Leviticus 11:27

KJV

And whatsoever goeth upon his paws, among all manner of beasts that go on [all] four, those [are] unclean unto you: whoso toucheth their carcase shall be unclean until the even.

KJV (with Strong's)

And whatsoever {H3605}{H1992} goeth {H1980} upon his paws {H3709}, among all manner of beasts {H2416} that go {H1980} on all four {H702}, those are unclean {H2931} unto you: whoso toucheth {H5060} their carcase {H5038} shall be unclean {H2930} until the even {H6153}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Whatever goes on its paws, among all animals that go on all fours, is unclean for you; whoever touches its carcass will be unclean until evening;

Berean Standard Bible

All the four-footed animals that walk on their paws are unclean for you; whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean until evening,

American Standard Version

And whatsoever goeth upon its paws, among all beasts that go on all fours, they are unclean unto you: whoso toucheth their carcass shall be unclean until the even.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 11:27 establishes a specific category of animals deemed ritually unclean for the Israelites: all four-footed creatures that move upon their paws. This divine decree, part of a comprehensive set of dietary and purity laws in Leviticus 11, stipulated that such animals were forbidden for consumption. Furthermore, it declared that any individual who came into contact with the carcass of these animals would incur ritual impurity, a state requiring purification until the evening to restore their fitness for communal worship and sacred activities. This regulation underscored God's call for Israel to maintain a distinct and holy identity, set apart from the surrounding nations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 11 is a foundational chapter within the book of Leviticus, which meticulously outlines the laws governing Israel's worship, priesthood, and the maintenance of ritual purity. This chapter specifically details the comprehensive dietary regulations, often referred to as kashrut laws, distinguishing between animals permissible for consumption ("clean") and those forbidden ("unclean"). Leviticus 11:27 follows earlier prohibitions concerning animals that do not chew the cud or have divided hooves, such as those mentioned in [Leviticus 11:4-8](/leviticus/11-4-8 "Leviticus 11:4-8 - Prohibited Animals"). It precedes regulations regarding swarming creatures and insects, as seen in [Leviticus 11:29-30](/leviticus/11-29-30 "Leviticus 11:29-30 - Unclean Swarming Creatures"). The pervasive emphasis on "unclean" throughout the chapter highlights the meticulous care required to maintain holiness within the covenant community, underscoring that defilement could arise from various sources, not just moral transgression.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** These laws were given to Israel after their Exodus from Egypt, as they journeyed through the wilderness and prepared to enter the Promised Land. God provided these detailed statutes to shape Israel's identity as His chosen people, distinct from the pagan nations around them who engaged in various idolatrous practices, including the consumption of animals considered abominable by Yahweh. While these regulations may have offered practical benefits related to hygiene or health, their primary purpose was profoundly theological. They served as constant, tangible reminders of Israel's unique covenant relationship with a holy God, teaching them about separation, purity, and the pervasive nature of sin and death. Contact with death, symbolized by touching a carcass, consistently imparted ritual impurity in the Old Testament, underscoring the separation that death brings from the life-giving God, as further detailed in passages like [Numbers 19:11-13](/numbers/19-11-13 "Numbers 19:11-13 - Uncleanness from a Dead Body").
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 11:27 contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **Holiness and Separation**. God, being perfectly holy, required His people to reflect His character by being "set apart" from the defiling influences of the world. The dietary laws provided a tangible, daily means of practicing this separation. Another crucial theme is **Purity and Impurity**, which is not necessarily about moral sin but a ritual state that affected one's ability to approach God in worship. The laws distinguished between the clean and the unclean, demonstrating the pervasive nature of impurity in a fallen world and the necessity of divine provision for cleansing. Finally, the verse touches upon the theme of **Life and Death**, where death, symbolized by the carcass, is inherently defiling because it stands in opposition to God, who is the source of all life. This distinction reinforced the sanctity of life and the consequences of sin, which ultimately leads to death.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **goeth (Hebrew, _hâlak'_):** This primitive root signifies "to walk" or "to go" in a wide variety of applications, both literal and figurative. In Leviticus 11:27, it describes the locomotion of the animals, specifically how they "go upon" their paws, emphasizing their characteristic movement.
* **paws (Hebrew, _kaph'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to bend" or "to curve," _kaph_ refers to the hollow hand or palm. By extension, it denotes the paw of an animal, the sole of a foot, or even the bowl of a dish. Here, it precisely identifies animals whose feet are soft pads rather than hooves, distinguishing them from other four-footed creatures.
* **unclean (Hebrew, _ṭâmêʼ'_):** This term, a central concept in Leviticus, describes a state of ritual impurity. It signifies being "foul" or "contaminated" in a ceremonial sense, rendering an individual or object unfit for sacred activities or direct communion with God until purification rituals are performed. It represents a temporary separation from the holy sphere, distinct from moral sin.
* **carcase (Hebrew, _nᵉbêlâh'_):** This word specifically denotes a "flabby thing," referring to the dead body of an animal, particularly one that has died naturally or was torn (carrion), as opposed to an animal slaughtered for food or sacrifice. The prohibition against touching such a carcass underscores the pervasive nature of ritual defilement associated with death, which is the antithesis of God's life-giving holiness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And whatsoever goeth upon his paws":** This initial clause precisely identifies the first characteristic of the animals in question, focusing on their mode of locomotion and foot structure. It refers to animals that walk on the soft pads of their feet, distinguishing them from those with cloven hooves (like cattle or sheep) or solid hooves (like horses), thereby narrowing the category of prohibited four-footed creatures.
* **"among all manner of beasts that go on [all] four":** This phrase further clarifies the scope, specifying that the prohibition applies to terrestrial, four-footed mammals. It ensures that the category is limited to land animals, excluding birds, fish, or insects, which are addressed elsewhere in the chapter with their own distinct purity regulations.
* **"those [are] unclean unto you":** This declarative statement establishes their ritual status. These animals are forbidden for consumption and are inherently defiling to the Israelite community, marking them as distinct from the "clean" animals permissible for food and sacrifice. This declaration emphasizes God's sovereign authority to define purity and impurity for His covenant people.
* **"whoso toucheth their carcase shall be unclean until the even":** This final clause outlines the consequence of contact with a dead animal from this specific category. Touching the carcass imparts ritual impurity, a state that lasts until sunset. This required the individual to undergo a purification process, typically involving washing and waiting, before they could re-enter the full communal and sacred life of Israel, highlighting the pervasive nature of defilement associated with death.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 11:27, like much of the Mosaic Law, employs **Categorization** and **Prescriptive Language**. The chapter meticulously categorizes animals based on observable physical characteristics (e.g., paws, hooves, cud-chewing) and behaviors (e.g., swarming, flying, swimming) to delineate what is clean and unclean. This precise categorization reflects a divine order and the Israelites' need for clear, unambiguous instructions for maintaining purity. The language used is direct, authoritative, and imperative, characteristic of legal codes, leaving no room for ambiguity regarding the status of these animals or the consequences of contact. Furthermore, there is profound **Symbolism** at play. The distinction between clean and unclean animals, and the defilement associated with death, served as a tangible, daily reminder of the pervasive nature of sin and the constant need for purification to approach a holy God. Death, being the ultimate consequence of sin, consistently imparted uncleanness, symbolizing separation from God's life-giving presence and underscoring the gravity of defilement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 11:27, embedded within the broader context of the Mosaic Law, powerfully underscores the themes of divine holiness and the pervasive nature of ritual purity. God's meticulous instructions regarding clean and unclean animals were not arbitrary but served as a constant, tangible reminder to Israel of their unique covenant relationship with a holy God. These laws distinguished Israel from the surrounding pagan nations, whose practices often blurred the lines between the sacred and the profane. By adhering to these regulations, Israel visibly demonstrated their obedience and their commitment to being a people "set apart" for Yahweh, reflecting His own perfect character. The concept of uncleanness, especially from contact with death, highlighted the reality of a fallen world and the inherent defilement that separates humanity from God's perfect purity, necessitating divine provision for cleansing and emphasizing the sanctity of life.

* [Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44-45 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [Deuteronomy 14:3-8](/deuteronomy/14-3-8 "Deuteronomy 14:3-8 - Clean and Unclean Animals")
* [Ezekiel 44:23](/ezekiel/44-23 "Ezekiel 44:23 - Distinguishing Between Holy and Common")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Christians are no longer bound by the specific dietary laws of the Old Testament, the underlying spiritual principles of Leviticus 11:27 remain profoundly relevant for our lives today. This verse reminds us of God's absolute authority to define what is holy and what is defiling, and His unwavering desire for His people to live lives of purity and distinction. For ancient Israel, external regulations concerning food and ritual contact served as a constant pedagogical tool, teaching them about the pervasive nature of impurity and the necessity of cleansing before approaching a holy God. For us today, the focus shifts from external ritual purity to internal spiritual purity. We are called to be set apart, not by what we eat, but by our transformed hearts and lives, reflecting God's holiness in a fallen world. The "uncleanness" we must guard against is no longer a dietary violation but the defilement of sin, evil thoughts, unholy desires, and unrighteous actions that separate us from God and hinder our witness. Our cleansing comes not from ritual washing, but from the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and the atoning blood of Christ, enabling us to live as a holy people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "unclean" in Leviticus 11:27 help us understand the pervasive nature and defiling power of sin in our own lives today?**
* **In what ways are Christians called to be "set apart" or "holy" in contemporary society, even without the external dietary laws of the Old Testament?**
* **What "carcasses" (i.e., defiling influences, practices, or ideologies) might we need to avoid touching or engaging with in our modern context to maintain spiritual purity and a clear conscience before God?**

### FAQ
**Why did God declare certain animals, like those with paws, unclean for Israel?**

Answer: God declared certain animals unclean for Israel primarily for theological and covenantal reasons, not solely for hygiene or health. These laws served to distinguish Israel as a holy nation, set apart for Yahweh, from the surrounding pagan cultures who consumed these animals and engaged in idolatrous practices. The distinctions between clean and unclean animals, including those that go upon their [paws](/leviticus/11-27 "Leviticus 11:27 - Unclean Pawed Animals"), were a tangible, daily reminder of Israel's unique relationship with a holy God and their call to purity. They taught the Israelites about the pervasive nature of impurity and the constant need for purification to maintain fellowship with God, symbolizing a deeper spiritual truth about sin and holiness.

**Do these dietary laws, including the prohibition in Leviticus 11:27, still apply to Christians today?**

Answer: No, these specific dietary laws, including the prohibition in [Leviticus 11:27](/leviticus/11-27 "Leviticus 11:27 - Unclean Pawed Animals"), do not apply to Christians today. The New Testament teaches that the ceremonial laws of the Old Covenant, including dietary restrictions, have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself declared all foods clean, stating that "nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them; rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them" ([Mark 7:18-19](/mark/7-18-19 "Mark 7:18-19 - What Defiles a Person")). The Apostle Peter's vision in [Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9-16 "Acts 10:9-16 - Peter's Vision of the Sheet") explicitly revealed that God has made all foods clean, symbolizing the inclusion of Gentiles into the covenant and the end of the ceremonial distinctions. For believers in Christ, the focus shifts from external ritual purity to internal spiritual purity, achieved through faith in Him and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 11:27, with its declaration of certain animals as unclean and the defilement incurred by touching their carcasses, finds its ultimate fulfillment and reinterpretation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament laws concerning ritual purity served as a shadow, pointing to the deeper reality of spiritual defilement caused by sin and the need for a perfect cleanser. While the law pronounced contact with death as defiling, Jesus, the embodiment of life and holiness, repeatedly touched the unclean—lepers ([Mark 1:40-42](/mark/1-40-42 "Mark 1:40-42 - Jesus Heals a Leper")), the dead ([Luke 7:11-15](/luke/7-11-15 "Luke 7:11-15 - Jesus Raises the Widow's Son")), and those considered outcasts—and in doing so, He did not become defiled; rather, He imparted cleansing, healing, and life. The dietary laws, including the prohibition against animals with paws, were abolished by Christ, who declared all foods clean ([Mark 7:18-19](/mark/7-18-19 "Mark 7:18-19 - What Defiles a Person")), thereby shifting the focus from external regulations to the internal state of the heart. His sacrifice on the cross became the ultimate purification, cleansing us not just until the evening, but eternally from the defilement of sin ([Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13-14 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - The Blood of Christ Cleanses")). Through faith in Him, we are made truly clean and holy, able to approach a holy God without fear of ritual impurity, for He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

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 11:20

¶ All fowls that creep, going upon [all] four, [shall be] an abomination unto you.

Leviticus 11:23

But all [other] flying creeping things, which have four feet, [shall be] an abomination unto you.