Leviticus 11:1-23

Leviticus 11:1-23 [51]. The Distinction between Clean and Unclean Food

[51] For the sources from which this ch. comes, and its relation from a critical point of view to Deuteronomy 14:3 ff. see App. I (c), pp. 162 f.

One principle underlying this distinction appears to have been that animals which were recognised as in any way objects of worship by heathen neighbours, or even supposed by them to be connected with unseen supernatural beings, were to be considered unclean. See Bertholet in KHC., introd. note to this ch. But in other cases the prohibition probably rested on the animal's repulsive appearance or uncleanly habits, or on sanitary or totemistic grounds. See Driver, Deut.p. 164, and Rob.-Sm. OTJC. 2 p. 366.

A list of animals which may and may not be eaten is given in Deuteronomy 14:3-20; it has close verbal affinity with Leviticus 11:2 of this ch. The two passages are placed side by side in Driver (ICC.) Deut.P. 157 f.

Both lists are divided into classes:

(a) Beasts Leviticus 11:2. Cp. Deuteronomy 14:3-8

Deut. enumerates three domestic, and seven wild animals, as clean beasts which may be eaten. Lev. does not mention the clean beasts, but both give their two distinguishing marks -Whatsoever parteth the hoof … andcheweth the cud," and specify the same four beasts which have not both of these marks as unclean. Lev. is more diffuse, but employs the same expressions as Deut.

(b) Fishes Leviticus 11:9. Cp. Deuteronomy 14:9-10

The same criterion of cleanness, having -scales and fins," is given both in Lev. and Deut., but Lev. is more diffuse, and introduces a word (Heb. shéḳeẓ) detestation, used frequently in this ch., also in Leviticus 7:21, and Isaiah 66:17; Ezekiel 8:10. Another and commoner form (shiḳḳuẓ) occurs in Deuteronomy 29:16. No fish is mentioned by name, and the distinction between clean and unclean fishes in particular cases was determined by the Jewish rabbis.

(c) Birds Leviticus 11:13. Cp. Deuteronomy 14:11-18

Deut. begins with -Of all clean birds ye may eat" (Leviticus 11:11), but does not give a list like that of clean beasts. The forbidden birds are almost identical in both.

(d) Winged swarming things Leviticus 11:20. Cp. Deuteronomy 14:19-20

Lev. adds -that go upon all four" (Leviticus 11:20), and in Leviticus 11:21 gives a list of winged swarming things that may be eaten (those that -leap"), repeating in Leviticus 11:23 the prohibition of Leviticus 11:20. Deut. concludes the list with -of all clean fowls (the same Heb. word as for -winged things") ye may eat" (Leviticus 14:20), but gives no list.