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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Leviticus 11:8 You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/leviticus/11-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/03_Lev_11_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Leviticus 11:8 - Clean and Unclean Animals" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/leviticus/11-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/leviticus/11-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/leviticus/">Leviticus</a> > <a href="/leviticus/11.htm">Chapter 11</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/leviticus/11-7.htm" title="Leviticus 11:7">◄</a> Leviticus 11:8 <a href="/leviticus/11-9.htm" title="Leviticus 11:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/leviticus/11.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/leviticus/11.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/leviticus/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />You may not eat the meat of these animals or even touch their carcasses. They are ceremonially unclean for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/leviticus/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not eat any of their flesh, and you shall not touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/leviticus/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they <i>are</i> unclean to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/leviticus/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch. They <i>are</i> unclean to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/leviticus/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />You shall not eat <i>any</i> of their flesh nor touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/leviticus/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216You shall not eat of their flesh nor touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/leviticus/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘You shall not eat of their flesh nor touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/leviticus/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />You shall not eat of their flesh, and you shall not touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/leviticus/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />You shall not eat their meat nor touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/leviticus/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not eat any of their meat or touch their carcasses—they are unclean for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/leviticus/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not eat any of their meat or touch their carcasses—they are unclean for you.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/leviticus/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Of their flesh ye shall not eat, and their carcasses ye shall not touch; they are unclean unto you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/leviticus/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Of their flesh ye shall not eat, and their carcases ye shall not touch; they are unclean unto you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/leviticus/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Never eat the meat of these animals or touch their dead bodies. They are unclean for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/leviticus/11.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do not eat these animals or even touch their dead bodies; they are unclean. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/leviticus/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You are not to eat their flesh or even touch their carcasses. They are to be unclean for you."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/leviticus/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/leviticus/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You must not eat from their meat and you must not touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/leviticus/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Of their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch; they are unclean to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/leviticus/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/leviticus/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You shall not eat their meat. You shall not touch their carcasses. They are unclean to you. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/leviticus/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You do not eat of their flesh, and you do not come against their carcass—they [are] unclean to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/leviticus/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Of their flesh ye do not eat, and against their carcase ye do not come -- unclean they are to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/leviticus/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />From their flesh ye shall not eat, and upon their carcass ye shall not touch; they are unclean to you.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/leviticus/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The flesh of these you shall not eat, nor shall you touch their carcasses, because they are unclean to you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/leviticus/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The flesh of these you shall not eat, nor shall you touch their carcasses, because they are unclean to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/leviticus/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You shall not eat their meat, and you shall not touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/leviticus/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Of their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch; they are unclean for you.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/leviticus/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Of their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcass you shall not touch; they are unclean to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/leviticus/11.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />You will not eat from their flesh and you shall not touch their carcasses; they are defiled to you.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/leviticus/11.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Of their flesh ye shall not eat, and their carcasses ye shall not touch; they are unclean unto you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/leviticus/11.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Ye shall not eat of their flesh, and ye shall not touch their carcases; these are unclean to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/leviticus/11-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NWs_V1RyMFo?start=2456" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/11.htm">Clean and Unclean Animals</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: ṯō·ḵê·lū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">You must not eat</a> <a href="/hebrew/1320.htm" title="1320: mib·bə·śā·rām (Prep-m:: N-msc:: 3mp) -- Flesh. From basar; flesh; by extension, body, person; also The pudenda of a man.">their meat</a> <a href="/hebrew/5060.htm" title="5060: ṯig·gā·‘ū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to touch, i.e. Lay the hand upon; by implication, to reach; violently, to strike.">or touch</a> <a href="/hebrew/5038.htm" title="5038: ū·ḇə·niḇ·lā·ṯām (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 3mp) -- A carcass, corpse. From nabel; a flabby thing, i.e. A carcase or carrion; figuratively, an idol.">their carcasses;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">they</a> <a href="/hebrew/2931.htm" title="2931: ṭə·mê·’îm (Adj-mp) -- Unclean. From tame'; foul in a relig. Sense.">are unclean</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- ">for you.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>Of all the creatures that live in the water, whether in the seas or in the streams, you may eat anything with fins and scales.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/14-8.htm">Deuteronomy 14:8</a></span><br />as well as the pig; though it has a divided hoof, it does not chew the cud. It is unclean for you. You must not eat its meat or touch its carcass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/65-4.htm">Isaiah 65:4</a></span><br />sitting among the graves, spending nights in secret places, eating the meat of pigs and polluted broth from their bowls.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/66-17.htm">Isaiah 66:17</a></span><br />“Those who consecrate and purify themselves to enter the groves—to follow one in the center of those who eat the flesh of swine and vermin and rats—will perish together,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/10-14.htm">Acts 10:14</a></span><br />“No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/10-28.htm">Acts 10:28</a></span><br />He said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/11-8.htm">Acts 11:8</a></span><br />‘No, Lord,’ I said, ‘for nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/14-14.htm">Romans 14:14</a></span><br />I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/4-3.htm">1 Timothy 4:3-5</a></span><br />They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. / For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, / because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/7-18.htm">Mark 7:18-19</a></span><br />“Are you still so dull?” He asked. “Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, / because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-11.htm">Matthew 15:11</a></span><br />A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-16.htm">Colossians 2:16-17</a></span><br />Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. / These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-10.htm">Hebrews 9:10</a></span><br />They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/4-14.htm">Ezekiel 4:14</a></span><br />“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have not eaten anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts. No unclean meat has ever entered my mouth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/44-23.htm">Ezekiel 44:23</a></span><br />They are to teach My people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to discern between the clean and the unclean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/9-3.htm">Hosea 9:3</a></span><br />They will not remain in the land of the LORD; Ephraim will return to Egypt and eat unclean food in Assyria.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Of their flesh shall you not eat, and their carcass shall you not touch; they are unclean to you.</p><p class="hdg">they are unclean</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/5-2.htm">Leviticus 5:2</a></b></br> Or if a soul touch any unclean thing, whether <i>it be</i> a carcase of an unclean beast, or a carcase of unclean cattle, or the carcase of unclean creeping things, and <i>if</i> it be hidden from him; he also shall be unclean, and guilty.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/52-11.htm">Isaiah 52:11</a></b></br> Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean <i>thing</i>; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/9-3.htm">Hosea 9:3</a></b></br> They shall not dwell in the LORD'S land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean <i>things</i> in Assyria.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/30-32.htm">Bodies</a> <a href="/leviticus/7-24.htm">Carcase</a> <a href="/leviticus/5-2.htm">Carcass</a> <a href="/leviticus/5-2.htm">Carcasses</a> <a href="/leviticus/7-24.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-4.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-7.htm">Food</a> <a href="/leviticus/10-12.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/leviticus/7-21.htm">Touch</a> <a href="/leviticus/7-19.htm">Touched</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-7.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/leviticus/7-24.htm">Used</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/11-11.htm">Bodies</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-11.htm">Carcase</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-24.htm">Carcass</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-11.htm">Carcasses</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-11.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-11.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-9.htm">Food</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-11.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-31.htm">Touch</a> <a href="/leviticus/12-4.htm">Touched</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-24.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-9.htm">Used</a><div class="vheading2">Leviticus 11</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/11-1.htm">What animals may be eaten</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/11-4.htm">and what may not be eaten</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/11-9.htm">What fishes</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/11-13.htm">What fowls</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/11-29.htm">The creeping things which are unclean</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/leviticus/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/leviticus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/leviticus/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You must not eat their meat</b><br>This command is part of the dietary laws given to the Israelites, distinguishing between clean and unclean animals. These laws served to set Israel apart from other nations, emphasizing holiness and obedience to God. The prohibition against eating certain meats is rooted in the covenant relationship between God and Israel, highlighting the importance of purity and separation from pagan practices. In the New Testament, Jesus declares all foods clean (<a href="/mark/7-18.htm">Mark 7:18-19</a>), symbolizing the new covenant and the inclusion of Gentiles into God's people.<p><b>or touch their carcasses;</b><br>Touching the carcasses of unclean animals rendered a person ceremonially unclean, requiring purification rituals. This reflects the broader biblical theme of holiness, where contact with death or impurity necessitates cleansing. The emphasis on avoiding defilement underscores the need for spiritual purity and the separation from sin. In the New Testament, the concept of spiritual cleanliness is expanded, with believers called to be holy in all conduct (<a href="/1_peter/1-15.htm">1 Peter 1:15-16</a>).<p><b>they are unclean for you.</b><br>The designation of certain animals as unclean is a divine ordinance, not based on health or hygiene, but on God's sovereign choice. This distinction teaches the Israelites about the nature of sin and the need for discernment in their daily lives. The unclean animals symbolize spiritual impurity, reminding the Israelites of their call to be a holy nation. In the New Testament, the focus shifts from external observance to internal purity, with Jesus emphasizing the importance of the heart (<a href="/matthew/15-11.htm">Matthew 15:11</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The primary human author of Leviticus, who received the laws from God to instruct the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, to whom the laws of clean and unclean animals were given.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The place where God delivered the laws to Moses, including dietary laws.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/clean_and_unclean_animals.htm">Clean and Unclean Animals</a></b><br>Categories of animals defined by God, distinguishing what the Israelites could and could not eat.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a></b><br>The setting where the Israelites received these laws during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_separation.htm">Holiness and Separation</a></b><br>The dietary laws were a means to set the Israelites apart as a holy nation. As Christians, we are called to live distinct lives that reflect God's holiness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a></b><br>The Israelites were required to obey God's laws as an act of faith and trust. Similarly, Christians are called to obey God's Word, trusting in His wisdom and sovereignty.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_purity.htm">Symbolism of Purity</a></b><br>The concept of clean and unclean animals symbolizes the importance of spiritual purity. Christians are encouraged to pursue purity in thought, word, and deed.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_and_historical_context.htm">Cultural and Historical Context</a></b><br>Understanding the historical context of these laws helps us appreciate their significance for the Israelites and their fulfillment in Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/freedom_in_christ.htm">Freedom in Christ</a></b><br>While the dietary laws were specific to the Israelites, Christians are reminded of their freedom in Christ, who has fulfilled the law and offers a new covenant of grace.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_leviticus_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 11</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/keep_oil_and_wine_unharmed.htm">Why is beef consumption considered controversial or problematic?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_pork.htm">What is the Bible's stance on eating pork?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_deuteronomy_14_8_ban_pork.htm">Deuteronomy 14:8 forbids eating pork, but it is consumed safely today. What is the rationale behind this prohibition?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_foods_are_mentioned_in_the_bible.htm">What foods are mentioned in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/leviticus/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">Of their flesh ye shall not eat.</span>--During the second Temple the prohibition was defined to extend to the smallest quantity. If any one ate a piece of flesh less even than the size of an olive he was chastised with stripes.<p><span class= "bld">And their carcase shall ye not touch.</span>--As contact with a human dead body, which was regarded as the most defiling of all, was only forbidden to the priests (see <a href="/context/leviticus/21-1.htm" title="And the LORD said to Moses, Speak to the priests the sons of Aaron, and say to them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people:">Leviticus 21:1-3</a>), hence the prohibition here addressed to the whole nation was interpreted during the second Temple to apply simply to the occasions when the Israelites came to Jerusalem on the pilgrimage festivals. Contact with a carcase of an unclean animal on these visits precluded the worshipper from entering the sanctuary, from touching sacred things, and from partaking of the sacrificial meats.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/leviticus/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Of their carcass shall ye not touch.</span> This prohibition is founded upon the same feeling of disgust as the prohibition of eating their flesh. Whatever is foal must be avoided. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/leviticus/11-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">You must not eat</span><br /><span class="heb">תֹאכֵ֔לוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ṯō·ḵê·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their meat</span><br /><span class="heb">מִבְּשָׂרָם֙</span> <span class="translit">(mib·bə·śā·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1320.htm">Strong's 1320: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or touch</span><br /><span class="heb">תִגָּ֑עוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ṯig·gā·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5060.htm">Strong's 5060: </a> </span><span class="str2">To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their carcasses;</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְנִבְלָתָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·niḇ·lā·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5038.htm">Strong's 5038: </a> </span><span class="str2">A flabby thing, a carcase, carrion, an idol</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(hêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are unclean for you.</span><br /><span class="heb">טְמֵאִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(ṭə·mê·’îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2931.htm">Strong's 2931: </a> </span><span class="str2">Unclean</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/leviticus/11-8.htm">Leviticus 11:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/leviticus/11-8.htm">Leviticus 11:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/leviticus/11-8.htm">Leviticus 11:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/leviticus/11-8.htm">Leviticus 11:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/leviticus/11-8.htm">Leviticus 11:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/leviticus/11-8.htm">Leviticus 11:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/leviticus/11-8.htm">Leviticus 11:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/leviticus/11-8.htm">Leviticus 11:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/leviticus/11-8.htm">Leviticus 11:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/leviticus/11-8.htm">Leviticus 11:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/leviticus/11-8.htm">OT Law: Leviticus 11:8 Of their flesh you shall not eat (Le Lv Lev.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/leviticus/11-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Leviticus 11:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Leviticus 11:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/leviticus/11-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Leviticus 11:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Leviticus 11:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>