CINXE.COM

<!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 11:30 the gecko, the monitor lizard, the common lizard, the skink, and the chameleon.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/leviticus/11-30.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/03_Lev_11_30.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Leviticus 11:30 - Clean and Unclean Animals" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="the gecko, the monitor lizard, the common lizard, the skink, and the chameleon." /><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/11-30.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/11-30.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 30</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="/ad10.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/11-29.htm" title="Leviticus 11:29">◄</a> Leviticus 11:30 <a href="/leviticus/11-31.htm" title="Leviticus 11:31">►</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 />the gecko, the monitor lizard, the wall lizard, the skink and the chameleon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/leviticus/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />the gecko, the monitor lizard, the common lizard, the sand lizard, and the chameleon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/leviticus/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />the gecko, the monitor lizard, the lizard, the sand lizard, and the chameleon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />the gecko, the monitor lizard, the common lizard, the skink, and the chameleon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/leviticus/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/leviticus/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />the gecko, the monitor lizard, the sand reptile, the sand lizard, and the chameleon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/leviticus/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />the gecko, the crocodile, the lizard, the sand reptile, and the chameleon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/leviticus/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and the gecko, and the crocodile, and the lizard, and the sand reptile, and the chameleon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/leviticus/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and the gecko, and the crocodile, and the lizard, and the sand reptile, and the chameleon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/leviticus/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and the gecko and the crocodile and the lizard and the sand reptile and the chameleon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/leviticus/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />the gecko, the crocodile, the lizard, the sand reptile, and the chameleon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/leviticus/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />geckos, monitor lizards, common lizards, skinks, and chameleons.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/leviticus/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />the gecko, the monitor lizard, the common lizard, the skink, and the chameleon. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/leviticus/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and the gecko, and the land-crocodile, and the lizard, and the sand-lizard, and the chameleon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/leviticus/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and the gecko, and the land-crocodile, and the lizard, and the sand-lizard, and the chameleon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/leviticus/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />geckos, monitors, lizards, skinks, and chameleons.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/leviticus/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />the gecko, crocodile, lizard, sand lizard, and chameleon. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/leviticus/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />the gecko, the monitor lizard, the common lizard, the skink, and the chameleon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/leviticus/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />the Mediterranean gecko, the spotted lizard, the wall gecko, the skink, and the chameleon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/leviticus/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />the gecko, and the monitor lizard, the wall lizard, the skink, and the chameleon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/leviticus/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the ferret and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/leviticus/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />the gecko, and the monitor lizard, the wall lizard, the skink, and the chameleon. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/leviticus/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and the gecko [[or ferret]], and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/leviticus/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/leviticus/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The shrew mouse, and the chameleon, and the salamander, and the snail and the mole.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/leviticus/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The shrew, and the chameleon, and the stello, and the lizard, and the mole: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/leviticus/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />the shrew, and the chameleon, and the gecko, and the lizard, and the mole.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/leviticus/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />the gecko, the spotted lizard, the agama, the skink, and the chameleon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/leviticus/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />the gecko, the land crocodile, the lizard, the sand lizard, and the chameleon.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/leviticus/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the ferret, and the mole, the yellow lizard, and the chameleon, and the snail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/leviticus/11.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the lizard and the mole and the newt and the chameleon and the centipede.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/leviticus/11.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />and the gecko, and the land-crocodile, and the lizard, and the sand-lizard, and the chameleon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/leviticus/11.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />the ferret, and the chameleon, and the evet, and the newt, and the mole.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/leviticus/11-30.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=2605" 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">29</span>The following creatures that move along the ground are unclean for you: the mole, the mouse, any kind of great lizard, <span class="reftext">30</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/604.htm" title="604: wə·hā·’ă·nā·qāh (Conj-w, Art:: N-fs) -- A ferret, shrewmouse. The same as 'anaqah; some kind of lizard, probably the gecko.">the gecko,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3581.htm" title="3581: wə·hak·kō·aḥ (Conj-w, Art:: N-ms) -- Or kowach; from an unused root meaning to be firm; vigor, literally or figuratively; also a large lizard.">the monitor lizard,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3911.htm" title="3911: wə·hal·lə·ṭā·’āh (Conj-w, Art:: N-fs) -- (a kind of) lizard. From an unused root meaning to hide; a kind of lizard.">the common lizard,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2546.htm" title="2546: wə·ha·ḥō·meṭ (Conj-w, Art:: N-ms) -- (a kind of) lizard. From an unused root probably meaning, to lie low; a lizard.">the skink,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8580.htm" title="8580: wə·hat·tin·šā·meṯ (Conj-w, Art:: N-fs) -- (an animal) perhaps owl, chameleon. ">and the chameleon.</a> </span><span class="reftext">31</span>These animals are unclean for you among all the crawling creatures. Whoever touches them when they are dead shall be unclean until evening.…<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="/acts/10-12.htm">Acts 10:12-15</a></span><br />It contained all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, as well as birds of the air. / Then a voice said to him: “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!” / “No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” ...<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="/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="/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="/1_timothy/4-4.htm">1 Timothy 4:4-5</a></span><br />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="/genesis/1-24.htm">Genesis 1:24-25</a></span><br />And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, land crawlers, and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. / God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that crawls upon the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/14-7.htm">Deuteronomy 14:7-8</a></span><br />But of those that chew the cud or have a completely divided hoof, you are not to eat the following: the camel, the rabbit, or the rock badger. Although they chew the cud, they do not have a divided hoof. They are unclean for you, / 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/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="/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="/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="/1_corinthians/10-25.htm">1 Corinthians 10:25-26</a></span><br />Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, / for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/7-2.htm">Genesis 7:2-3</a></span><br />You are to take with you seven pairs of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate; a pair of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate; / and seven pairs of every kind of bird of the air, male and female, to preserve their offspring on the face of all the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/14-19.htm">Deuteronomy 14:19-20</a></span><br />All flying insects are unclean for you; they may not be eaten. / But you may eat any clean bird.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-28.htm">Acts 15:28-29</a></span><br />It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements: / You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/14-20.htm">Romans 14:20</a></span><br />Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to let his eating be a stumbling block.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/songs/2-8.htm">Climbing</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-29.htm">Great</a> <a href="/exodus/6-5.htm">Groaning</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-29.htm">Lizard</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-29.htm">Mole</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-14.htm">Red</a> <a href="/james/3-7.htm">Reptile</a> <a href="/exodus/2-12.htm">Sand</a> <a href="/psalms/58-8.htm">Snail</a> <a href="/leviticus/5-9.htm">Wall</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_chronicles/20-16.htm">Climbing</a> <a href="/leviticus/14-14.htm">Great</a> <a href="/judges/2-18.htm">Groaning</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-28.htm">Lizard</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-29.htm">Mole</a> <a href="/leviticus/13-19.htm">Red</a> <a href="/acts/28-5.htm">Reptile</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-10.htm">Sand</a> <a href="/psalms/58-8.htm">Snail</a> <a href="/leviticus/14-37.htm">Wall</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>the gecko</b><br>In <a href="/leviticus/11-30.htm">Leviticus 11:30</a>, the gecko is listed among the unclean animals. Geckos are small lizards found in warm climates, including the Middle East. Their inclusion in the list of unclean animals reflects the broader Levitical concern with distinguishing between clean and unclean, a theme that underscores the holiness required of God's people. The gecko's nocturnal habits and ability to cling to surfaces might have contributed to its perception as unclean, symbolizing hidden or clinging sin that must be avoided.<p><b>the monitor lizard</b><br>The monitor lizard, a larger reptile, is also deemed unclean. These lizards are known for their strength and predatory nature. In the ancient Near East, they were likely seen as formidable creatures. Their unclean status may symbolize the need to avoid spiritual predators or influences that could lead believers away from God's commandments. The monitor lizard's presence in the list serves as a reminder of the vigilance required to maintain spiritual purity.<p><b>the common lizard</b><br>The common lizard represents the everyday, ordinary creatures that the Israelites would encounter. Its inclusion highlights that even familiar and seemingly harmless animals can be unclean. This serves as a metaphor for the subtle ways in which impurity can infiltrate daily life. The common lizard's mention encourages believers to be mindful of their surroundings and the influences they allow into their lives, echoing the call to holiness found throughout Leviticus.<p><b>the skink</b><br>Skinks are smooth, shiny lizards that are often found in desert regions. Their unclean status may be linked to their habitat, as deserts were often associated with desolation and spiritual barrenness in biblical literature. The skink's presence in the list can be seen as a warning against spiritual dryness and the importance of remaining connected to the life-giving presence of God. This connection is further emphasized in the New Testament, where Jesus is described as the living water.<p><b>and the chameleon</b><br>The chameleon, known for its ability to change color, is the final creature listed. Its unique characteristic of adaptation may symbolize the dangers of spiritual compromise or hypocrisy. The chameleon's inclusion serves as a caution against conforming to the world or altering one's beliefs to fit in. This aligns with the biblical call to be transformed by the renewing of the mind, as stated in <a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a>, and to maintain a steadfast commitment to God's truth.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The author of Leviticus, who received the laws from God to instruct the Israelites on how to live a holy life.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The recipients of the Levitical laws, called to be a holy nation set apart for God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/w/wilderness.htm">Wilderness</a></b><br>The setting where the Israelites received the law, emphasizing their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/u/unclean_animals.htm">Unclean Animals</a></b><br>Specific reptiles mentioned in this verse that were considered unclean and not to be eaten by the Israelites.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_code.htm">Holiness Code</a></b><br>The broader context of Leviticus, which includes laws about purity, worship, and ethical living.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_holiness.htm">Understanding Holiness</a></b><br>The dietary laws in Leviticus, including the prohibition of certain reptiles, were given to teach the Israelites about holiness and separation from pagan practices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_purity.htm">Symbolism of Purity</a></b><br>The distinction between clean and unclean animals symbolizes the need for spiritual purity and discernment in the believer's life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_context.htm">Cultural Context</a></b><br>Recognize the cultural and historical context of these laws, which were specific to the Israelites and their covenant relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/n/new_covenant_freedom.htm">New Covenant Freedom</a></b><br>Under the New Covenant, Christians are not bound by these dietary laws, but the principle of living a holy life remains.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_discernment.htm">Spiritual Discernment</a></b><br>Just as the Israelites were to discern between clean and unclean, Christians are called to discern between what is spiritually beneficial and what is not.<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/how_does_2_chr_30_17-20_fit_with_ot_laws.htm">How does the acceptance of ritually unclean participants in 2 Chronicles 30:17-20 fit with strict purification laws found elsewhere in the Old Testament?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_a_sacred_vow_exchangeable.htm">Leviticus 27:9-10: Why would a sacred vow be transferable or exchangeable if the offering is truly consecrated to God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_isaiah_52_11_conflict_with_ot_laws.htm">Could Isaiah 52:11's exhortation for ritual purity conflict with other Old Testament laws that detail different cleansing practices?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_manage_sacrifices_in_2_chron_30_24.htm">In 2 Chronicles 30:24, how could authorities practically handle the huge numbers of sacrifices without facing sanitary or organizational challenges?</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>(30) <span class= "bld">And the ferret.</span>--The ancient legal authorities explain this name (<span class= "ital">anakah</span>)<span class= "ital">, </span>which only occurs here in the Hebrew Scriptures, by <span class= "ital">kipor </span>or <span class= "ital">kipod, </span>"an animal whose body is entirely covered with sharp prickles, and when touched the creature draws in its legs and rolls itself up in a ball." Its skin in ancient days was tied round the udder of cows to prevent other reptiles sucking out their milk. There can, therefore, be no doubt that the administrators of the law took it to be the hedgehog. Some ancient versions, however, render it by shrew mouse, whilst some modern expositors make it the gecko.<p><span class= "bld">And the chameleon.</span>--The ancient versions agree that by this animal (<span class= "ital">khoach</span>)<span class= "ital">, </span>which denotes "strength," and which occurs nowhere else in the Bible as the name of a reptile, is meant the chameleon. Its power of enduring for a long time without food, which led the ancients to believe that it entirely subsisted upon air, may be the cause both of its Hebrew name (as specified above), and the name chameleon, <span class= "ital">i.e., </span>"a lion on the ground," a reptile with the strength of a lion, The belief that it lives upon the air had also given rise to its Aramaic name in the time of Christ (<span class= "ital">zekitha</span>)<span class= "ital">, </span>which denotes the animal that fills itself with air. The perplexity which the administrators of the law experienced about its food, and the time of feeding this creature, may be gathered from the story in the Talmud attributed to one of the sons of Noah, of what happened in the Ark. Sem, the son of Noah, said, "We had much trouble with the chameleon, for whilst we fed the day animals by day and the night animals by night, we did not know what the chameleon fed on. One day, however, I broke open a pomegranate, and a worm fell out of it, which the creature immediately devoured. Afterwards I pounded together fruit, and when it bred maggots the chameleon ate them." The common chameleon is found in Syria and Palestine, and some eastern tribes believe that its flesh when eaten boiled is a remedy for leanness, and if eaten dry cures fever. In Spain chameleons are kept in rooms to destroy troublesome flies.<p><span class= "bld">And the lizard.</span>--Though the ancient authorities agree that the creature here named (<span class= "ital">l'taah</span>) is lizard, yet the description which the administrators of the law give of it, does not enable us to define the species to which it belongs. The characteristics which they give of the lizard are as follows: It has a thick though soft and smooth skin, and lays eggs in which the yolk and the white are not separated. Its tail when cut off will move for some time afterwards, and the creature itself when apparently dead will sometimes revive by pouring cold water over it.<p><span class= "bld">And the snail.</span>--This meaning of the Hebrew name (<span class= "ital">chomet</span>) is attested by the highest Jewish authorities of ancient times. It denotes the testaceous kinds, whilst the word (<span class= "ital">shabbel</span>) in <a href="/psalms/58-8.htm" title="As a snail which melts, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.">Psalm 58:8</a> describes the naked species. Snails abound in a great variety of species in the East, and some kinds were eaten by the ancients as a great luxury. It was believed that the slime which it constantly emits as it crawls along brings about its death by a process of dissolution. Hence the remark "and snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away" (<a href="/psalms/58-8.htm" title="As a snail which melts, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.">Psalm 58:8</a>).<p><span class= "bld">And the mole.</span>--The word (<span class= "ital">tinshemeth</span>) here translated "mole" is the same which is used in <a href="/leviticus/11-18.htm" title="And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle,">Leviticus 11:18</a> for an unclean bird. That the Authorised Version, however, gives the correct rendering of the word is not only attested by the ancient versions, but by the following description, which the administrators of the law in the time of Christ give of the reptile here intended. It has no eyes, and burrows into the earth, and destroys the roots. For this reason, as well as for its carrying quantities of corn to its nest, it was ordained during the second Temple that the creature may be killed on the middle days of the two pilgrim festivals, <span class= "ital">i.e., </span>of the Feasts of Passover and of Tabernacles. In <a href="/isaiah/2-20.htm" title="In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;">Isaiah 2:20</a>, however, which is the only other passage where the mole occurs in the Hebrew Scriptures, the name for it is <span class= "ital">cnapar perah. </span>We have already seen in the case of the snail that two different names for the same creature are used designedly to describe the different characteristics of the same animal. . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/leviticus/11-30.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">the gecko,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָאֲנָקָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·’ă·nā·qāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_604.htm">Strong's 604: </a> </span><span class="str2">Some kind of lizard, the gecko</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the monitor lizard,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַכֹּ֖חַ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hak·kō·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3581.htm">Strong's 3581: </a> </span><span class="str2">A small reptile (of unknown species)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the common lizard,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַלְּטָאָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hal·lə·ṭā·’āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3911.htm">Strong's 3911: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a kind of) lizard</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the skink,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַחֹ֖מֶט</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ha·ḥō·meṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2546.htm">Strong's 2546: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a kind of) lizard</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the chameleon.</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַתִּנְשָֽׁמֶת׃</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hat·tin·šā·meṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8580.htm">Strong's 8580: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hard breather, two unclean creatures, a lizard and a, bird, the tree-toad and the water-hen</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/leviticus/11-30.htm">Leviticus 11:30 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/leviticus/11-30.htm">Leviticus 11:30 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/leviticus/11-30.htm">Leviticus 11:30 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/leviticus/11-30.htm">Leviticus 11:30 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/leviticus/11-30.htm">Leviticus 11:30 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/leviticus/11-30.htm">Leviticus 11:30 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/leviticus/11-30.htm">Leviticus 11:30 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/leviticus/11-30.htm">Leviticus 11:30 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/leviticus/11-30.htm">Leviticus 11:30 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/leviticus/11-30.htm">Leviticus 11:30 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/leviticus/11-30.htm">OT Law: Leviticus 11:30 The gecko and the monitor lizard (Le Lv Lev.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/leviticus/11-29.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Leviticus 11:29"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Leviticus 11:29" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/leviticus/11-31.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Leviticus 11:31"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Leviticus 11:31" /></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>