Leviticus 11 Summary

The LORD instructs Moses and Aaron to teach Israel which animals are permissible to eat and which are forbidden. Among land animals, only those that both part the hoof and chew the cud are clean; creatures such as the camel, coney, hare, and swine fail one criterion and are declared unclean. For water creatures, only those with fins and scales are permitted, while all others are an abomination; among birds, a specific list of forbidden species is given, and most flying insects are banned except those with jointed legs for leaping, such as the locust and grasshopper. The chapter closes with detailed rules on ritual impurity contracted by touching or carrying the carcasses of unclean animals, including the cleansing or destruction of contaminated vessels, and grounds the entire law in the holiness of the LORD, who calls Israel to be holy as He is holy.