Keraia
Leviticus 11

Leviticus 11:9

Clean and Unclean Animals · Leviticus 11:1–47
Read Leviticus 11

Translations

Modern
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.
Traditional
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.
Literal
This you shall eat from all that are in the waters: Everything that has fin and scale in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them you shall eat.
Latin
Hæc sunt quæ gignuntur in aquis, et vesci licitum est: omne quod habet pinnulas et squamas, tam in mari quam in fluminibus et stagnis, comedetis.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.

Notes

Leviticus 11:9

the creatures that live in the water: The Israelites considered animals from the water to be clean (acceptable for food and for ritual use) only if they had both fins and scales

Leviticus 11:1–15:33

These chapters explain the rules about purity. Mixing different types of animals was forbidden (see Deuteronomy 22:9–11). This is because it opposed God's natural order. Creatures like fish without fins and scales, meat-eating animals, crawling insects, and animals without split hooves were considered "abnormal." They crossed the boundaries between "normal" types and were not suitable for food or offerings (see also Deuteronomy 14:1–21). The dietary laws intended to set Israel apart as a holy people from other nations (Leviticus 11:44–45).

Parallels

Deuteronomy 14:1–21 Acts 10:9–16

Glossary

Animals Biblical Concept of Law Buzzard Cleanness and Uncleanness, Regulations Concerning Deuteronomy, Book of Dietary Laws Fish Food and Food Preparation Gospel of Matthew History of Israel Law of Moses Leviticus, Book of Lizard Medicine and Medical Practice

Topics

Animals: Ordained As Food for Man Fish: Clean and Unclean Fishes: Distinction Between Clean and Unclean Food: Things Prohibited As Food Rivers of Canaan Abounded with Fish Sanitation: Food