Leviticus 11:2

KJV

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These [are] the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that [are] on the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

Speak {H1696} unto the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, saying {H559}, These {H2063} are the beasts {H2416} which ye shall eat {H398} among all the beasts {H929} that are on the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Tell the people of Isra'el, 'These are the living creatures which you may eat among all the land animals:

Berean Standard Bible

“Say to the Israelites, ‘Of all the beasts of the earth, these ones you may eat:

American Standard Version

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the living things which ye may eat among all the beasts that are on the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 11:2 serves as the divine preamble to God's comprehensive dietary laws for ancient Israel, initiating a detailed exposition of what animals are permissible ("clean") and impermissible ("unclean") for consumption. This foundational verse articulates God's sovereign prerogative to establish the parameters of His people's daily lives, thereby setting the stage for regulations that would tangibly express Israel's unique identity, cultivate their holiness, and reinforce their covenant relationship with the Lord amidst the surrounding pagan nations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 11:2 marks a pivotal transition within the book of Leviticus, shifting the narrative's focus from the sacred space of the Tabernacle and the meticulously detailed sacrificial system (chapters 1-10) to the practicalities of daily life for the Israelite community. The preceding chapters established the means by which Israel could approach a holy God and maintain ritual purity in worship. Chapter 11, introduced by this verse, extends the concept of holiness beyond the sanctuary into the mundane act of eating, demonstrating that God's claim on His people encompassed every aspect of their existence. This verse introduces the comprehensive list of clean and unclean animals, birds, and sea creatures that follows in [Leviticus 11:3-23](/leviticus/11-3-23 "Leviticus 11:3-23 - Criteria for Clean and Unclean Animals"), establishing the divine mandate for these distinctions and framing them as direct commands from God to His covenant people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** These dietary laws were delivered to the children of Israel during their formative period in the wilderness, shortly after their miraculous exodus from Egypt and the solemn ratification of their covenant with Yahweh at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Giving of the Law at Mount Sinai"). In the diverse religious landscape of the ancient Near East, dietary customs were often deeply intertwined with religious practices, including idolatrous worship and cultic rituals. By instituting specific and distinctive dietary regulations, God provided a tangible and constant means for Israel to maintain their unique identity and separation from the idolatrous practices of the surrounding pagan nations. While some incidental health benefits may have existed, the primary purpose of these "kosher laws" was profoundly theological: to cultivate holiness, teach unwavering obedience to divine command, and serve as a daily, visible reminder of their unique status as God's chosen people, consecrated and set apart for His exclusive purposes. This served to prevent cultural and religious assimilation, reinforcing their exclusive covenant relationship with Yahweh, who alone defined what was pure, acceptable, and holy.
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 11:2 introduces and reinforces several foundational theological themes central to the book of Leviticus and the broader Old Testament narrative. Foremost among these is **Holiness**, emphasizing God's intrinsic purity and His call for His people to reflect His character in all areas of life, including their diet. The distinction between clean and unclean animals serves as a tangible illustration of the need for separation and purity. This directly relates to the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, as God, the Creator, asserts His absolute authority to define what is permissible and what is prohibited for His creation. The giving of these laws also underscores the theme of **Covenant Identity**, marking Israel as a people distinct from all other nations, set apart by divine decree and bound by a unique relationship with Yahweh. Finally, the act of adhering to these detailed regulations highlights the theme of **Obedience**, demonstrating that true worship and covenant faithfulness extend beyond ritual practices to encompass the daily choices and disciplines of life, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 14:3-20](/deuteronomy/14-3-20 "Deuteronomy 14:3-20 - Reiteration of Dietary Laws") which reiterates these principles.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Speak (Hebrew, _dâbar'_ H1696):** This primitive root signifies a direct, authoritative utterance. Its use here emphasizes that the dietary laws are not human inventions, cultural adaptations, or matters of preference, but rather divinely ordained commands. This underscores their absolute authority and the expectation of Israel's unquestioning obedience, highlighting that these are God's explicit instructions.
* **Children (Hebrew, _bên'_ H1121):** While part of the phrase "children of Israel," the word `bên` (son/child) specifically identifies the recipients as God's covenant people, the descendants of Jacob (Israel, H3478). This highlights the particularity of the covenant and the unique familial relationship Israel had with Yahweh. These laws were given exclusively to them as a means of living out their identity as a holy nation, distinct from all others.
* **Beasts (Hebrew, _bᵉhêmâh'_ H929):** This term refers to a "dumb beast," especially any large quadruped or animal. In this verse, it acts as a broad category introduction, setting the scope for the detailed classifications that will follow in the chapter. It signifies that the ensuing regulations apply specifically to terrestrial animals, distinguishing between those that are permissible for consumption and those that are not, thereby establishing a divine taxonomy for food.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Speak unto the children of Israel, saying,"**: This opening clause establishes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the ensuing commands. It indicates that the instruction is a direct revelation from God, conveyed through Moses, to His covenant people, the Israelites. This highlights the personal, binding, and non-negotiable nature of the law, emphasizing that these are not suggestions but divine decrees for a specific people.
* **"These [are] the beasts which ye shall eat"**: This phrase immediately identifies the subject matter as dietary regulations concerning land animals. It signifies that God Himself is providing a selective list of permissible foods, implying that not all animals are suitable for consumption according to His divine standard. This sets up a system of divine permission and prohibition, where God unilaterally defines what is "clean" and acceptable for His people.
* **"among all the beasts that [are] on the earth."**: This concluding phrase defines the comprehensive scope of the regulations. It indicates that the divine selection applies to the entire range of terrestrial animals found globally, from which a specific subset is deemed "clean" and thus permissible for the Israelites to eat. This reinforces the idea of a divinely imposed distinction and restriction, underscoring God's meticulous involvement in every detail of His people's lives.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 11:2 employs several literary devices to convey its message and establish its authoritative foundation. Foremost is **Direct Address**, as God directly commands Moses to "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying," emphasizing the divine origin and authoritative nature of the dietary laws. This personal address underscores the intimate and covenantal relationship between God and His people, highlighting that these are not abstract rules but personal instructions from their divine King. The verse also utilizes **Categorization/Classification**, immediately introducing the concept of distinguishing between various "beasts" for consumption. This sets the stage for the detailed taxonomic lists that follow in the chapter, establishing a divinely ordained framework for understanding clean and unclean. Furthermore, the phrasing acts as a form of **Legal Preamble**, serving as an introductory statement to a comprehensive legal code. It announces the subject of the law ("the beasts which ye shall eat") and the specific recipients ("the children of Israel"), thereby establishing the parameters and the binding nature of the regulations that are about to be detailed in the subsequent verses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 11:2, as the gateway to the intricate dietary laws, profoundly connects to the overarching theological themes of holiness, obedience, and divine sovereignty that permeate the Old Covenant. God's meticulous instructions regarding what His people could and could not eat were not arbitrary cultural markers but served as a tangible, daily reminder of their call to be a holy nation, set apart for Him. This distinction in diet was a visible, pervasive marker of their covenant identity, reinforcing the principle that God's people are to reflect His character in all aspects of their lives, from the sacred rituals of the Tabernacle to the seemingly mundane act of eating. It underscored that holiness was not confined to specific times or places but permeated even the most ordinary activities, demonstrating God's total claim over His people. The act of adhering to these intricate rules was a direct act of obedience, cultivating a posture of submission to God's revealed will and acknowledging His absolute right to define what is pure, permissible, and ultimately, good for His creation. This call to holiness is echoed throughout Scripture, from the explicit command in [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy") to the New Testament exhortation in [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15-16 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Call to Holiness in All Conduct"), demonstrating a consistent divine expectation for His people to be distinct.

* [Leviticus 20:26](/leviticus/20-26 "Leviticus 20:26 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [Deuteronomy 14:2-3](/deuteronomy/14-2-3 "Deuteronomy 14:2-3 - Israel, a Holy People")
* [Isaiah 52:11](/isaiah/52-11 "Isaiah 52:11 - Depart, Be Clean")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific dietary laws of the Old Covenant are not binding on New Testament believers, the profound underlying principles introduced in Leviticus 11:2 remain deeply relevant for contemporary Christian living. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God is intimately concerned with every detail of our lives, not merely our spiritual experiences within the confines of worship. The call to holiness and separation from the defiling values and practices of the world, though expressed through a new covenant, is still central to our identity as followers of Christ. Just as Israel was called to be distinct in what they consumed physically, we are called to be distinct in what we "consume" spiritually, morally, and intellectually—guarding our minds, bodies, and spirits from defilement. This includes discerning the influences we allow into our lives, the media we engage with, the relationships we cultivate, and the ethical choices we make. Our lives, in their entirety, are to be a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")), reflecting His character and honoring Him in all things, demonstrating that our identity in Christ permeates every sphere of our existence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's detailed instruction in Leviticus 11:2 challenge my understanding of His sovereignty over all aspects of life, even the seemingly mundane?**
* **In what ways am I called to be "set apart" for God in my contemporary context, even if not through specific dietary rules?**
* **What "unclean" influences or habits in my life might God be calling me to distinguish myself from, in order to live a life of greater holiness and obedience?**

### FAQ
**Were these dietary laws primarily for health reasons?**

Answer: While some of the dietary regulations in Leviticus 11 may have had incidental health benefits, their primary purpose was profoundly theological and spiritual. The distinction between "clean" and "unclean" animals was fundamentally about ritual purity, the cultivation of holiness, and the establishment of Israel's unique identity as God's covenant people. These laws served to teach Israel about God's absolute holiness, their unique status as His chosen nation, and the importance of unwavering obedience to His commands. They were a tangible way for Israel to live out their call to be set apart from the surrounding pagan nations, whose practices often involved consuming animals that were considered unclean by God's standards, thereby reinforcing their distinctiveness and preventing assimilation.

**Are Christians required to follow these Old Testament dietary laws today?**

Answer: No, Christians are not required to follow the specific dietary laws of the Old Testament. The New Testament clearly indicates a fulfillment and transformation of these laws in Christ. [Jesus declared all foods clean](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean"), signifying a shift from external ritual purity to internal heart purity. This was further affirmed by [Peter's vision in Acts 10](/acts/10-15 "Acts 10:15 - Peter's Vision and Clean Foods"), where God explicitly stated that what He has made clean should not be called unclean. The Apostle Paul also taught that believers are not bound by dietary regulations, emphasizing that "the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God is Righteousness, Peace, and Joy")). The focus for New Covenant believers is on moral and spiritual holiness, freedom in Christ, and love for one another, rather than adherence to Old Covenant dietary codes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 11:2, with its declaration of clean and unclean animals, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus. The Old Testament dietary laws, like other aspects of the Mosaic Law, served as a "tutor" or "guardian" ([Galatians 3:24](/galatians/3-24 "Galatians 3:24 - The Law as a Guardian")) to highlight humanity's inherent uncleanness and the pervasive need for divine distinction and purification. These regulations, which meticulously separated Jew from Gentile and ritually clean from unclean, ultimately pointed to the ultimate cleansing and reconciliation offered by Christ. Jesus, as the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfilled the requirements of holiness and, through His sacrificial death on the cross, provided the sole means for all people to be made clean, not by adherence to external dietary codes, but by faith in Him. He not only declared all foods clean ([Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean")) but, more significantly, broke down the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Breaks Down Barriers")), making them one new humanity in Himself. The distinction between clean and unclean is ultimately transcended in Christ, who purifies and makes holy all who believe, enabling them to partake in the true "Bread of Life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) and live lives of genuine spiritual holiness through His indwelling Spirit, no longer bound by shadows but by the substance found in 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.

Cross-References

Leviticus 11:11

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

Hebrews 9:10

[Which stood] only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed [on them] until the time of reformation.

Matthew 15:11

Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Daniel 1:8

¶ But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Leviticus 11:9

¶ These shall ye eat of all that [are] in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat.

Leviticus 11:29

These also [shall be] unclean unto you among the creeping things that creep upon the earth; the weasel, and the mouse, and the tortoise after his kind,

Leviticus 11:4

Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: [as] the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he [is] unclean unto you.