Leviticus 11:26

King James Version:

(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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

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.

Berean Standard Bible:

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.

American Standard Version:

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.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

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}.

Cross-References (KJV):


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Commentary for Leviticus 11:26

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

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

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

  1. Strong's Number: H929
    There are 172 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בְּהֵמָה
    Transliteration: bᵉhêmâh
    Pronunciation: be-hay-maw'
    Description: from an unused root (probably meaning to be mute); properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective); beast, cattle.
  2. Strong's Number: H6536
    There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פָּרַס
    Transliteration: pâraç
    Pronunciation: paw-ras'
    Description: a primitive root; to break in pieces, i.e. (usually without violence) to split, distribute; deal, divide, have hoofs, part, tear.
  3. Strong's Number: H6541
    There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פַּרְסָה
    Transliteration: parçâh
    Pronunciation: par-saw'
    Description: feminine of פֶּרֶס; a claw or split hoof; claw, (cloven-) footed, hoof.
  4. Strong's Number: H8157
    There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שֶׁסַע
    Transliteration: sheçaʻ
    Pronunciation: sheh'-sah
    Description: from שָׁסַע; a fissure; cleft, clovenfooted.
  5. Strong's Number: H8156
    There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁסַע
    Transliteration: shâçaʻ
    Pronunciation: shaw-sah'
    Description: a primitive root; to split or tear; figuratively, to upbraid; cleave, (be) cloven (footed), rend, stay.
  6. Strong's Number: H5927
    There are 817 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָלָה
    Transliteration: ʻâlâh
    Pronunciation: aw-law'
    Description: a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative; arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work.
  7. Strong's Number: H1625
    There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: גֵּרָה
    Transliteration: gêrâh
    Pronunciation: gay-raw'
    Description: from גָּרַר; the cud (as scraping the throat); cud.
  8. Strong's Number: H2931
    There are 78 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: טָמֵא
    Transliteration: ṭâmêʼ
    Pronunciation: taw-may'
    Description: from טָמֵא; foul in a religious sense; defiled, [phrase] infamous, polluted(-tion), unclean.
  9. Strong's Number: H5060
    There are 142 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נָגַע
    Transliteration: nâgaʻ
    Pronunciation: naw-gah'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive, acquire); violently, to strike (punish, defeat, destroy, etc.); beat, ([idiom] be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch.
  10. Strong's Number: H2930
    There are 142 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: טָמֵא
    Transliteration: ṭâmêʼ
    Pronunciation: taw-may'
    Description: a primitive root; to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated); defile (self), pollute (self), be (make, make self, pronounce) unclean, [idiom] utterly.