Leviticus 11:11

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

Yes, these will be detestable for you -you are not to eat their meat, and you are to detest their carcasses.

Berean Standard Bible:

They shall be an abomination to you; you must not eat their meat, and you must detest their carcasses.

American Standard Version:

and they shall be an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, and their carcasses ye shall have in abomination.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

They shall be even an abomination{H8263} unto you; ye shall not eat{H398} of their flesh{H1320}, but ye shall have their carcases{H5038} in abomination{H8262}.

Cross-References (KJV):


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Commentary for Leviticus 11:11

Leviticus 11:11 is part of a larger section in the book of Leviticus that deals with the laws of kashrut, or dietary regulations for the Israelites. This verse specifically addresses the prohibition against eating the flesh of certain aquatic creatures and scavenging birds, which are considered impure or abominable according to these laws.

**Themes:**
1. **Purity and Holiness:** The overarching theme in Leviticus 11 is the establishment of dietary laws that distinguish between clean and unclean animals. These laws are intended to set the Israelites apart from other nations and to reflect their holy status before God.
2. **Divine Order:** The categorization of animals into clean and unclean reflects a broader concept of order within the universe, as ordained by God. By adhering to these dietary laws, the Israelites acknowledge and participate in this divine order.
3. **Separation:** The dietary laws serve as a means of separation, not only between the Israelites and other peoples but also between the sacred and the profane within their own community.

**Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The book of Leviticus is set during the time of Moses, specifically after the construction of the Tabernacle, which is described in the book of Exodus. The laws in Leviticus are given to the Israelites during their wandering in the wilderness, after their exodus from Egypt and before their entry into the Promised Land.
- **Purpose of the Laws:** These dietary laws would have served multiple practical and symbolic functions. Practically, they may have provided health benefits by avoiding certain diseases carried by particular animals. Symbolically, they reinforced the Israelites' identity as a chosen people with a unique relationship with God.
- **Cultural Significance:** The dietary laws would have set the Israelites apart from their surrounding neighbors, such as the Egyptians and Canaanites, who had different dietary practices. This distinction was crucial in maintaining the religious and cultural identity of the Israelites in a region with diverse religious beliefs and practices.

In summary, Leviticus 11:11 reflects the theme of purity and holiness by establishing dietary restrictions that reinforce the Israelites' distinct identity and their commitment to God's commandments, within the historical context of their formation as a nation during the time of Moses.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H8263
    There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שֶׁקֶץ
    Transliteration: sheqets
    Pronunciation: sheh'-kets
    Description: from שָׁקַץ; filth, i.e. (figuratively and specifically) an idolatrous object; abominable(-tion).
  2. Strong's Number: H398
    There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָכַל
    Transliteration: ʼâkal
    Pronunciation: aw-kal'
    Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite.
  3. Strong's Number: H1320
    There are 241 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בָּשָׂר
    Transliteration: bâsâr
    Pronunciation: baw-sawr'
    Description: from בָּשַׂר; flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of aman; body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin.
  4. Strong's Number: H5038
    There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נְבֵלָה
    Transliteration: nᵉbêlâh
    Pronunciation: neb-ay-law'
    Description: from נָבֵל; a flabby thing, i.e. a carcase or carrion (human or bestial, often collectively); figuratively, an idol; (dead) body, (dead) carcase, dead of itself, which died, (beast) that (which) dieth of itself.
  5. Strong's Number: H8262
    There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁקַץ
    Transliteration: shâqats
    Pronunciation: shaw-kats'
    Description: a primitive root; to be filthy, i.e. (intensively) to loathe, pollute; abhor, make abominable, have in abomination, detest, [idiom] utterly.