Leviticus 11:13

KJV

And these [are they which] ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they [are] an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,

KJV (with Strong's)

And these are they which ye shall have in abomination {H8262} among {H4480} the fowls {H5775}; they shall not be eaten {H398}, they are an abomination {H8263}: the eagle {H5404}, and the ossifrage {H6538}, and the ospray {H5822},

Complete Jewish Bible

"'The following creatures of the air are to be detestable for you - they are not to be eaten, they are a detestable thing: the eagle, the vulture, the osprey,

Berean Standard Bible

Additionally, you are to detest the following birds, and they must not be eaten because they are detestable: the eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture,

American Standard Version

And these ye shall have in abomination among the birds; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the gier-eagle, and the ospray,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 11:13 introduces the specific enumeration of birds deemed "abominable" and thus forbidden for consumption by the Israelites. This verse marks the beginning of a detailed list of unclean winged creatures, emphasizing God's divine decree regarding dietary purity and the foundational principles of holiness and separation for His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 11:13 is an integral part of a comprehensive chapter dedicated to the dietary laws given by God to Moses and Aaron for the Israelites. The chapter begins with a general distinction between clean and unclean animals suitable or unsuitable for food, setting the stage for specific categorizations. Verses 1-8 deal with land animals, while verses 9-12 address aquatic creatures. Verse 13 then transitions to birds, initiating a detailed list that continues through verse 19. This precise enumeration underscores the meticulous nature of God's commands, leaving no ambiguity regarding what was permissible for His people to eat, thereby reinforcing their unique identity and commitment to ritual purity. The entire chapter serves as a practical application of the broader call to holiness found throughout [the book of Leviticus](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Clean and Unclean Animals").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The dietary laws, including the prohibitions in Leviticus 11:13, were given to the ancient Israelites as part of the [Mosaic Covenant](/exodus/24-7 "Exodus 24:7 - The Mosaic Covenant at Sinai") established at Mount Sinai. These regulations served multiple purposes beyond mere hygiene. Primarily, they were designed to set Israel apart as a holy nation, distinct from the surrounding pagan cultures whose practices often involved cultic meals and sacrifices to idols, frequently consuming animals considered unclean by Yahweh. By adhering to these strict dietary codes, the Israelites were constantly reminded of their unique relationship with God and their call to be holy, just as He is holy, a theme explicitly stated in [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy"). The designation of certain animals as "abomination" (Hebrew: _sheqets_) carried significant theological weight, signifying not just physical defilement but a deep religious and moral impurity that would compromise their covenant standing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Abomination (Hebrew, שֶׁקֶץ, _sheqets_):** This term is central to understanding the verse. _Sheqets_ denotes something detestable, abhorrent, or impure, often carrying a strong moral or religious connotation of defilement rather than mere physical disgust. In the Old Testament, it is frequently associated with idolatry, pagan practices, or things that are an affront to God's holiness. Here, its application to certain fowls signifies that their consumption would render the Israelite ritually unclean and spiritually defiled, emphasizing the profound separation God desired between His people and anything that compromised their purity.
* **Eagle (Hebrew, נֶשֶׁר, _nesher_):** While often translated as "eagle," _nesher_ can broadly refer to any large raptor, including various types of eagles or vultures. In the context of Leviticus 11, the inclusion of such birds of prey or scavengers is significant. These birds consume carrion or shed blood, which were considered impure within the Israelite sacrificial system and ritual purity laws. Their predatory nature and association with death and decay likely contributed to their designation as unclean, reinforcing the life-affirming and pure nature God desired for His covenant people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And these [are they which] ye shall have in abomination among the fowls;":** This opening clause serves as a direct divine injunction, initiating the specific list of avian species that are to be considered detestable and forbidden. The phrase "among the fowls" clearly defines the category of animals being addressed, transitioning from land animals and aquatic creatures to winged creatures. The use of "abomination" immediately establishes the severe nature of the prohibition, indicating a deep-seated religious and ritual impurity associated with these birds.
* **"they shall not be eaten, they [are] an abomination:":** This clause reinforces the prohibition with an explicit command against consumption ("they shall not be eaten") and reiterates the reason for the prohibition by repeating the term "abomination." The repetition serves to emphasize the absolute nature of the prohibition and the inherent impurity of these creatures in God's sight. It underscores that the defilement is not merely a matter of dietary preference but a fundamental theological principle.
* **"the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,":** This final part of the verse begins the specific enumeration of the forbidden birds. The "eagle" (_nesher_), "ossifrage" (_peres_, likely a lammergeier or bearded vulture known for breaking bones), and "ospray" (_ozniyah_, possibly a sea eagle or black vulture) are all birds of prey or scavengers. Their inclusion at the very beginning of the list highlights their prominence as archetypes of the unclean winged creatures, likely due to their predatory habits, consumption of carrion, or association with death.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 11:13 effectively employs **Enumeration** and **Repetition** to convey its message. The verse begins the detailed **enumeration** of specific bird species, providing a clear and unambiguous list of what is forbidden. This precise listing ensures clarity and leaves no room for misinterpretation regarding God's dietary commands. Furthermore, the **repetition** of the term "abomination" ("ye shall have in abomination" and "they [are] an abomination") serves to powerfully emphasize the severity and inherent impurity associated with these birds. This rhetorical device underscores the theological weight of the prohibition, reinforcing that these creatures are not merely undesirable but fundamentally detestable in God's eyes, reflecting the sacred and distinct identity God intended for His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 11:13, as part of the broader dietary laws, profoundly connects to the overarching themes of holiness, separation, and divine authority. These regulations were not arbitrary but were divinely ordained to cultivate a distinct identity for Israel, setting them apart from the idolatrous nations around them. The concept of "abomination" highlights God's absolute standard of purity and His demand for His people to reflect His character in every aspect of their lives, including their daily sustenance. By adhering to these laws, Israel was continually reminded of their covenant relationship and their call to live a life consecrated to Yahweh, demonstrating that their God was different from the gods of the nations.

* [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - 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 Leviticus 11 are no longer binding for New Testament believers, having been fulfilled and superseded in Christ, the underlying principles of holiness, discernment, and separation from defilement remain eternally relevant. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that God desires His people to be distinct, set apart for His purposes. For believers today, this translates into a call for spiritual purity, discerning what we allow into our minds, hearts, and lives that might compromise our faith or defile our spiritual walk. This includes our entertainment choices, relationships, ideologies, and even our speech. The spirit of the law compels us to pursue Christ-likeness, separating ourselves from the "abominations" of sin and worldly influences that are contrary to God's will, ensuring our lives reflect the holiness of the One who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "abomination" in Leviticus 11:13 inform our understanding of spiritual purity today?**
* **In what areas of our lives might we need to exercise greater discernment to avoid spiritual "defilement" that compromises our walk with God?**
* **How does our freedom in Christ from Old Testament dietary laws empower us to pursue holiness in a new covenant context, focusing on internal transformation rather than external rules?**

### FAQ
**Why were specific birds like the eagle and ossifrage designated as 'abominations' in Leviticus 11:13?**

Answer: The designation of specific birds as "abominations" (Hebrew: _sheqets_) in [Leviticus 11:13](/leviticus/11-13 "Leviticus 11:13 - Unclean Birds") and subsequent verses was multifaceted. While precise reasons are not always explicitly stated, biblical scholars generally point to several likely factors. Many of the forbidden birds, including the eagle (_nesher_), ossifrage (_peres_), and ospray (_ozniyah_), are birds of prey or scavengers. Their diet often consists of carrion (dead animals) or blood, both of which were considered sources of ritual impurity within the Israelite sacrificial system and purity laws. The consumption of carrion was associated with death and decay, which stood in opposition to the life and purity God desired for His people. Furthermore, these laws served a symbolic purpose: to distinguish Israel from surrounding pagan nations who did not adhere to such distinctions. By observing these dietary restrictions, the Israelites were constantly reminded of their unique covenant relationship with God and their call to be holy and set apart, reflecting God's own character. The term "abomination" itself indicates a deep religious and moral detestability, not just a physical one, reinforcing the theological significance of these prohibitions in shaping Israel's identity as a holy nation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dietary laws, including the prohibitions in Leviticus 11:13, find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. These Old Testament regulations served as a shadow, pointing forward to a greater spiritual reality. While they physically separated Israel from the nations and taught them about purity, Christ's coming ushered in a new covenant where true purity is a matter of the heart, not adherence to external dietary codes. Jesus himself declared all foods clean in [Mark 7:18-19](/mark/7-18 "Mark 7:18-19 - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean"), emphasizing that "nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them, but what comes out of a person is what defiles them." This was further revealed to Peter in a vision in [Acts 10:15](/acts/10-15 "Acts 10:15 - Peter's Vision and Cleanliness"), where God declared, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." The New Testament explicitly states that believers are no longer bound by these food laws ([Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Freedom from Food and Festival Regulations")). Christ's perfect sacrifice on the cross cleanses us from all sin, making us truly clean before God, not through ritualistic observances but through His shed blood ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience")). The "abomination" of sin, which truly defiles humanity, is dealt with through His atoning work, shifting the focus from external dietary purity to internal spiritual transformation and holiness of life in union with Him.

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.