King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ All fowls that creep, going upon [all] four, [shall be] an abomination unto you.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"'All winged swarming creatures that go on all fours are a detestable thing for you;
Berean Standard Bible:
All flying insects that walk on all fours are detestable to you.
American Standard Version:
All winged creeping things that go upon all fours are an abomination unto you.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
All fowls{H5775} that creep{H8318}, going{H1980} upon all four{H702}, shall be an abomination{H8263} unto you.
Cross-References (KJV):
Jude 1:19
- These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
2 Timothy 4:10
- For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
Leviticus 11:23
- But all [other] flying creeping things, which have four feet, [shall be] an abomination unto you.
Philippians 3:18
- (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Philippians 3:19
- Whose end [is] destruction, whose God [is their] belly, and [whose] glory [is] in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
1 John 2:15
- Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 2:17
- And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Leviticus 11:20
1. **Themes:**
- **Purity and Holiness:** Leviticus 11 outlines dietary laws that distinguish between clean and unclean animals, emphasizing the importance of holiness and purity for the Israelites.
- **Divine Order:** The categorization of animals reflects a divine order, with God prescribing which creatures are suitable for consumption.
- **Separation:** The laws serve to separate the Israelites from the practices of neighboring nations and to reinforce their unique identity as a people set apart for God.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** Likely written during the time of Moses (around the 14th century BCE), Leviticus is part of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible), which provides the foundational legal, narrative, and historical framework for ancient Israel.
- **Situation:** The Israelites were in the wilderness after being freed from slavery in Egypt, and God was establishing the covenant with them, including laws that would govern their religious, civil, and daily life.
- **Cultural Practices:** The dietary laws in Leviticus would have distinguished the Israelites from surrounding cultures, whose religious and dietary practices often included animals considered unclean in the Mosaic Law.
In Leviticus 11:20, the verse specifically addresses birds that walk on four legs, declaring them an abomination and thus not to be eaten by the Israelites. This likely refers to birds of prey and scavengers, which were considered ritually impure. The prohibition reinforces the themes of purity and holiness, reminding the Israelites of their obligation to adhere to God's commandments and maintain their distinct identity as His chosen people.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5775
There are 70 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עוֹף
Transliteration: ʻôwph
Pronunciation: ofe
Description: from עוּף; a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively; bird, that flieth, flying, fowl. - Strong's Number: H8318
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁרֶץ
Transliteration: sherets
Pronunciation: sheh'-rets
Description: from שָׁרַץ; a swarm, i.e. active mass of minute animals; creep(-ing thing), move(-ing creature). - Strong's Number: H1980
There are 468 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָלַךְ
Transliteration: hâlak
Pronunciation: haw-lak'
Description: akin to יָלַךְ; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively); (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl. - Strong's Number: H702
There are 383 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַרְבַּע
Transliteration: ʼarbaʻ
Pronunciation: ar-bah'
Description: masculine אַרְבָּעָה; from רָבַע; four; four. - 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).