(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ 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.
"'Of all the things that live in the water, you may eat these: anything in the water that has fins and scales, whether in seas or in rivers -these you may eat.
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.
These may ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, that may ye eat.
These shall ye eat{H398} of all that are in the waters{H4325}: whatsoever hath fins{H5579} and scales{H7193} in the waters{H4325}, in the seas{H3220}, and in the rivers{H5158}, them shall ye eat{H398}.
Leviticus 11:9 is part of a larger section in the book of Leviticus that deals with the dietary laws given to the Israelites by God through Moses. This verse specifically addresses which types of sea creatures are considered clean and fit for consumption according to these laws.
**Themes:**
1. **Holiness and Purity:** The dietary laws are part of a broader theme of holiness and purity. God instructs the Israelites to distinguish between clean and unclean animals, which serves as a metaphor for moral and ritual purity.
2. **Distinctiveness of Israel:** These laws also serve to set Israel apart from other nations, reinforcing their unique covenantal relationship with God.
3. **Health and Hygiene:** Some scholars suggest that these dietary restrictions may have had health benefits, as many of the forbidden animals are known to carry diseases or parasites harmful to humans.
4. **Obedience to God's Commands:** The dietary laws are a test of the Israelites' obedience to God, as they are required to follow these regulations without necessarily understanding the reasons behind them.
**Historical Context:**
The book of Leviticus is traditionally attributed to Moses and is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. It contains laws and regulations given to the Israelites during their time in the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. Leviticus 11:9 would have been given in a context where the Israelites were being formed into a nation and were learning how to live according to God's commandments.
During this period, the Israelites were surrounded by other cultures with different religious practices and dietary habits. The laws in Leviticus, including the dietary restrictions, were meant to preserve the religious identity and moral integrity of the Israelites in a polytheistic world. The prohibition against eating animals without fins and scales would have been a practical way for the Israelites to maintain their distinctiveness and adherence to the covenant with God.
In summary, Leviticus 11:9 is part of the dietary laws that reflect the themes of holiness, purity, and obedience to God. These laws were given to the Israelites in the wilderness as they were establishing their national and religious identity, distinct from the surrounding nations.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)