Leviticus 11:18

KJV

And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle,

KJV (with Strong's)

And the swan {H8580}, and the pelican {H6893}, and the gier eagle {H7360},

Complete Jewish Bible

the horned owl, the pelican, the barn owl,

Berean Standard Bible

the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey,

American Standard Version

and the horned owl, and the pelican, and the vulture,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 11:18 is a specific divine prohibition within the broader Mosaic dietary laws, identifying the swan, pelican, and gier eagle as birds forbidden for consumption by the Israelites. This verse, part of a meticulous catalog of clean and unclean animals, underscores God's detailed instructions designed to cultivate a life of holiness, separation, and distinct identity for His covenant people. These regulations served not merely as hygienic guidelines, but primarily as tangible expressions of Israel's unique relationship with a holy God, setting them apart from the surrounding nations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 11:18 is situated within the comprehensive dietary regulations found throughout [Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Laws Concerning Clean and Unclean Animals"). This chapter meticulously details which animals, birds, fish, and insects are permissible ("clean") and impermissible ("unclean") for the Israelites to eat. The specific list of unclean birds commences in [Leviticus 11:13](/leviticus/11-13 "Leviticus 11:13 - Beginning of Unclean Birds List") and continues through [Leviticus 11:19](/leviticus/11-19 "Leviticus 11:19 - End of Unclean Birds List"), encompassing various birds of prey, scavengers, and certain water birds. The entire chapter is framed by a powerful reiteration of God's command for His people to be holy, as He is holy, a divine imperative explicitly stated in [Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy"), thereby presenting the dietary laws as a practical means of living out this fundamental theological principle.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, many cultures surrounding Israel engaged in practices, including dietary habits, that Yahweh explicitly commanded His people to avoid. The distinction between clean and unclean animals served as a profound boundary marker, designed to set Israel apart from their pagan neighbors who often consumed animals considered an abomination by God. These laws were not primarily for incidental health benefits, though some may have existed; rather, they were fundamentally theological and sociological. They instilled discipline, reinforced the covenant relationship with God, and visibly demonstrated Israel's unique status as a consecrated nation. By adhering to these regulations, the Israelites were constantly reminded of their distinct identity and their call to reflect God's holiness in every aspect of their lives, including what they consumed. This separation was crucial in preventing assimilation into the idolatrous and morally corrupt practices of the surrounding nations, a warning echoed throughout the Pentateuch, for instance, in the prohibitions against adopting Canaanite customs found in [Deuteronomy 12](/deuteronomy/12 "Deuteronomy 12 - Warnings Against Pagan Practices").
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 11:18 contributes directly to the overarching theme of **holiness** and **separation** that permeates the book of Leviticus. The meticulous dietary laws serve as a tangible expression of Israel's call to be a holy nation, distinct from the defiling practices of the surrounding peoples. This distinction reinforced their **covenant relationship** with Yahweh, reminding them daily of their unique status as His chosen people. The concept of **purity** versus **impurity** is central, extending beyond ritual cleanliness to encompass moral and spiritual integrity. The very act of discerning between clean and unclean foods became a daily exercise in **obedience** and **discernment**, fostering a deep awareness of God's sovereignty and His desire for His people to reflect His character. This theme of separation for holiness is foundational to Israel's identity, as emphasized in passages like [Leviticus 20:26](/leviticus/20-26 "Leviticus 20:26 - Be Holy to Me").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Swan (Hebrew, _tanshemeth'_):** From the root meaning "to breathe hard," this term (H8580) is used for two unclean creatures: a lizard and a bird. While the KJV translates it as "swan," the Strong's data suggests it refers to a "hard breather," possibly due to its irascibility or changing color. It is identified as "probably the tree-toad and the water-hen; mole, swan." Its inclusion among the unclean birds points to characteristics associated with ritual impurity, whether related to its habitat, behavior, or perceived nature.
* **Pelican (Hebrew, _qâʼath'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to vomit," this word (H6893) is identified as "probably the pelican (from vomiting); cormorant." This large water bird, known for its distinctive pouch and method of eating, was likely deemed unclean due to its association with desolate places or its feeding habits, which might have been considered ritually impure according to the Mosaic code.
* **Gier Eagle (Hebrew, _râchâm'_):** This term (H7360), also translatable as "vulture" or "carrion vulture," is described as "a kind of vulture (supposed to be tender towards its young); gier-eagle." This bird is a scavenger, primarily feeding on carrion and refuse. Its inclusion among the unclean birds is highly consistent with the general principle that birds of prey and scavengers, which consume dead or decaying matter, were considered ritually defiling and unsuitable for consumption by a people called to life and holiness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the swan":** This phrase introduces the first of three specific birds deemed ritually impure for consumption. The ambiguity surrounding the precise identification of the Hebrew term (_tanshemeth_) suggests that its "unclean" status was rooted in its perceived nature or habits—whether predatory, nocturnal, or associated with specific habitats—rather than a universally recognized species. Its inclusion highlights the meticulous nature of God's dietary distinctions.
* **"and the pelican":** The enumeration of the pelican, a large water bird, further diversifies the types of birds prohibited. Its presence suggests that the prohibitions extended beyond just birds of prey or scavengers, possibly including certain water fowl due to their habitat (e.g., stagnant waters) or their method of feeding, which could have been perceived as impure or defiling according to the divine decree.
* **"and the gier eagle":** This final bird in the verse, most likely a type of vulture, strongly reinforces the principle of avoiding scavengers. Vultures are quintessential consumers of carrion, directly associating them with death and decay, which were antithetical to the life and purity God desired for His people. The enumeration of these distinct birds emphasizes the comprehensive and specific nature of the dietary laws, leaving no ambiguity regarding the boundaries of acceptable consumption.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Leviticus 11:18, as part of the broader chapter, is **Enumeration**. The text systematically lists specific animals and birds, creating a detailed catalog of what is permissible and what is forbidden. This precise listing serves to leave no ambiguity regarding the divine commands, underscoring the meticulous nature of God's instructions for His people's holiness. Furthermore, there is significant **Symbolism** at play. While the literal birds are identified, they also symbolize broader categories of impurity. Birds of prey and scavengers, like the gier eagle (vulture), symbolize death, decay, and violence, which are antithetical to the life and purity God calls His people to embody. The inclusion of water birds like the pelican or swan also carries symbolic weight, perhaps representing the wild, untamed, or "unclean" aspects of creation that were not to be incorporated into the Israelite diet, thereby reinforcing their separation from the world and their dedication to a holy God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 11:18, as part of the broader dietary laws, profoundly connects to the overarching theme of holiness and separation that permeates the book of Leviticus. God's command for Israel to be holy, "for I am holy" ([Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - God's Command for Holiness")), was not merely an abstract theological concept but was to be lived out tangibly in every aspect of their lives, including their diet. These laws served as a constant, daily reminder of their covenant relationship with Yahweh and their distinct identity as His chosen people, set apart from the defiling practices of the surrounding pagan nations. By meticulously adhering to these distinctions, Israel visibly demonstrated their obedience, their reliance on divine instruction, and their commitment to reflecting God's purity in a world steeped in idolatry and moral corruption. The physical act of discerning between clean and unclean foods thus became a spiritual exercise in discernment and dedication, reinforcing their unique status as a consecrated nation.

* [Deuteronomy 14:3](/deuteronomy/14-3-20 "Deuteronomy 14:3-20 - Clean and Unclean Animals")
* [Ezekiel 44:23](/ezekiel/44-23 "Ezekiel 44:23 - Distinguishing Between Holy and Common")
* [2 Corinthians 6:17](/2_corinthians/6-17 "2 Corinthians 6:17 - Come Out From Among Them")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific dietary prohibitions of Leviticus 11:18 and the broader chapter are understood by Christians to have been part of the Old Covenant's ceremonial law, fulfilled and transcended in Christ, the underlying principles remain profoundly relevant for believers today. We are no longer bound by literal food restrictions, as the New Testament clarifies that "all foods are clean" in [Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - All Foods Clean") and Peter's vision in [Acts 10:15](/acts/10-15 "Acts 10:15 - What God Has Made Clean") confirms. However, the call to holiness and separation from the world's defilement endures. Just as Israel was called to discern between clean and unclean animals, believers today are called to exercise spiritual discernment to distinguish between what honors God and what defiles the spirit, mind, and body. This means actively choosing purity in thought, word, and deed, avoiding practices and influences that compromise our witness or draw us away from God. The meticulousness of God's instructions in Leviticus reminds us that our walk with Him is comprehensive, impacting every area of our lives, and calls for intentional obedience to His revealed will, albeit now through the lens of the New Covenant and the indwelling Holy Spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "holiness" in Leviticus 11:18 translate into practical living for a New Testament believer today?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be inadvertently consuming or engaging with "unclean" influences that hinder my spiritual purity or witness?**
* **How can I cultivate greater spiritual discernment in a world that often blurs the lines between what is pure and what is defiling?**

### FAQ
**Why were these specific birds considered "unclean" by God?**

Answer: The specific reasons for each animal's designation as "clean" or "unclean" are not explicitly stated in the text, but scholars generally identify several patterns. Birds like the swan, pelican, and gier eagle (vulture) were likely deemed unclean due to their predatory or scavenging nature (consuming carrion or other animals), their association with desolate places, or their general habits that were perceived as ritually impure. The overall purpose was not primarily hygienic, but theological: to establish clear boundaries for Israel, reinforcing their unique identity and call to holiness as God's chosen people, distinct from the practices of surrounding pagan nations. The consumption of such animals would have blurred the lines between Israel and the world, compromising their consecrated status as outlined in [Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44-45 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy").

**Are Christians today still bound by the dietary laws of Leviticus 11, including the prohibition against these birds?**

Answer: No, Christians are not bound by the literal dietary laws of [Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Dietary Laws"). The New Testament teaches that these ceremonial laws were part of the Old Covenant and have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself declared "all foods clean" in [Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - All Foods Clean"), emphasizing that defilement comes from within a person, not from what they eat. Furthermore, Peter's vision in [Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9-16 "Acts 10:9-16 - Peter's Vision of Clean and Unclean Animals") explicitly revealed that God had made clean what was formerly considered unclean, signifying the inclusion of Gentiles into the covenant and the abolition of the ceremonial food laws. The apostle Paul also addresses this in [Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God Is Not Food and Drink"), stating that "the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." While the literal commands are no longer applicable, the underlying principles of holiness, discernment, and obedience to God's will remain vital for believers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 11:18, with its specific prohibitions against certain birds, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies and transcends the Old Covenant's demands for holiness. The dietary laws, including the distinction between clean and unclean animals, served as a "shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ" ([Colossians 2:17](/colossians/2-17 "Colossians 2:17 - Shadow of Things to Come")). In His earthly ministry, Jesus declared all foods clean ([Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - All Foods Clean")), shifting the focus from external ritual purity to internal heart purity, demonstrating that true defilement originates from within a person, not from what they consume. This radical reinterpretation was further revealed to Peter in his vision in [Acts 10](/acts/10 "Acts 10 - Peter's Vision and Cornelius's Conversion"), where God commanded him to eat formerly unclean animals, signaling the end of the ceremonial food laws and the inclusion of Gentiles into the family of God without requiring adherence to Mosaic dietary codes. Christ's sacrifice on the cross purifies not just our bodies, but our very souls, making us truly clean before a holy God. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), rendering all previous sacrifices and ritual distinctions obsolete by His perfect and complete work. Through Him, believers are made holy and set apart, not by what they eat, but by His Spirit indwelling them, enabling them to live lives of spiritual purity and obedience that far surpass mere external adherence to rules.

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.