(LEVITICUS 11-16) THE LAW OF CLEAN AND UNCLEAN This section deals with the subject of ceremonial uncleanness and the method of its purification. Four main types of uncleanness are referred to, viz. that of meats (Leviticus 11:1), of carcases (Leviticus 11:24), of leprosy (Leviticus 13:14), and of ce... [ Continue Reading ]
The CAMEL'S foot, though divided above, is united beneath into a broad sole.... [ Continue Reading ]
CONEY] The word means a rabbit. But the animal meant here is the rock-badger, which somewhat resembles a guinea-pig, and is common in Palestine.... [ Continue Reading ]
The HARE does not really chew the cud, but the action of its jaws resembles that of ruminants.... [ Continue Reading ]
SWINE are uncleanly in their habits and food, and the use of their flesh is believed to be the cause of certain diseases in man. The Jews still abstain from eating it.... [ Continue Reading ]
All dead bodies defile. But it should be observed that contact with a living unclean animal did not defile. The ass e.g. was unclean for food, but was the common beast of burden among the Israelites. 9-12. Water animals. The condition of cleanness here is the possession of fins and scales. It follo... [ Continue Reading ]
OSSIFRAGE] RV 'the gier eagle,' the largest of the vulture tribe. The name 'Ossifrage,' which means the 'bone-breaker,' is derived from the practice of the bird in dropping the bones of its prey from a height on to a rock so as to break them and get at the marrow. The OSPRAY is the 'shorttoed eagle,... [ Continue Reading ]
VULTURE] RV 'kite.' KITE] RV 'falcon.' AFTER HIS KIND] i.e. including others of the same species. OWL] RV 'ostrich.' CUCKOW] RV 'seamew.' SWAN] doubtful; RV has 'horned owl.' LAPWING] RY 'hoopoe,' a bird of foul habit.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOWLS THAT CREEP] Read with RV, 'All winged creeping things.' What are meant are insects and small reptiles that move horizontally, GO UPON _all_ FOUR. Four kinds of locusts are exempted and may be eaten. The locust resembles a large grasshopper, and is still eaten in the East. It is usually prepare... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTIL THE EVEN] till the close of the day. The Hebrews reckon the day from sunset to sunset.... [ Continue Reading ]
TORTOISE] Jewish authorities regarded the tortoise as a clean animal. What is meant here is probably a kind of lizard. So RV.... [ Continue Reading ]
The names here are uncertain. RV renders, 'the gecko, and the land-crocodile, and the lizard, and the sand-lizard, and the chameleon.'... [ Continue Reading ]
An earthen vessel, being porous, is supposed to absorb the uncleanness so that it cannot be removed with washing.... [ Continue Reading ]
OVEN] an earthenware jar or pot: see on Exodus 8:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
PIT] RM 'cistern.' The water in wells and reservoirs, being frequently changed, is not polluted. THAT WHICH TOUCHETH] or, 'he that toucheth.' 37, 38. The seed in growing undergoes many changes, which are supposed to throw off the uncleanness. But if the seed is wet it may be penetrated by the defil... [ Continue Reading ]
WHATSOEVER HATH MORE FEET] rather, 'hath many feet.' Insects like caterpillars and centipedes are intended.... [ Continue Reading ]
SANCTIFY] the root meaning of the Heb. words for 'sanctify,' 'hallow,' 'holy,' is that of separation: cp. Leviticus 11:47. The holiness spoken of here is rather physical than moral; but in keeping themselves free from ceremonial defilement, the people learned to avoid what is morally impure, in acco... [ Continue Reading ]