Leviticus 11 43

Leviticus 11:43 kjv

Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby.

Leviticus 11:43 nkjv

You shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creeps; nor shall you make yourselves unclean with them, lest you be defiled by them.

Leviticus 11:43 niv

Do not defile yourselves by any of these creatures. Do not make yourselves unclean by means of them or be made unclean by them.

Leviticus 11:43 esv

You shall not make yourselves detestable with any swarming thing that swarms, and you shall not defile yourselves with them, and become unclean through them.

Leviticus 11:43 nlt

Do not defile yourselves by touching them. You must not make yourselves ceremonially unclean because of them.

Leviticus 11 verses

Leviticus 11 43 Meaning

Leviticus 11:43 prohibits the Israelites from making themselves detestable or defiling themselves by contact with, or consumption of, any swarming creatures. It explicitly warns that such actions would render them ritually unclean. This verse reinforces the command for God's people to maintain purity and separation, reflecting the holiness of God Himself, a foundational theme throughout the book of Leviticus.

Leviticus 11 43 Context

Leviticus chapter 11 lays out the laws concerning clean and unclean animals, primarily focusing on dietary regulations, but also extending to the uncleanness incurred by contact with carcasses of forbidden animals. These detailed laws were foundational to Israel's identity as a holy nation, separate from the surrounding pagan cultures whose practices often involved the consumption of many of the animals God declared unclean. Historically, these distinctions taught Israel obedience to God's specific commands, fostered a heightened awareness of sin and ritual purity, and symbolized the pervasive nature of God's desire for holiness in all aspects of their lives. Verse 43, along with 44 and 45, serves as the theological climax of the chapter, explicitly connecting the physical distinctions of clean and unclean to the call for Israel to "be holy, for I am holy." This indicates that the purpose was not merely health or hygiene, but profoundly theological and identity-forming.

Leviticus 11 43 Word analysis

• "You shall not make yourselves detestable":

  • וְלֹא תְשַׁקְּצוּ אֶת־נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם (ve'lo teshaktsu et-nafshotechem)
  • תְשַׁקְּצוּ (teshaktsu): From the root שֶׁקֶץ (sheqets), meaning "abominable thing," "detestable thing," "filthy thing." This is a very strong term in Hebrew, implying something repugnant, abhorrent, and religiously offensive, especially when associated with idolatry or that which defies God's order. The verb form implies actively "making something detestable" or "acting abominably." The "yourselves" (אֶת־נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם - et-nafshotechem, lit. "your souls/persons") indicates a profound internal and spiritual defilement resulting from external actions. It is a direct prohibition against a volitional act that would bring spiritual disgrace upon oneself.

• "with any swarming thing that swarms":

  • בְּכָל־הַשֶּׁרֶץ הַשֹּׁרֵץ (b'khol-hasherets hashorets)
  • שֶּׁרֶץ (sherets): "Swarming thing," "creeping thing," or "reptile." This term specifically refers to small creatures that move by teeming or crawling on the ground (e.g., certain insects, rodents, reptiles). The repetition of the root שֶׁרֶץ (sherets) as noun and participle emphasizes the very nature of these creatures. Theologically, these animals often represented categories that blurred the divinely ordained order of creation (e.g., creatures that don't clearly walk, fly, or swim, but seem to scurry indiscriminately). Their uncleanness signified their being outside the ideal categories God established, thus being unfit for human consumption by God's holy people.

• "and you shall not defile yourselves with them":

  • וְלֹא תִטַּמְּאוּ בָּהֶם (v'lo titamma'u bahem)
  • תִטַּמְּאוּ (titamma'u): From the root טָמֵא (tame), meaning "to be unclean," "to defile," "to pollute." This refers to ritual or ceremonial uncleanness, which separated a person from full participation in the tabernacle worship and community. It denotes a state of impurity that required specific purification rituals to re-enter God's presence. The prohibition here is direct: avoid active contamination.

• "lest you become unclean thereby":

  • וְנִטְמֵתֶם בָּם (v'nitmetem bam)
  • וְנִטְמֵתֶם (v'nitmetem): Also from the root טָמֵא (tame), but in a passive form. This phrase expresses the inevitable consequence: if you "defile yourselves" (active), you "will become unclean" (passive result). It functions as a warning, emphasizing the direct and unavoidable link between the forbidden action and the state of ritual impurity. It underscores that engaging with such creatures, either by consumption or contact (as inferred from the broader chapter), directly translates into defilement for the individual.

• Word-Group Analysis: The verse employs a powerful double negative and a repeated warning of becoming unclean ("not make yourselves detestable... not defile yourselves... lest you become unclean"). This rhetorical emphasis underscores the seriousness of the prohibition and the clear, inevitable consequence of transgression. The strong terms "detestable" (שֶׁקֶץ) and "defile" (טָמֵא) are strategically chosen to highlight not merely a hygienic issue, but a profound theological and moral distinction critical for a holy people dedicated to a holy God.

Leviticus 11 43 Bonus section

The specific focus on "swarming things" in this verse, coupled with other Levitical laws, is often understood as part of a larger symbolic system reinforcing cosmic order. Swarming creatures—lacking clear forms of locomotion (walking, swimming, flying)—are sometimes viewed as ambiguous, blurring boundaries, or representing disorder within the established categories of creation. Therefore, avoiding them emphasized the Israelites' commitment to a God of order, who distinguished and categorized His creation.

Furthermore, these purity laws, though ritualistic, served as pedagogical tools. They cultivated a constant awareness of impurity and the need for divine cleansing, thereby prefiguring the deeper reality of human sinfulness and the ultimate need for spiritual cleansing through atonement, which culminates in Christ's sacrificial work. The call to holiness remains central for believers, transforming from outward, ceremonial observances to an inner transformation and separation from sin's defilements.

Leviticus 11 43 Commentary

Leviticus 11:43 encapsulates a fundamental principle of the Mosaic Law: the pursuit of holiness through separation. While outwardly addressing dietary and purity regulations concerning "swarming things," the deeper message concerns Israel's identity as a people set apart for God. Eating or even touching these creatures was deemed an active "making oneself detestable" and "defiling oneself," not merely an incidental contact with an undesirable animal. The choice of language—"detestable" (שֶׁקֶץ, sheqets)—is particularly strong, implying a deep theological revulsion beyond mere distaste. It reflects the idea that what is unclean is repugnant to God and antithetical to the order He desires for His creation and His people. The rationale for these laws is directly stated in the verses immediately following (Lev 11:44-45): "For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy." This foundational command shifts the focus from the creature itself to the character of the worshipers.

The detailed rules of clean and unclean taught the Israelites several lessons: a pervasive awareness of God's presence and requirements in daily life, obedience to God's specific commands, and their distinct identity as God's covenant people. In the New Covenant, the literal ceremonial restrictions on foods like those mentioned in Leviticus are declared fulfilled in Christ (Mk 7:19; Acts 10:13-15; Col 2:16-17). However, the underlying spiritual principles of holiness, separation from evil, and the rejection of what is spiritually "detestable" or "defiling" (e.g., idolatry, immorality, false teaching) remain profoundly relevant (1 Pet 1:15-16; 2 Cor 6:17; Rev 21:27). For believers today, while food does not defile, actions that dishonor God and corrupt the spirit (such as participation in sinful practices or association with unholy influences) truly make one "unclean" in a spiritual sense, necessitating spiritual cleansing through repentance and faith in Christ.