TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Leviticus 11:9–19.
Here is, 1. A general rule concerning fishes, which were clean and which not. All that had fins and scales they might eat, and only those odd sorts of water-animals that have not were forbidden, Lev 11:9, Lev 11:10. The ancients accounted fish the most delicate food (so far were they from allowing it on fasting-days, or making it an instance of mortification to eat fish); therefore God did not lay much restraint upon his people in them; for he is a Master that allows his servants not only for necessity but for delight. Concerning the prohibited fish it is said, They shall be an abomination to you (Lev 11:10-12), that is, "You shall count them unclean, and not only not eat of them, but keep at a distance from them." Note, Whatever is unclean should be to us an abomination; touch not the unclean thing. But observe, It was to be an abomination only to Jews; the neighbouring nations were under none of these obligations, nor are these things to be an abomination to us Christians. The Jews were honoured with peculiar privileges, and therefore, lest they should be proud of those, Transeunt cum onere - They were likewise laid under peculiar restraints. Thus God's spiritual Israel, as they are dignified above others by the gospel-covenant of adoption and friendship, so they must be mortified more than others by the gospel-commands of self-denial and bearing the cross. 2. Concerning fowls here is no general rule given, but a particular enumeration of those fowls that they must abstain from as unclean, which implies an allowance of all others. The critics here have their hands full to find out what is the true signification of the Hebrew words here used, some of which still remain uncertain, some sorts of fowls being peculiar to some countries. Were the law in force now, we should be concerned to know with certainty what are prohibited by it; and perhaps if we did, and were better acquainted with the nature of the fowls here mentioned, we should admire the knowledge of Adam, in giving them names expressive of their natures, Gen 2:20. But the law being repealed, and the learning in a great measure lost, it is sufficient for us to observe that of the fowls here forbidden, (1.) Some are birds of prey, as the eagle, vulture, etc., and God would have his people to abhor every thing that is barbarous and cruel, and not to live by blood and rapine. Doves that are preyed upon were fit to be food for man and offerings to God; but kites and hawks that prey upon them must be looked upon as an abomination to God and man; for the condition of those that are persecuted for righteousness' sake appears to an eye of faith every way better than that of their persecutors. (2.) Others of them are solitary birds, that abide in dark and desolate places, as the owl and the pelican (Psa 102:6), and the cormorant and raven (Isa 34:11); for God's Israel should not be a melancholy people, nor affect sadness and constant solitude. (3.) Others of them feed upon that which is impure, as the stork on serpents, others of them on worms; and we must not only abstain from all impurity ourselves, but from communion with those that allow themselves in it. (4.) Others of them were used by the Egyptians and other Gentiles in their divinations. Some birds were reckoned fortunate, others ominous; and their soothsayers had great regard to the flights of these birds, all which therefore must be an abomination to God's people, who must not learn the way of the heathen.
Historical interpretation
Four Centuries of Reception
6 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
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The all-wise Educator, by the lips of Moses, compared association with corrupt men to living with swine when he forbade the ancient people to partake of swine. He made it plain in those words that they who invoke God should not seek the company of the unclean who, like swine, revel in bodily pleasures and filthy habits of life and impure delights, itching for evil-minded pleasures of sex.
He adds too that they are not to eat “kite or mastophage or eagle,” meaning “You shall not go near those who make their livelihood by plundering others.” He says other similar things under some sort of allegory.
It is then proper that the barbarian philosophy, on which it is our business to speak, should prophesy also obscurely and by symbols, as was evinced. Such are the injunctions of Moses: “These common things, the sow, the hawk, the eagle and the raven, are not to be eaten.” For the sow is the emblem of voluptuous and unclean lust of food and lecherous and filthy licentiousness in venery, always prurient, and material, and lying in the mire and fattening for slaughter and destruction.
Fish with rough scales are considered clean, just as persons with austere, rough, unpolished, steadfast and grave traits are commended. Fish without scales are considered unclean, just as loose, fickle, insincere and effeminate traits are censured. What does the law mean when it states, “You shall not eat the camel”? From the example of an animal, it censures an unruly life and one distorted by unpleasantness. What does the law mean when it forbids one to partake of the flesh of swine? It condemns, you can be sure, a foul and filthy life—one that delights in sordid vices by placing its supreme good not in nobility of spirit but in the flesh alone. What does the law want to indicate when it forbids the hare? It denounces nervous, effeminate men. Who would use as food the flesh of the weasel? In it the law condemns theft.Who would dare partake of the skink? The law abhors a capricious and fickle life. Who would eat the newt? The law detests aberrations of the mind. Who would dare partake of the hawk, the kite or the eagle? The law hates marauders and those who live by violence. Who does not loathe the vulture? The law execrates those who look for booty in someone else’s death. Who would eat the crow? The law detests immoral and shady intentions. When the law prohibits ostrich, it disapproves of intemperance. When it condemns the nightjar, it hates those who shun the light of truth. When it bans the swan, it loathes stiff-necked pride. When it excludes the heron, it dislikes a garrulous and undisciplined tongue. When it detests the bat, it condemns those who seek out the darkness of error that is like night. The law execrates these and similar characteristics in animals. Since the animals, however, are born with such characteristics, they are without reproach. Conversely such qualities are reprehensible in humanity, which was not created with them but learns from them by comparison with contrary nature, through the exercise of their own error.
Believing people are forbidden to use fish without its fins for food. Fish with fins and scales even leap up above the water. What do the fish with fins represent if not chosen souls? They alone pass over into the body of the heavenly church.
Hence again, fish that do not have fins are forbidden from being eaten by the faithful people. For fish that have scale-fins are also accustomed to leap above the waters. What therefore is figured by finned fish except elect souls? These alone indeed pass into the body of the heavenly Church, who, supported by the fins of virtues, know how to leap through heavenly desire, so that they may reach toward things above through contemplation, although they fall back again into themselves from mortal flesh.
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Summary
Leviticus 11:10 precisely defines a category of aquatic creatures forbidden for consumption by ancient Israel, specifically those lacking both fins and scales, declaring them an "abomination." This prohibition is an integral part of the extensive dietary laws given by God, designed not merely for hygiene but primarily to establish and reinforce Israel's unique identity as a holy nation, set apart from the defiling practices of surrounding cultures. By distinguishing between clean and unclean, these laws served as a constant, tangible reminder of God's sovereign authority, His demand for purity, and His covenant people's call to reflect His holiness in every aspect of their daily lives.
Context
Literary Context
Leviticus 11 marks a significant transition within the book, moving from the detailed instructions for sacrificial worship and the consecration of the priesthood (Leviticus 1-10) to the practical application of holiness in daily life. This chapter initiates a comprehensive exposition of dietary laws, demonstrating that God's demand for purity extends beyond the tabernacle into the mundane activities of eating and living. The preceding verses (Leviticus 11:1-9) meticulously outline the criteria for permissible land animals and aquatic creatures, specifically identifying "fins and scales" as the defining characteristics of clean sea life. Therefore, Leviticus 11:10 functions as a direct and emphatic counterpoint, explicitly prohibiting any aquatic creature that fails to meet both of these criteria. This meticulous classification underscores the comprehensive and non-negotiable nature of God's law, leaving no ambiguity regarding what was considered clean or unclean for His covenant people.
Historical & Cultural Context
The dietary laws were promulgated at Mount Sinai, a pivotal moment following Israel's miraculous exodus from Egypt and the establishment of their covenant with Yahweh. These regulations were instrumental in shaping Israel's unique national and religious identity, distinguishing them sharply from the pagan societies prevalent in the ancient Near East. Many surrounding cultures consumed a wide variety of animals, including shellfish, eels, and other aquatic creatures that would be explicitly forbidden by the criteria of Leviticus 11:10. The Hebrew term for "abomination" (sheqets) carried profound theological weight, signifying not merely something undesirable but something ritually detestable and defiling in God's eyes. While practical benefits like hygiene might have been incidental, the primary purpose was theological: to visibly demonstrate Israel's allegiance to God and their separation from idolatrous practices and defiling customs. By adhering to these strict guidelines, Israel was to embody their calling as a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation," as articulated in Exodus 19:6, showcasing their distinct covenant relationship with the one true God.
Key Themes
Leviticus 11 and specifically Leviticus 11:10 contribute significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the Pentateuch. The most prominent theme is Holiness, emphasizing God's intrinsic purity and His expectation that His people reflect His character in all areas of life. The dietary laws serve as a tangible means of achieving this holiness, teaching the Israelites about Separation—that they are to be distinct from the world around them, both ritually and morally. This leads to the theme of Obedience, as adherence to these detailed commands demonstrates their submission to God's sovereign authority. Furthermore, the meticulous classifications highlight Divine Sovereignty, asserting God's prerogative to define what is clean and unclean, pure and impure. Finally, the laws foster Discernment, training the Israelites to make careful distinctions in their daily lives, a principle that extends beyond food to moral and spiritual choices, as seen in the broader call to distinguish between the holy and the common, the clean and the unclean (Leviticus 10:10).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From an uncertain derivation, this term refers collectively to the anatomical appendages that aquatic creatures use for propulsion and steering. In the context of Leviticus 11, the presence of fins is one of two non-negotiable criteria for an aquatic animal to be considered clean and permissible for consumption. Their absence, as highlighted in Leviticus 11:10, immediately disqualifies the creature from the Israelite diet, marking it as unclean.
Derived by reduplication from a root meaning "to shale off as bark," this word denotes the protective, overlapping plates covering the skin of many fish. Like fins, the presence of scales is an essential criterion for an aquatic creature to be deemed clean. The absence of scales, whether alone or in conjunction with the absence of fins, renders the creature an "abomination" and therefore forbidden. Together, fins and scales signify a particular type of free-swimming, typically bottom-feeding fish, distinguishing them from creatures like shellfish, eels, or crustaceans.
From the root shāqaṣ (to be abhorrent), this term carries significant 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 and a source of ritual pollution.
Verse Breakdown
"And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers"
This opening clause precisely defines the forbidden category of aquatic creatures. The crucial disqualifying factor is the simultaneous absence of both fins (for movement) and scales (for protection). The scope is comprehensive, applying equally to creatures found in saltwater environments ("seas") and freshwater bodies ("rivers"), indicating that the prohibition is universal across all aquatic habitats. This specificity eliminates ambiguity and underscores the meticulous nature of God's commands.
"of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which [is] in the waters"
This phrase further broadens the scope to encompass any form of aquatic locomotion or life. It ensures that the prohibition applies to every creature that lives and moves in water, regardless of its specific biological classification beyond the "fins and scales" criterion. This expansive language serves to close any potential loopholes, making the divine command exhaustive and leaving no room for interpretation that might permit consumption of otherwise unclassified aquatic life lacking the specified characteristics.
"they [shall be] an abomination unto you"
This concluding declaration is the divine verdict, delivering the ultimate pronouncement of impurity. The term "abomination" 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 profound theological significance of the dietary laws, linking physical consumption directly to spiritual purity and separation from defilement, emphasizing God's absolute authority to define what is clean and unclean for His covenant people.
Literary Devices
Leviticus 11:10 employs several literary devices to convey its message with clarity, authority, and theological weight. 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 and reinforcing the divine ordering of creation. Furthermore, the verse utilizes Contrast by implicitly setting the forbidden creatures (lacking fins and scales) against the previously permitted ones (possessing both, as detailed in Leviticus 11:9). This stark contrast reinforces the divine standards of purity and the clear boundaries God establishes for His people. Finally, the declaration "they shall be an abomination unto you" serves as a powerful Hyperbole to emphasize the extreme detestability of these creatures in God's sight, moving beyond mere dietary preference to a profound theological statement of impurity and separation. This strong language aims to instill a deep sense of aversion and strict adherence to the divine command, highlighting the severe consequences of ritual defilement.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Leviticus 11:10, situated within the broader framework of the Mosaic Law, profoundly articulates God's absolute sovereignty and His unwavering desire for a holy people. The dietary laws, far from being arbitrary regulations, served as a tangible and daily expression of Israel's unique covenant relationship with Yahweh. They taught the Israelites that God is the ultimate categorizer of reality, possessing the sole authority to define what is pure and impure, holy and common. By observing these laws, Israel was continually reminded of their distinct identity as a nation set apart for God's purposes, called to be separate from the defiling practices and idolatrous customs of surrounding pagan cultures. This physical separation through diet was a profound pedagogical tool, training them in the principles of discernment, obedience, and the pervasive nature of holiness. Ultimately, these regulations pointed beyond mere external compliance to the deeper need for spiritual purity and separation from all forms of sin and idolatry. The overarching principle is that God's people are to reflect His holiness in every aspect of their lives, from what they consume to how they worship and conduct themselves.
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 and eternally true. For the ancient Israelite, abstaining from certain foods was a daily, tangible act of remembering their identity as God's chosen people, distinct from the world's defilements. For Christians today, our call to holiness is not about external dietary restrictions but about an internal purity of heart and a spiritual separation from the values and practices of a fallen world. We are called to exercise spiritual discernment, carefully evaluating what truly nourishes our souls and what defiles our hearts and minds, choosing righteousness and truth over the "abominations" of worldly influences. This means being intentional about what we consume spiritually—the media we engage with, the thoughts we entertain, the relationships we cultivate, and the ideologies we embrace. 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 and experience His transformative power.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why were these dietary laws given to Israel in the first place?
The dietary laws, including the prohibition in Leviticus 11:10, were given primarily for profound theological and pedagogical reasons, not merely for health or hygiene. Their foremost purpose was to distinguish Israel as a holy nation, set apart for God's unique purposes and covenant relationship. By adhering to these unique regulations, the Israelites visibly demonstrated their allegiance to Yahweh and their separation from the idolatrous and often defiling practices of the surrounding pagan cultures. These laws served as a constant, tangible reminder of God's sovereignty, the importance of obedience, and the pervasive nature of holiness, which was to permeate all aspects of their lives, from the sacred to the mundane. They were a daily lesson in their identity as God's chosen people, called to reflect His purity and character to the world.
Are Christians today still bound by the dietary laws of Leviticus?
No, Christians under the New Covenant are not bound by the literal dietary laws of Leviticus. The New Testament clearly teaches that these ceremonial laws, which served as a "shadow" of things to come, have been fulfilled and superseded in Christ. Jesus Himself declared all foods clean in Mark 7:19, emphasizing that true defilement comes not from what enters a person, but from the sin that originates in the heart. This radical shift was further underscored by Peter's vision in Acts 10:9-16, where God explicitly declared what was once considered unclean to be cleansed, signifying the inclusion of Gentiles into the family of God without requiring adherence to Mosaic dietary codes. Furthermore, the Apostle Paul teaches in Romans 14:1-23 and 1 Timothy 4:4-5 that "every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving." While the literal laws are no longer binding, the underlying principles of holiness, discernment, and seeking God's will in all areas of life remain vitally important for believers.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The prohibition in Leviticus 11:10, like all the Mosaic dietary laws, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. These laws served as a "shadow of the good things to come" (Hebrews 10:1), pointing forward to a greater spiritual reality that Christ inaugurated. Through His perfect life of obedience, His atoning death on the cross, and His triumphant resurrection, Jesus abolished the ceremonial distinctions that separated Jew from Gentile and clean from unclean. He authoritatively declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19), revealing that true defilement comes not from external consumption but from the sin that originates in the human heart (Matthew 15:18-19). The groundbreaking vision given to Peter in Acts 10:9-16 powerfully underscored this radical shift, signifying that God's grace and salvation extend to all people, breaking down the barriers of ritual purity and welcoming both Jew and Gentile into the one family of God through faith in Christ. In the New Covenant, 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 precious blood of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world and living by the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, who enables believers to pursue true holiness and righteousness (Hebrews 12:14) in every aspect of their lives.