God's covenant people from the surrounding nations, who often consumed a wide array of creatures, sometimes in connection with idolatrous practices. By adhering to these stringent dietary codes, Israelites were constantly reminded of their unique relationship with a holy God and their call to live consecrated lives, reflecting His pure nature. While New Covenant believers are no longer bound by these specific dietary restrictions (Acts 10, Mk 7), the principle of holiness, distinction from the world's defilement, and living in obedience to God's revealed will endures. These regulations taught spiritual discernment through physical distinctions.