Leviticus 11:11

KJV

They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination.

KJV (with Strong's)

They shall be even an abomination {H8263} unto you; ye shall not eat {H398} of their flesh {H1320}, but ye shall have their carcases {H5038} in abomination {H8262}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yes, these will be detestable for you -you are not to eat their meat, and you are to detest their carcasses.

Berean Standard Bible

They shall be an abomination to you; you must not eat their meat, and you must detest their carcasses.

American Standard Version

and they shall be an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, and their carcasses ye shall have in abomination.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 11:11 is a pivotal verse within the comprehensive dietary laws given to ancient Israel, specifically reiterating the prohibition against consuming or even touching the carcasses of certain aquatic creatures. It declares such creatures an "abomination," underscoring their profound ritual impurity and their unsuitability for a people called to be holy and set apart by God. This verse reinforces the severity of the divine command, emphasizing that these particular animals were not merely unclean but utterly detestable in God's sight for consumption or contact.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 11 provides a detailed taxonomy of animals, categorizing them as "clean" or "unclean" for consumption. The preceding verses establish the general principle for aquatic life: only creatures with fins and scales are permissible ([Leviticus 11:9](/leviticus/11-9 "Leviticus 11:9 - Permissible Aquatic Creatures")). Conversely, [Leviticus 11:10](/leviticus/11-10 "Leviticus 11:10 - Forbidden Aquatic Creatures") explicitly forbids "all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers," referring to a wide array of shellfish and other aquatic invertebrates. Leviticus 11:11 then serves as a powerful reinforcement of this prohibition, elevating the status of these forbidden creatures from merely "unclean" to an "abomination," thereby intensifying the divine detestation and the severity of the command against their consumption or even contact with their dead bodies. This repetition underscores the importance of the distinction for Israel's ritual purity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The dietary laws in Leviticus were fundamental to Israel's identity as God's chosen people, distinguishing them from surrounding pagan nations whose culinary practices often included animals forbidden by Yahweh. These laws were not arbitrary but served multiple purposes: they were a tangible expression of Israel's covenant relationship with God, a practical means of maintaining ritual purity in a society where holiness was paramount, and a constant reminder of God's sovereignty over all creation. While some scholars propose potential hygienic benefits, the primary emphasis in the text is theological—to teach Israel about holiness, obedience, and separation. The concept of "abomination" (Hebrew: *sheqets*) was deeply rooted in the ancient Near East, often referring to things detestable to a deity, and its application here emphasizes the profound spiritual offense these forbidden practices would represent to the holy God of Israel. The laws were part of a larger system designed to cultivate a distinct, holy people for God, as commanded throughout the Pentateuch, for example in [Deuteronomy 14](/deuteronomy/14 "Deuteronomy 14 - Clean and Unclean Animals").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Abomination (Hebrew, _sheqets'_):** This term (שֶׁקֶץ) is a very strong and severe word in Hebrew, denoting something utterly detestable, loathsome, or abhorrent. Unlike *tameh* (unclean), which can refer to a temporary state of ritual impurity, *sheqets* implies an inherent, profound impurity that makes something repugnant or offensive, particularly in a religious or moral sense. Its use here signifies God's deep-seated detestation for these creatures as food, marking them as fundamentally contrary to His standards of purity for His people.
* **Flesh (Hebrew, _basar'_):** While a common word (בָּשָׂר) for "flesh" or "meat," its inclusion here specifically targets the consumption of the animal's edible parts. It highlights the direct act of eating as the primary violation, emphasizing that the very substance of these creatures, when ingested, would defile the one who consumes it.
* **Carcases (Hebrew, _nevelah'_):** This term (נְבֵלָה) refers to the dead body of an animal. The prohibition extends beyond merely eating the flesh to include any contact with their dead bodies. This indicates that the impurity of these creatures was so pervasive that even their lifeless remains imparted defilement, reinforcing the absolute separation God demanded from them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They shall be even an abomination unto you;":** This declarative statement establishes the inherent status of these finless and scaleless aquatic creatures. God Himself pronounces them as detestable, not merely as a matter of dietary preference, but as a fundamental aspect of their nature in relation to Israel's holiness. This divine decree sets the absolute standard for Israel's interaction with them.
* **"ye shall not eat of their flesh,":** This is the direct and explicit prohibition against consumption. It is a clear command, leaving no ambiguity about the forbidden act. The focus on "flesh" emphasizes the act of ingestion as the primary way defilement would enter the individual.
* **"but ye shall have their carcases in abomination.":** This clause extends the prohibition beyond consumption to include any physical contact with the dead bodies of these creatures. It underscores the pervasive nature of their impurity, indicating that even touching their remains would render one ritually defiled, necessitating purification rituals. This reinforces the comprehensive nature of the separation God required.

#### Literary Devices
The verse prominently employs **Repetition** of the word "abomination" ("abomination unto you" and "have their carcases in abomination"). This repetition serves to amplify the severity and absolute nature of the prohibition, deeply imprinting the concept of detestability upon the reader. It functions as a **Rhetorical Emphasis**, ensuring that the profound impurity of these creatures is unequivocally understood. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Legal Language** through its direct commands and prohibitions ("ye shall not eat," "ye shall have"). This direct address reinforces the divine authority behind the law and the expectation of strict obedience. The structure also demonstrates a form of **Categorization**, specifically defining what is utterly unacceptable, thereby contributing to the broader system of clean and unclean distinctions in the chapter.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 11:11, embedded within the broader dietary laws, powerfully communicates God's unwavering call for His people to live a life of holiness and distinction. These regulations were not arbitrary but served as tangible expressions of Israel's covenant relationship with a holy God, teaching them to discern between the sacred and the profane, the pure and the impure. By adhering to these commands, Israel physically demonstrated their obedience and their unique identity as a nation set apart from the surrounding pagan cultures. The concept of "abomination" highlights God's absolute standards of purity and His detestation for anything that contradicts His holy character.

* [Leviticus 19:2](/leviticus/19-2 "Leviticus 19:2 - Be Holy, for I Am Holy")
* [Deuteronomy 14:3](/deuteronomy/14-3 "Deuteronomy 14:3 - Do Not Eat Abominable Things")
* [Ezekiel 4:14](/ezekiel/4-14 "Ezekiel 4:14 - Ezekiel's Refusal to Eat Unclean Food")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific dietary laws of the Old Covenant are no longer binding for New Testament believers, the profound spiritual principles embedded in Leviticus 11:11 remain eternally relevant. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that God is holy and desires His people to reflect His character by living lives set apart for Him. Our call to holiness today is not about external dietary restrictions but about internal transformation and spiritual discernment. We are to be a people who recognize and reject "spiritual abominations"—anything that defiles our relationship with God, contradicts His Word, or compromises our witness in the world. This includes idolatry, sinful practices, ungodly influences, and anything that would lead us away from Christ-like living. The passage challenges us to cultivate a keen spiritual sensitivity to what is truly detestable in God's sight, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in living a life of purity and distinction in a fallen world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's call to holiness in the Old Testament, as exemplified by these dietary laws, inform our understanding of Christian living today?**
* **What "spiritual abominations" (e.g., certain media, attitudes, or activities) might believers need to discern and avoid in contemporary culture to maintain spiritual purity?**
* **In what practical ways can we live out a life of separation and purity, not by legalism, but by love for God and a desire to reflect His character?**

### FAQ
**Why were these specific creatures considered an "abomination" by God?**

Answer: The Bible does not explicitly state the precise reasons for each dietary prohibition. However, the designation of certain creatures as an "abomination" (Hebrew: *sheqets*) goes beyond mere ritual uncleanness (*tameh*). It signifies a profound detestability in God's sight. The primary theological reason was to establish and maintain Israel's holiness and distinct identity as God's covenant people. By adhering to these laws, Israel visibly separated itself from the practices of surrounding pagan nations, reinforcing their unique relationship with Yahweh. While some scholars propose potential hygienic benefits (e.g., shellfish can carry toxins), the biblical text consistently emphasizes the theological purpose: to teach obedience, purity, and the sacredness of life under God's covenant. The laws served as a constant, tangible reminder of God's sovereignty and His desire for a holy people, as seen in passages like [Leviticus 20:25-26](/leviticus/20-25 "Leviticus 20:25-26 - Distinction Between Clean and Unclean").

**Are these dietary laws still binding for Christians today?**

Answer: No, the specific dietary laws found in Leviticus are generally not considered binding for New Testament believers. The New Testament teaches that with the coming of Christ, the ceremonial and dietary laws of the Old Covenant have been fulfilled or superseded. Jesus Himself declared all foods clean ([Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean")), stating that defilement comes from within a person, not from what they eat. The Apostle Peter's vision in [Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9 "Acts 10:9-16 - Peter's Vision of the Sheet") explicitly illustrates God's declaration that what He has made clean should no longer be called unclean. Furthermore, Paul addresses this in his letters, emphasizing that "everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving" ([1 Timothy 4:4-5](/1_timothy/4-4 "1 Timothy 4:4-5 - Everything God Created is Good")). While the specific dietary prohibitions are no longer in effect, the underlying principles of holiness, spiritual discernment, and living a life pleasing to God remain profoundly relevant for Christians.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 11:11, with its declaration of certain creatures as an "abomination," finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Covenant dietary laws served to set Israel apart and teach them about external purity, Christ's coming ushered in a New Covenant where the focus shifted from outward regulations to inward transformation. Jesus Himself declared all foods clean ([Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean")), explaining that "what comes out of a person is what defiles them" ([Matthew 15:11](/matthew/15-11 "Matthew 15:11 - What Defiles a Person")). This radical shift reveals that true defilement originates not from what enters the body, but from the sinful heart. Christ, the spotless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfilled the requirements of the law, not by merely adhering to external codes, but by living a life of absolute purity and offering Himself as the final sacrifice for sin. Through His atoning work on the cross, He dealt with the ultimate "abomination"—human sin—making it possible for us to be truly cleansed and reconciled to a holy God. Our holiness now comes not from avoiding certain foods, but from being united with Christ, who "became sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Thus, the call to be holy, as found in [1 Peter 1:16](/1_peter/1-16 "1 Peter 1:16 - Be Holy, for I Am Holy"), is now realized through Christ's perfect work and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to live lives set apart for God from the inside out.

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.