Which animals are clean and unclean?

[siddhi koli]

Leviticus 11:9-12

King James Version


9 These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat.


10 And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you:


11 They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination.


12 Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.


Deuteronomy 14:7-8

King James Version

7 Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you.8 And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.




God states that cud-chewing animals with split hooves can be eaten (Leviticus 11:3; Deuteronomy 14:6). These specifically include the cattle, sheep, goat, deer and gazelle families (Deuteronomy 14:4-5). He also lists such animals as camels, rabbits and pigs as being unclean, or unfit to eat (Leviticus 11:4-8). He later lists such "creeping things" as moles, mice and lizards as unfit to eat (Leviticus 11:29-31), as well as four-footed animals with paws (cats, dogs, bears, lions, tigers, etc.) as unclean (Leviticus 11:27).


He tells us that salt and freshwater fish with fins and scales may be eaten (Leviticus 11:9-12), but water creatures without those characteristics (catfish, lobsters, crabs, shrimp, mussels, clams, oysters, squid, octopi, etc.) should not be eaten.


God also lists birds and other flying creatures that are unclean for consumption (Leviticus 11:13-19). He identifies carrion eaters and birds of prey as unclean, plus ostriches, storks, herons and bats.


Birds such as chickens, turkeys and pheasants are not on the unclean list and therefore can be eaten. Insects, with the exception of locusts, crickets and grasshoppers, are listed as unclean (Leviticus 11:20-23).
context

[Infographic]: Which Animals Does the Bible Designate as 'Clean' and 'Unclean'?

God reveals which animals - including fish and birds - are suitable and unsuitable for human consumption in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. Although the lists aren't exhaustive, He reveals guidelines for recognizing animals that are acceptable for food.

www.ucg.org

 

[for_his_glory]

I know I gave this in your other thread, but thought I would also post it here.

This can be very confusing and seems to contradict other scriptures that say we can eat almost everything.

Genesis 1:29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

Genesis 9:3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.
Gen 9:4 But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.

God said this way before the Levitical laws came to be.

Leviticus 11 gives a very detailed list of what God allowed the Israelites to eat or not eat.

Here is a website that to me explains all of this if anyone is interested in studying this further.

Can Christians Eat Pork? Is It A Sin? (The Major Truth)

Can Christians Eat Pork? Is eating pork a sin? Should Christians eat pork if it causes a brother to stumble? Christians are free to eat anything. Let's dive in

biblereasons.com

 

[jaybo]

Leviticus 11:9-12

King James Version


9 These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat.


10 And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you:


11 They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination.


12 Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.


Deuteronomy 14:7-8

King James Version

7 Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you.8 And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.




God states that cud-chewing animals with split hooves can be eaten (Leviticus 11:3; Deuteronomy 14:6). These specifically include the cattle, sheep, goat, deer and gazelle families (Deuteronomy 14:4-5). He also lists such animals as camels, rabbits and pigs as being unclean, or unfit to eat (Leviticus 11:4-8). He later lists such "creeping things" as moles, mice and lizards as unfit to eat (Leviticus 11:29-31), as well as four-footed animals with paws (cats, dogs, bears, lions, tigers, etc.) as unclean (Leviticus 11:27).


He tells us that salt and freshwater fish with fins and scales may be eaten (Leviticus 11:9-12), but water creatures without those characteristics (catfish, lobsters, crabs, shrimp, mussels, clams, oysters, squid, octopi, etc.) should not be eaten.


God also lists birds and other flying creatures that are unclean for consumption (Leviticus 11:13-19). He identifies carrion eaters and birds of prey as unclean, plus ostriches, storks, herons and bats.


Birds such as chickens, turkeys and pheasants are not on the unclean list and therefore can be eaten. Insects, with the exception of locusts, crickets and grasshoppers, are listed as unclean (Leviticus 11:20-23).
context

[Infographic]: Which Animals Does the Bible Designate as 'Clean' and 'Unclean'?

God reveals which animals - including fish and birds - are suitable and unsuitable for human consumption in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. Although the lists aren't exhaustive, He reveals guidelines for recognizing animals that are acceptable for food.

www.ucg.org

I strongly suggest that you get out of Leviticus and into the New Testament, where Jesus declared all foods "clean".

Mark 7:18-19, "He [Jesus] said to them, “Are you so foolish? Don’t you understand that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him? For it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and then goes out into the sewer.” (This means all foods are clean.)

 

[Mantis]

All foods are clean now.

 

[siddhi koli]

All foods are clean now.

How clean is all the food now?

 

[jaybo]

How clean is all the food now?

Clean means acceptable. It isn't referring to contamination, dirt, etc.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

If we are looking at OT animals to eat, it’s your standard OT being out the Mosaic verses.

But I’m feeling kind of relaxed and would like to say that some animals could be unclean in the traditional understanding of the word.

Pigs are pretty filthy so “unclean” is appropriate. Old dogs smell real bad so they could be unclean. Bats look really nasty so they should be in that category. Cats clean themselves so they’re pretty clean.

Not spiritually useful but something to consider when choosing a pet.

 

[eddif]

How clean is all the food now?

Good way to ask the question.

I read the other thread and I am aware of your knowledge of the Old Testament description of clean and unclean animals. The clean have split hoofs and chew the cud (more on this later).

It took me years to work through all this. In Acts chapter 10 Peter does not take that long. Of course he had a vision from God.

In the Old Testament truth was hidden in natural things Romans 1:20 . Their life was a school master till Jesus came. So clean and unclean food is a shadow of things to come.

Colossians 2:16 kjv
16. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17. Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Ok to me it is clear, but let us go here.
Matthew 4:4 kjv
4. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

The inner spiritual man is dependent on words / spiritual food. What goes into our. mouth will not defile us now.
Matthew 15:11 kjv
11. Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Words of truth should come out of our mouth. We should not listen and believe false teachers / doctrine. Today it is about Jesus in us.

Revelation 3:20 kjv
20. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Our conversation with the quickening Spirit of Jesus in us supplies us with spiritual food today.

We must be born again to see the kingdom.

That may help. If not, ask a questions.

eddif

 

[ezrider]

How clean is all the food now?

In your OP, you listed several of the characteristics listed in the books of the law that declared what animal were clean and those which were not. I know those things that we find written can have an overpowering effect our conscience. If it sets us to fear of being disobedient, then is it of the Spirit of Christ?

When it comes to clean and unclean, you should realize these commands were meant as show of obedience. I am also reminded that a women during her menstrual cycle was also considered to be unclean. But if she was considered to be unclean a the time of her monthly cycle, then what about the rest of the month. Was she not then clean for a time as well?


Deuteronomy 12:5
But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:


Jesus was the place where God chose to put his name.


Deuteronomy 12:14-16
But in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee. Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart. Only ye shall not eat the blood; ye shall pour it upon the earth as water.


As Peter was shown in his vision, and as the law itself declared: then shall you eat of the clean and unclean alike, according to the blessing of the Lord.

 

[eddif]

1 Timothy 5:17 kjv
17. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
18. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

1 Corinthians 9:8
8. Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
9. For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
10. Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

The ox is a clean animal. Able to digest fiber in plants. The ox can do this because they have 4 stomachs.
1. Roughage is taken in
2. Re chewed
3. Bacteria break down grass
4. Broken down grass and bacteria are digested

Good church worker
1. All hard concepts are considered
2. Meditation on Word refines truth
3. Tempters try to steal theword
4. Truth prevails

So that a good elder:
Removes the seed coat with his split hoof and presents thi inner part of the word to the Church. Members then may make course corn meal or fine corn flour according to what their calling is.

At this point we may be able to see why God made a clean ox the way he did. Hidden in the Old Testament was a prophecy about a good preacher / church officer.

It is not about clean foods now. It is about elders that do a good job in removing the husk off the corn that truth may be presented.
……..

Unclean workers
A horse (single hoof) would crush the seed coat into the inner part, and make it almost un usable. A claw foot animal might just lightly cross the corn without any gain for the Church, or just defile the Word.

The law can be used lawfully.

eddif

 

[jaybo]

1 Timothy 5:17 kjv
17. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
18. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

1 Corinthians 9:8
8. Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
9. For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
10. Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

The ox is a clean animal. Able to digest fiber in plants. The ox can do this because they have 4 stomachs.
1. Roughage is taken in
2. Re chewed
3. Bacteria break down grass
4. Broken down grass and bacteria are digested

Good church worker
1. All hard concepts are considered
2. Meditation on Word refines truth
3. Tempters try to steal theword
4. Truth prevails

So that a good elder:
Removes the seed coat with his split hoof and presents thi inner part of the word to the Church. Members then may make course corn meal or fine corn flour according to what their calling is.

At this point we may be able to see why God made a clean ox the way he did. Hidden in the Old Testament was a prophecy about a good preacher / church officer.

It is not about clean foods now. It is about elders that do a good job in removing the husk off the corn that truth may be presented.
……..

Unclean workers
A horse (single hoof) would crush the seed coat into the inner part, and make it almost un usable. A claw foot animal might just lightly cross the corn without any gain for the Church, or just defile the Word.

The law can be used lawfully.

eddif

Apparently you haven't been around livestock. Cattle are often dirty animals because of the half-digested forage in their liquidy waste. Horses, on the other hand, have relatively clean waste. Pigs, cared for properly, are very clean animals.

 

[eddif]

Apparently you haven't been around livestock. Cattle are often dirty animals because of the half-digested forage in their liquidy waste. Horses, on the other hand, have relatively clean waste. Pigs, cared for properly, are very clean animals.

I guess I just have to confess my sin in the flesh and press forward to the high calling in Christ Jesus.

Hopefully the information presented was from the Bible and meditation.


eddif

 

[rstrats]

I strongly suggest that you get out of Leviticus and into the New Testament, where Jesus declared all foods "clean".

Mark 7:18-19, "He [Jesus] said to them, “Are you so foolish? Don’t you understand that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him? For it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and then goes out into the sewer.” (This means all foods are clean.)

The context for those verses has to do with the special washing of hands before eating as well as utensils. The companion account in Matthew 15:1-20 ends with the Messiah saying, "...but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man." Nothing in the 2 accounts mentions anything about clean and unclean animals.

 

[jaybo]

The context for those verses has to do with the special washing of hands before eating as well as utensils. The companion account in Matthew 15:1-20 ends with the Messiah saying, "...but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man." Nothing in the 2 accounts mentions anything about clean and unclean animals.

The parentheses in my post are not added to me; they are part of Mark's gospel.

Mark 7:18-19, "He said to them, “Are you so foolish? Don’t you understand that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him? For it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and then goes out into the sewer.”[w] (This means all foods are clean.)" NET

"He said to them, “So, are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and goes out into the sewer?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) NRSVue

"And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?”[f] (Thus he declared all foods clean.) " ESV

or whichever translation you choose.

Scripture clearly says that all foods are clean. This refers to all animals, since no vegetables are unclean.

 

[eddif]

The parentheses in my post are not added to me; they are part of Mark's gospel.

Mark 7:18-19, "He said to them, “Are you so foolish? Don’t you understand that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him? For it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and then goes out into the sewer.”[w] (This means all foods are clean.)" NET

"He said to them, “So, are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters not the heart but the stomach and goes out into the sewer?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) NRSVue

"And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?”[f] (Thus he declared all foods clean.) " ESV

or whichever translation you choose.

Scripture clearly says that all foods are clean. This refers to all animals, since no vegetables are unclean.

Genesis 1:29 kjv
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

We do not hide the Word under a bushel, but bear fruit. Still about inner workings though. Some things we study may not have symbols that bear fruit unto righteousness. Symbolism has to be studied where there is liberty.

Symbolism is everywhere.

eddif

 

[jaybo]

Genesis 1:29 kjv
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

We do not hide the Word under a bushel, but bear fruit. Still about inner workings though. Some things we study may not have symbols that bear fruit unto righteousness. Symbolism has to be studied where there is liberty.

Symbolism is everywhere.

eddif

What exactly are you trying to say? Genesis 1:29 in modern English says "Then God said, “I now give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the entire earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food." NET

"Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you" NASB

"And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food." ESV

"Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food." NIV

"And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food." RSV

"And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food." NKJV

The English language has changed considerably in more than four centuries. "Meat" in 1611 wasn't referring to animal flesh, but food in general.

 

[eddif]

.

Scripture clearly says that all foods are clean. This refers to all animals, since no vegetables are unclean.

My comment was just to show that all plant life may not be the same. Some plants are considered poisonous. Those plants may make medicine.

Mold, mildew, plants that destroy life may be considered differently at the time of creation, or since briars seem to appear at the fall of Adam, maybe rot happened at the fall.
I was just making a comment and not starting a war. It is just my observation that seed bearing plants were given as food.

The meat word (to me) just means food. Plants eaten put flesh on our bodies. I Suppose seed bearing plants build protein in our bodies.

I will admit that, it appears, that synthetic meat may use some strange mechanisms today.
eddif

 

[jaybo]

My comment was just to show that all plant life may not be the same. Some plants are considered poisonous. Those plants may make medicine.

Mold, mildew, plants that destroy life may be considered differently at the time of creation, or since briars seem to appear at the fall of Adam, maybe rot happened at the fall.
I was just making a comment and not starting a war. It is just my observation that seed bearing plants were given as food.

The meat word (to me) just means food. Plants eaten put flesh on our bodies. I Suppose seed bearing plants build protein in our bodies.

I will admit that, it appears, that synthetic meat may use some strange mechanisms today.
eddif

I have no idea what you're trying to say.

Of course not all plant life is the same. That is totally obvious. You don't need the Bible to tell you that.

 

[gordon777]

When some animals were unclean, this is God wisdom showing the Gentiles by not knowing God, were unclean nations.

Then God cleansed( gave the knowledge of salvation) to the Gentiles through Christ dying and rising, and all animals the Gentiles are informed ( enlightened) are clean. ( as the Gentiles were cleansed then)

jaybo assumes that Peter was a hypocrite for that enlightening of the Gentiles, but it is him who just is not very enlightened.

The topic is unenlightened, as all is about Christ in the scriptures, so get on track or remain in your darkness.





Acts 10:15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

1 Timothy 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

1 Peter 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

 

[eddif]

I have no idea what you're trying to say.

Of course not all plant life is the same. That is totally obvious. You don't need the Bible to tell you that.

This may be a foolish attempt on my part, but I am still trying.
The op was about animals.
Post two mentioned plants.
In post 14 you mentioned (no vegetables are unclean.)
My comment was that the plants to be eaten in Genesis were the seed bearing plants.
Ezekiel's school of the prophets had a problem with wild plants. ( you can look it up)

Genesis 9:3 kjv
Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.

Moving thing? Even as the green herb?
John Ott studied plants with time lapse photraghy. The sunflower plant moves as it followed the sun during the day. Sunflower seeds are food. The mold under a log may not follow the sun. We are to follow God. Genesis was a time of symbols. Those symbols remain hidden till Jesus and spirit filled NT writers explain all this.

Today all foods have been declared clean. As a Gentile (incorporated into the one new man). I understand what was clean and unclean. I understand the deceleration of all things being clean at the Gentile inclusion. A Jewish Person (who is part of the one new man) also understands the deceleration of all things made clean, and we have fellowship with each other.

But all people are not to the one new man understanding, so all this conversation is to allow all men to understand what was, and what can be . Until this happens we do not insult either Jew or Gentile, but allow each to work out their own salvation in Christ Jesus.

eddif