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 But the law being repealed, and the learning in a great measure lost, it is sufficient for us to observe that of the fowls here forbidden, (1.)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.
Continue studying Leviticus 11:19 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
Summary
Leviticus 11:19 is a concise enumeration within the Mosaic Law's comprehensive dietary regulations, specifically listing four creatures—the stork, the heron, the lapwing, and the bat—as ceremonially unclean for consumption by the Israelites. This verse, part of a larger chapter detailing permissible and forbidden animals, underscores God's meticulous instructions for His covenant people, distinguishing them from surrounding nations and instilling principles of holiness, purity, and obedience in their daily lives, thereby reflecting His own character.
Context
Literary Context
Leviticus 11 initiates a detailed exposition of dietary laws, forming a significant part of the Holiness Code (Leviticus 17-26) which emphasizes Israel's call to be holy as God is holy. The chapter begins with a general command from God to Moses and Aaron regarding clean and unclean animals in Leviticus 11:1-2. It then systematically categorizes land animals based on their cloven hoofs and cud-chewing habits (Leviticus 11:3-8), aquatic creatures by fins and scales (Leviticus 11:9-12), and a lengthy list of birds deemed unclean (Leviticus 11:13-19). Following this, the chapter addresses winged insects (Leviticus 11:20-23) and the broader implications of contact with unclean carcasses, emphasizing the need for ritual purification (Leviticus 11:24-40). The chapter culminates with a theological rationale for these laws: the command for Israel to be holy because the Lord their God is holy, as articulated in Leviticus 11:44-47. Thus, verse 19 is a specific instance within a comprehensive framework designed to define and maintain Israel's ritual purity and distinct identity before God.
Historical & Cultural Context
The dietary laws of Leviticus were given to the newly formed nation of Israel shortly after their exodus from Egypt and during their wilderness wanderings, as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. These regulations served multiple purposes within their historical and cultural milieu. Firstly, they set Israel apart from the pagan nations surrounding them, such as the Egyptians and Canaanites, whose religious practices often involved consuming animals that Israel was forbidden to eat. For example, some animals considered unclean by Israel, like pigs, were consumed by other cultures. This distinction reinforced Israel's unique covenant relationship with Yahweh, emphasizing their identity as a "holy nation, a kingdom of priests" (Exodus 19:6). Secondly, while some scholars propose hygienic or practical reasons for certain prohibitions (e.g., avoiding parasites from scavengers), the primary rationale presented in the text is theological: to promote holiness and ritual purity. Contact with unclean animals, whether through consumption or touch, rendered a person ritually impure, requiring purification rites. This constant reminder of purity and defilement, even in mundane activities like eating, taught the Israelites the pervasive nature of sin and the necessity of God's prescribed means of atonement and cleansing. The meticulous detail of these laws underscored God's absolute sovereignty over all creation and His desire for His people to reflect His character in every aspect of their lives, from the sacred to the seemingly secular.
Key Themes
Leviticus 11:19 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. The most prominent is Holiness, which is central to the entire book. God's command for Israel to "be holy, for I am holy" (Leviticus 11:44) is the theological bedrock for these laws, demonstrating that holiness permeates all aspects of life, not just cultic worship. Related to this is the theme of Distinction and Separation. The dietary laws, along with other purity regulations, served to distinguish Israel from the surrounding pagan nations, reinforcing their unique covenant identity as God's chosen people. This separation was not merely for ritualistic purposes but was intended to foster a distinct moral and ethical character. Furthermore, the chapter highlights Obedience to Divine Command. The meticulous nature of these lists emphasizes God's sovereignty and His expectation of Israel's complete submission to His revealed will. Even seemingly arbitrary rules were tests of faith and trust in God's wisdom. Finally, there's an underlying theme of Order and Creation. The classification of animals into clean and unclean categories often reflects a divine ordering of creation, where animals that blur categories (like the bat, a flying mammal) or consume things associated with death (like scavengers) are deemed unclean, reinforcing the divine preference for order and life.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
Feminine of חָסִיד, meaning "the kind (maternal) bird," i.e., a stork. This designation likely refers to the stork's perceived devotion to its young or its reliable migratory patterns. Despite this seemingly positive connotation, the stork is listed as unclean, possibly due to its diet of reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals, or its association with desolate places. Its inclusion highlights that the criteria for uncleanness were not based on human sentiment or observable "good" traits but on divine decree and the animal's natural habits or classification.
Of uncertain derivation, identified as the hoopoe or grouse. This term is most commonly associated with the hoopoe, a distinctive bird known for its crest and its habit of foraging in dung and decaying matter. Its inclusion among the forbidden birds is likely due to its association with unsanitary environments and its diet, which would have rendered it ritually impure according to the Mosaic Law. The KJV's "lapwing" is a plausible translation, though "hoopoe" is widely accepted in modern scholarship.
Of uncertain derivation, meaning a bat. Uniquely, the bat is listed here among birds, despite being a mammal. This classification underscores that the biblical categories of "flying creatures" (עוֹף, ʿôp̄) were not strictly biological as understood today but rather based on observable characteristics, in this case, the ability to fly. Bats are nocturnal and often associated with caves and darkness, which may have contributed to their designation as unclean. Their unique form and habits placed them outside the typical categories of clean flying creatures, symbolizing a blurring of created categories.
Verse Breakdown
"And the stork"
The first bird listed, the stork (Hebrew ḥăçîydâ), is explicitly designated as unclean. This large, migratory wading bird, despite its name implying "kindness," was forbidden, likely due to its diet and habitat, which did not align with the divine standards for clean animals, possibly including its consumption of carrion or reptiles.
"the heron after her kind"
This phrase includes the heron (Hebrew ʾănāp̄â) and all its various species or types. Herons are typically found in marshy areas and consume fish and other aquatic creatures. The inclusion of "after her kind" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the prohibition, extending to the entire family of these birds, ensuring no loophole for similar species.
"and the lapwing"
This refers to the lapwing or hoopoe (Hebrew dûḵîp̄aṯ), a bird known for its distinctive appearance and its habit of feeding on insects found in refuse or decaying matter. Its association with unsanitary environments and its diet likely contributed to its classification as unclean, as it violated the principles of purity God intended for His people.
"and the bat"
The inclusion of the bat (Hebrew ʿaṭallêph) is particularly notable because, biologically, it is a mammal, not a bird. However, in the biblical classification of flying creatures, the bat is grouped with birds due to its ability to fly. Its nocturnal nature and association with dark, desolate places, along with its unique biological classification that blurs the lines between birds and land animals, may have contributed to its designation as unclean, as it did not fit the criteria for clean flying creatures.
Literary Devices
Leviticus 11:19 primarily employs Enumeration, meticulously listing specific creatures to be avoided. This device, used throughout the chapter, creates a comprehensive and precise set of regulations, leaving no ambiguity about what is forbidden. The detailed nature of the list emphasizes God's attention to detail and His expectation of absolute adherence from His people in matters of purity. Coupled with enumeration is Categorization, as the verse, like the rest of Leviticus 11, systematically classifies animals based on observable traits (e.g., ability to fly) rather than modern biological taxonomy. This categorization serves to define boundaries and distinctions, reinforcing the concept of ritual purity and the divine ordering of creation. Furthermore, an underlying Symbolism is present, where the "unclean" status of these animals represents a state of separation from God's ideal of holiness and order. By avoiding these creatures, Israel was symbolically enacting their commitment to a life set apart for Yahweh, reflecting His purity and distinction from the chaotic or defiling aspects of the world.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Leviticus 11:19, as part of the broader dietary laws, profoundly connects to the theological themes of holiness, distinction, and obedience within the Old Covenant. These laws were not merely arbitrary rules but served as tangible expressions of God's character and His desire for His people to reflect that character. By meticulously defining what was clean and unclean, God taught Israel that their entire lives, including their most basic activities like eating, were to be lived in conscious awareness of His presence and His standards of purity. This fostered a deep sense of identity as a people set apart by God, distinct from the nations around them whose practices often blurred the lines between the sacred and the profane. The laws instilled discipline and a constant reminder of God's sovereignty, preparing Israel for a deeper relationship with Him and for their role as a light to the nations.
Reflection and Application
While the specific dietary laws of Leviticus 11 are part of the Old Covenant and are not binding on New Testament believers, the underlying principles of holiness, distinction, and obedience remain profoundly relevant for Christians today. These ancient regulations taught Israel that God cares about every detail of life and that true devotion involves submitting to His will in all areas, even seemingly mundane ones like food. For us, this translates into a call to live lives of spiritual purity and discernment, set apart from the values and practices of a world often at odds with God's kingdom. We are called to be holy, not by adhering to dietary codes, but by yielding our hearts, minds, and actions to Christ, allowing His Spirit to transform us from within. This means making conscious choices that honor God, discerning what is spiritually nourishing versus what might defile our walk with Him, and living as ambassadors of His kingdom in a fallen world. Our pursuit of holiness is no longer about external rules but an internal transformation that manifests in righteous living.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why are these specific animals listed as unclean, and what was the underlying principle?
The specific reasons for each animal's designation as unclean are not explicitly stated in the text, but scholars propose several possibilities. For birds like the stork, heron, and lapwing, their diets often consisted of carrion, reptiles, or insects, or they were associated with desolate or swampy environments. The bat, a flying mammal, did not fit the typical categories of clean flying creatures. The underlying principle was primarily theological: to teach Israel about holiness and separation. Animals that were scavengers, predatory, associated with death or darkness, or did not fit the "normal" categories of creation (e.g., a flying mammal among birds, or a fish without fins and scales) were often deemed unclean. This distinction reinforced the idea that Israel was to be a people of order, purity, and life, set apart from anything that symbolized disorder, death, or defilement. The ultimate goal was to impress upon them the importance of being holy as God is holy, as stated in Leviticus 11:44-45.
Are these dietary laws still binding on Christians today?
No, the specific dietary laws of Leviticus, including the prohibitions in Leviticus 11, are not binding on New Testament believers. The New Testament clearly indicates a shift in these regulations. In Acts 10, Peter receives a vision where God declares all foods clean, symbolizing the breaking down of ceremonial barriers between Jews and Gentiles and the universal availability of salvation through Christ. Paul further clarifies in Romans 14:17 that "the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." He also states in Colossians 2:16-17 that believers should not be judged for matters of food or drink, as these were "a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ." While the literal laws are fulfilled in Christ, the spiritual principles of holiness, discernment, and living a life set apart for God remain eternally relevant.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The dietary laws of Leviticus 11, including the prohibition of creatures like the stork, heron, lapwing, and bat, find their ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. These Old Covenant regulations, with their meticulous distinctions between clean and unclean, served as a "shadow" pointing to a greater spiritual reality that would be fully revealed in Christ (Colossians 2:16-17). Before Christ, external adherence to these laws marked Israel as God's separated people, symbolizing the pervasive nature of sin and the need for purity to approach a holy God. However, Jesus, through His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection, broke down the very barriers of defilement that these laws represented. He declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19), signifying that true defilement comes not from what enters the body, but from the sin that originates in the heart (Mark 7:20-23). Moreover, His sacrifice on the cross purifies us from all sin, making us truly clean before God, not through ritualistic observances, but through faith in Him (Hebrews 9:13-14). In Christ, the external, ceremonial holiness is superseded by an internal, spiritual holiness, empowering believers to live lives of purity and distinction by the indwelling Holy Spirit, becoming a "holy priesthood" offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Him (1 Peter 2:5). Thus, the prohibition of the bat and other creatures in Leviticus 11:19 ultimately points to Christ, who cleanses us from all uncleanness and enables us to draw near to God with a pure heart, establishing a new covenant where spiritual purity, not dietary laws, defines God's people.