(The Lord speaking is red text)
[The carcases] of every beast which divideth the hoof, and [is] not clovenfooted, nor cheweth the cud, [are] unclean unto you: every one that toucheth them shall be unclean.
every animal that has a separate but incompletely divided hoof or that doesn't chew the cud is unclean for you; anyone who touches them will become unclean.
Every animal with hooves not completely divided or that does not chew the cud is unclean for you. Whoever touches any of them will be unclean.
Every beast which parteth the hoof, and is not clovenfooted, nor cheweth the cud, is unclean unto you: every one that toucheth them shall be unclean.
The carcases of every beast{H929} which divideth{H6536} the hoof{H6541}, and is not clovenfooted{H8157}{H8156}, nor cheweth{H5927} the cud{H1625}, are unclean{H2931} unto you: every one that toucheth{H5060} them shall be unclean{H2930}.
1. **Themes:**
- **Ritual Purity and Cleanliness:** Leviticus 11 outlines dietary laws that distinguish between clean and unclean animals. The emphasis is on maintaining ritual purity, which is a significant theme throughout the book.
- **Holiness and Distinctiveness:** These laws served to set the Israelites apart from other nations, reinforcing their unique identity and relationship with God. Observing these dietary restrictions was a way of embodying holiness in everyday life.
- **Divine Order:** The categorization of animals into clean and unclean reflects a broader theme of order and classification, which is seen as divinely ordained.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The Book of Leviticus is set during the time of Moses, after the Exodus from Egypt and before the Israelites' entry into the Promised Land. It is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible.
- **Purpose of the Laws:** These dietary laws were given to the Israelites in the wilderness as part of the Covenant Code, which includes moral, civil, and ceremonial laws. They were designed to guide the community's religious and social life.
- **Cultural Distinction:** The dietary laws helped to reinforce the cultural and religious identity of the Israelites. By abstaining from certain foods and practices, they maintained their distinctiveness among the surrounding nations.
- **Health and Hygiene:** Some scholars suggest that these dietary restrictions may have had health benefits, as they would have prevented the consumption of animals that were more likely to carry diseases.
In summary, Leviticus 11:26 reflects the theme of maintaining ritual purity and holiness through adherence to dietary laws, which were part of the broader legal and moral framework given to the Israelites during their formative period in the wilderness. These laws served to distinguish the Israelites from other peoples and to reinforce their commitment to a lifestyle that reflected their covenant with God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)