Leviticus 11:10

KJV

And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which [is] in the waters, they [shall be] an abomination unto you:

KJV (with Strong's)

And all that have not fins {H5579} and scales {H7193} in the seas {H3220}, and in the rivers {H5158}, of all that move {H8318} in the waters {H4325}, and of any living {H2416} thing {H5315} which is in the waters {H4325}, they shall be an abomination {H8263} unto you:

Complete Jewish Bible

But everything in the seas and rivers without both fins and scales, of all the small water-creatures and of all the living creatures in the water, is a detestable thing for you.

Berean Standard Bible

But the following among all the teeming life and creatures in the water are detestable to you: everything in the seas or streams that does not have fins and scales.

American Standard Version

And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of all the living creatures that are in the waters, they are an abomination unto you,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 11:10 delineates a specific prohibition within the comprehensive dietary laws given to ancient Israel, declaring aquatic creatures lacking both fins and scales as an "abomination" and therefore unfit for consumption. This verse is part of a larger divine mandate designed to establish and maintain the holiness of God's chosen people, distinguishing them from surrounding nations not only in worship but also in daily life, including their eating habits. The classification of certain animals as detestable served to inculcate principles of purity, obedience, and discernment, reflecting God's sovereign authority to define what is clean and unclean for His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 11 initiates a detailed exposition of the dietary laws, following the establishment of the sacrificial system (Leviticus 1-7) and the consecration of the priesthood (Leviticus 8-10). This chapter transitions from the sacred space of the tabernacle and the specific rituals of worship to the broader sphere of daily life, demonstrating that holiness was to permeate every aspect of an Israelite's existence. The preceding verses (Leviticus 11:1-9) outline the criteria for clean land animals and clean aquatic creatures, specifying that only those with "fins and scales" are permissible. Verse 10, therefore, serves as the direct counterpoint, explicitly forbidding all aquatic life that *lacks* these two defining characteristics, reinforcing the divine taxonomy established earlier in the chapter. This meticulous classification underscores the comprehensive nature of God's law and its application to all living things.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The giving of the dietary laws occurred at Mount Sinai, shortly after Israel's liberation from Egypt and their covenant with Yahweh. These laws were crucial for shaping Israel's identity as a distinct, holy nation, set apart from the pagan cultures that surrounded them. Many ancient Near Eastern cultures engaged in practices and consumed foods that were anathema to Yahweh's standards of purity. For instance, some cultures consumed various forms of shellfish or eels, which would be forbidden by the criteria of [Leviticus 11:10](/leviticus/11-10 "Leviticus 11:10 - Unclean Aquatic Animals"). The concept of "abomination" (Hebrew: *sheqets*) was not merely about health or hygiene, though practical benefits may have existed, but primarily about ritual purity and theological distinction. By adhering to these strict guidelines, the Israelites visibly demonstrated their allegiance to God and their separation from idolatrous practices and defiling customs, fulfilling their calling as a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation" as articulated in [Exodus 19:6](/exodus/19-6 "Exodus 19:6 - Israel as a Holy Nation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Abomination (Hebrew, _sheqets'_):** This term carries a profound theological weight, signifying something utterly detestable, abhorrent, or ritually impure in the eyes of God. It is not merely something disliked or undesirable, but something that actively defiles and pollutes. In the context of Leviticus, *sheqets* denotes a severe ritual impurity that renders an object, animal, or practice utterly unfit for consumption, contact, or participation in the sacred life of Israel. Its use here emphasizes the strong divine disapproval and the absolute prohibition against consuming such aquatic creatures, marking them as profoundly defiling.
* **Fins and Scales (Hebrew, _sanpir_ and _qasqeset_):** These two physical characteristics are presented as the essential criteria for distinguishing clean from unclean aquatic life. The presence of both fins (for propulsion) and scales (for protection) signifies a particular kind of aquatic creature—typically fish that swim freely and are generally considered "normal" or "common" fish. The absence of either or both of these characteristics (e.g., eels, shellfish, crustaceans) immediately renders the creature "unclean." This specificity highlights God's meticulous attention to detail in defining purity and His sovereign right to establish categories for His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers":** This clause precisely defines the category of forbidden aquatic creatures. The absence of *both* fins and scales is the disqualifying factor, irrespective of whether they reside in saltwater (seas) or freshwater (rivers). This comprehensive scope ensures that no aquatic environment yields permissible food if the creatures within it lack these specific characteristics.
* **"of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which [is] in the waters":** This phrase broadens the scope to include any and all forms of aquatic locomotion and life, ensuring that the prohibition applies universally to anything that lives and moves in water, regardless of its specific biological classification beyond the "fins and scales" criterion. This eliminates any loopholes or ambiguities, making the divine command exhaustive.
* **"they [shall be] an abomination unto you":** This concluding declaration is the divine verdict. The term "abomination" (as discussed above) signifies that these creatures are not merely "unfit" or "undesirable" but are ritually defiling. Their consumption or even contact would render an Israelite impure, necessitating purification rituals. This strong designation underscores the theological significance of the dietary laws, linking physical consumption directly to spiritual purity and separation from defilement.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 11:10 employs several literary devices to convey its message with clarity and authority. The most prominent is **Categorization**, as the verse meticulously defines a specific class of creatures based on the absence of two key physical attributes ("fins and scales"). This precise categorization creates a clear binary distinction between "clean" and "unclean" within the aquatic realm, leaving no room for ambiguity. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Contrast** by implicitly setting the forbidden creatures (lacking fins and scales) against the previously permitted ones (possessing both). This stark contrast reinforces the divine standards of purity. Finally, the declaration "they shall be an **abomination** unto you" serves as a powerful **Exaggeration** or **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme detestability of these creatures in God's sight, moving beyond mere dietary preference to a theological statement of profound impurity and separation. This strong language aims to instill a deep sense of aversion and strict adherence to the divine command.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 11:10, within the broader context of the Mosaic Law, profoundly articulates God's sovereignty and His desire for a holy people. The dietary laws, far from being arbitrary, served as a tangible expression of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. They taught the Israelites that God is the ultimate categorizer of reality, defining what is pure and impure, holy and common. By observing these laws, Israel was continually reminded of their unique identity as a nation set apart for God's purposes, distinct from the defiling practices of surrounding pagan cultures. This physical separation through diet was a pedagogical tool, training them in discernment and obedience, ultimately pointing to the need for spiritual purity and separation from all forms of sin and idolatry. The principle is that God's people are to reflect His holiness in every aspect of their lives, from what they eat to how they worship and behave.

* [Leviticus 20:25](/leviticus/20-25 "Leviticus 20:25 - Distinction Between Clean and Unclean")
* [Deuteronomy 14:3](/deuteronomy/14-3 "Deuteronomy 14:3 - Do Not Eat Abominable Things")
* [Ezekiel 22:26](/ezekiel/22-26 "Ezekiel 22:26 - Priests Not Distinguishing Between Holy and Common")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific dietary prohibitions of Leviticus 11:10 are not literally binding for New Covenant believers, the underlying principles of holiness, discernment, and obedience remain profoundly relevant. For the ancient Israelite, abstaining from certain foods was a daily act of remembering their identity as God's chosen people, distinct from the world. For Christians today, our call to holiness is not about external dietary restrictions but about internal purity and spiritual separation. We are called to discern what truly nourishes our souls and what defiles our hearts and minds, choosing righteousness over the "abominations" of a fallen world. This means being intentional about what we consume spiritually—what media we engage with, what thoughts we entertain, what relationships we cultivate. Our obedience is expressed not in avoiding certain foods, but in pursuing Christ-likeness and living lives that honor God in every sphere, reflecting His character and values in a world that desperately needs to see His light.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "abomination" in Leviticus 11:10 challenge my understanding of God's standards for purity and holiness?**
* **In what ways am I called to exercise spiritual discernment and "separate" myself from the defilements of the world today, even if not through dietary laws?**
* **What "unclean" influences or habits might I be consuming or tolerating in my life that hinder my pursuit of holiness and obedience to God?**

### FAQ
**Why were these dietary laws given to Israel in the first place?**

Answer: The dietary laws, including the prohibition in [Leviticus 11:10](/leviticus/11-10 "Leviticus 11:10 - Unclean Aquatic Animals"), were given primarily for theological and pedagogical reasons, not merely for health. They served to distinguish Israel as a holy nation, set apart for God's purposes. By adhering to these unique regulations, the Israelites visibly demonstrated their covenant relationship with Yahweh and their separation from the idolatrous and often defiling practices of the surrounding pagan cultures. These laws taught them about God's sovereignty, the importance of obedience, and the pervasive nature of holiness in all aspects of life, from the sacred to the mundane. They were a constant reminder of their identity as God's chosen people, called to reflect His purity.

**Are Christians today still bound by the dietary laws of Leviticus?**

Answer: No, Christians under the New Covenant are not bound by the literal dietary laws of Leviticus. The New Testament clearly indicates that these ceremonial laws have been fulfilled in Christ. Jesus declared all foods clean in [Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean"), stating that "what comes out of a person is what defiles him." Peter's vision in [Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9 "Acts 10:9-16 - Peter's Vision of Unclean Animals") explicitly revealed that God had cleansed what was once considered unclean. Furthermore, Paul teaches in [Romans 14:1-23](/romans/14 "Romans 14 - Principles of Christian Liberty") and [1 Timothy 4:4-5](/1_timothy/4-4 "1 Timothy 4:4-5 - All Food is Good") that "every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving." While the literal laws are superseded, the underlying principles of holiness, discernment, and seeking God's will remain vital for believers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The prohibition in Leviticus 11:10, like all the Mosaic dietary laws, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. These laws served as a "shadow of the good things to come" ([Hebrews 10:1](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1 - The Law is a Shadow")), pointing forward to a greater spiritual reality. Christ, through His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection, abolished the ceremonial distinctions that separated Jew from Gentile and clean from unclean. He declared all foods clean ([Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean")), revealing that true defilement comes not from what enters the body, but from the sin that originates in the heart ([Matthew 15:18-19](/matthew/15-18 "Matthew 15:18-19 - What Defiles a Person")). The vision given to Peter in [Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9 "Acts 10:9-16 - Peter's Vision of Unclean Animals") further underscored this radical shift, signifying that God's grace extends to all people, breaking down the barriers of ritual purity and welcoming all into the family of God. In Christ, the focus shifts from outward conformity to dietary codes to an inward transformation of the heart, where purity is achieved not by avoiding certain foods, but by being cleansed by the blood of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and living by the power of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to pursue true holiness and righteousness ([Hebrews 12:14](/hebrews/12-14 "Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue Peace and Holiness")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.