Leviticus 11:47 kjv
To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.
Leviticus 11:47 nkjv
to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, and between the animal that may be eaten and the animal that may not be eaten.' "
Leviticus 11:47 niv
You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between living creatures that may be eaten and those that may not be eaten.'?"
Leviticus 11:47 esv
to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean and between the living creature that may be eaten and the living creature that may not be eaten.
Leviticus 11:47 nlt
By these instructions you will know what is unclean and clean, and which animals may be eaten and which may not be eaten."
Leviticus 11 47 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 10:10 | "...distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean..." | Priests' role in discernment |
| Lev 11:45 | "...be holy, for I am holy." | God's command to be holy |
| Lev 20:25 | "Thus you shall make a distinction between the clean beast and the unclean..." | Reiteration of clean/unclean distinction |
| Deut 14:3-20 | "You shall not eat any abominable thing... [lists clean and unclean animals]" | Deuteronomy's version of dietary laws |
| Ezek 22:26 | "...have not distinguished between the holy and the common, neither have they shown people the difference between the unclean and the clean..." | Prophets rebuking lack of distinction |
| Ezek 44:23 | "They shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the common, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean." | Priests' future duty to teach discernment |
| Isa 52:11 | "...Depart, depart, go out from there... Be clean, you who bear the vessels of the LORD." | Call to purity and separation |
| Mal 3:18 | "...Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him." | Future discernment of spiritual states |
| Matt 15:11 | "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth..." | Jesus shifts focus from outward food to heart |
| Mark 7:19 | "...Thus He declared all foods clean." | Jesus abolishes ceremonial food laws |
| Acts 10:15 | "What God has cleansed, you must not call common." | Peter's vision, end of dietary restrictions |
| Rom 14:14 | "I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself..." | No food is intrinsically defiling |
| Rom 14:17 | "For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." | True kingdom is spiritual, not ritual |
| 1 Cor 8:8 | "But food does not commend us to God..." | Food has no spiritual merit |
| Col 2:16-17 | "Therefore let no one judge you in food or in drink... which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ." | Food laws are fulfilled in Christ |
| 1 Tim 4:3-5 | "...forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from foods which God created..." | God's creation is good to be received with thanks |
| Titus 1:15 | "To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure..." | Purity is a matter of the heart |
| Heb 9:9-10 | "...consisting only of foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation." | Old covenant laws were temporary |
| 1 Pet 1:15 | "...as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct..." | General call to holistic holiness |
| 2 Cor 6:17 | "Therefore 'Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord; do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.'" | Call for spiritual separation from defilement |
| Heb 5:14 | "But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." | Spiritual discernment |
| Phil 1:9-10 | "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more... that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ..." | Moral discernment and approval of excellence |
| Rev 21:27 | "...but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life." | No unclean thing in new heaven/earth |
Leviticus 11 verses
Leviticus 11 47 Meaning
Leviticus 11:47 serves as a conclusive summary of the chapter's detailed regulations concerning clean and unclean animals, specifically for consumption. It succinctly states the core purpose behind the dietary laws: to enable the Israelites to discern and practically distinguish between what God declared ritually impure (unclean) and permissible (clean). This distinction was vital for maintaining their covenantal holiness, setting them apart as God's chosen people, and instructing them on discerning God's will in all aspects of life, particularly regarding what they could ingest.
Leviticus 11 47 Context
Leviticus 11:47 concludes an extended passage (Lev 11:1-47) detailing specific laws regarding animals permitted or forbidden for consumption, as well as rules for purity if one touched their carcasses. This chapter, within the broader book of Leviticus, highlights God's demand for holiness and purity among His covenant people, Israel. These laws were not merely arbitrary rules but served as constant reminders for the Israelites of their unique identity as a holy nation, separated from the surrounding nations who consumed all manner of creatures and practiced ritual systems deemed defiling by Yahweh. The laws established a tangible boundary, teaching discernment and reflecting God's orderly and pure nature, emphasizing that communion with a holy God required a life marked by purity in every sphere.
Leviticus 11 47 Word analysis
To make a distinction: The Hebrew term is lehavdil (לְהַבְדִּיל), from the root badal, meaning "to separate," "to divide," "to set apart." This foundational concept is seen from creation itself, where God separated light from darkness (Gen 1:4). In the context of the Law, it underscores the divine authority to define what is set apart for God (holy/clean) versus what is not (common/unclean). It's an active process of discerning and applying God's defined categories.
between the unclean and the clean:
- unclean: Hebrew tame (טָמֵא). This refers to a state of ritual impurity or defilement. It did not necessarily mean something was morally evil or physically diseased, but rather that it was ceremonially unfit for consumption, for participation in worship, or for direct proximity to sacred things. It signifies a state of being set apart from God's presence or use, in a negative sense.
- clean: Hebrew tahor (טָהוֹר). This signifies ritual purity, permissibility, and fitness for God's presence, for sacred service, or for consumption. It indicates a state of being set apart for God's presence or use. The distinction was fundamental to the Old Covenant's understanding of holiness and access to God.
and between the living creature: The Hebrew is u'vein hachayyah (וּבֵין הַחַיָּה), referring broadly to any living thing. Here, it specifically denotes the animals covered by the preceding dietary laws.
that may be eaten: The Hebrew ha'ne'echeleth (הַנֶּאֱכֶלֶת) directly means "that which is eaten" or "may be eaten," referring to permissible foods.
and the living creature that may not be eaten: The Hebrew v'vein hachayyah asher lo' te'achel (וּבֵין הַחַיָּה אֲשֶׁר לֹא תֵּאָכֵל) explicitly states "and between the living creature that will not be eaten," denoting the forbidden foods.
Words-group analysis:
- "To make a distinction between the unclean and the clean": This phrase captures the essence of the entire purity system. It's about establishing clear divine boundaries. This command for "distinction" permeates Israel's entire covenant relationship with God, extending beyond diet to include moral, ethical, and spiritual discernment, aiming to reflect God's ordered and holy character.
- "and between the living creature that may be eaten and the living creature that may not be eaten": This explicitly states the practical, tangible application of the clean/unclean distinction in the daily life of an Israelite—namely, through what they consumed. It frames the entire preceding chapter as an instructional guide for maintaining ritual purity through dietary adherence.
Leviticus 11 47 Bonus section
The detailed regulations of Leviticus 11, summarized by verse 47, instilled in Israel the importance of discernment (Heb 5:14) – a capacity to distinguish not only between different types of food but ultimately between sacred and common, holy and unholy, good and evil (Ezek 44:23). While these specific food laws were abrogated or fulfilled in Christ (Mk 7:19, Acts 10:15), their underlying principle of God calling His people to be separate and holy, to make careful distinctions in life that align with His character, remains timeless for believers. It teaches that one's daily choices reflect their relationship with God.
Leviticus 11 47 Commentary
Leviticus 11:47 articulates the overarching theological purpose of the elaborate dietary laws detailed in the preceding verses. More than just hygienic advice, these commandments served as a profound object lesson for Israel's identity and calling as a holy nation set apart by God (Exod 19:6). The mandate to "make a distinction" reflected God's own nature as an orderly and distinct Creator who separates and sanctifies. By rigorously adhering to these distinctions in their daily lives, the Israelites were continually reminded of their unique relationship with a holy God and their obligation to mirror His holiness. The dietary laws taught discipline, obedience, and a tangible understanding of purity that permeated their consciousness, urging them to discern what was spiritually acceptable or unacceptable in all areas of life, not just food.