Leviticus 11:3

KJV

Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, [and] cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.

KJV (with Strong's)

Whatsoever parteth {H6536} the hoof {H6541}, and is clovenfooted {H8156}{H8157}, and cheweth {H5927} the cud {H1625}, among the beasts {H929}, that shall ye eat {H398}.

Complete Jewish Bible

any that has a separate hoof which is completely divided and chews the cud - these animals you may eat.

Berean Standard Bible

You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud.

American Standard Version

Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that may ye eat.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 11:3 is a foundational verse within the Mosaic dietary laws, delineating the specific criteria for land animals considered "clean" and thus permissible for consumption by the Israelites. This divine instruction, part of a broader chapter on dietary distinctions, establishes two essential biological characteristics—a cloven hoof and the practice of chewing the cud—that an animal must possess simultaneously to be deemed acceptable, serving as a tangible marker of Israel's unique identity and their call to holiness before God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 11 is situated within the "Holiness Code" (Leviticus 17-26), a significant portion of the book that outlines God's expectations for Israel's conduct as a holy nation set apart for Him. Following the detailed instructions for priestly consecration and sacrificial offerings (Leviticus 8-10), Chapter 11 shifts focus to the daily lives of all Israelites, particularly concerning food. This chapter, alongside others detailing laws on childbirth, skin diseases, and bodily discharges, emphasizes the pervasive nature of holiness, demonstrating that God's covenant demands purity not only in worship but also in mundane activities like eating. The dietary laws serve as a practical, daily reminder of Israel's distinct relationship with Yahweh and their separation from the surrounding pagan cultures.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, many cultures had their own dietary customs, often intertwined with their religious practices and mythological beliefs. Israel, however, was called to be distinct. The dietary laws of Leviticus 11, including the specific criteria in [Leviticus 11:3](/leviticus/11-3 "Leviticus 11:3 - Clean Animal Criteria"), served as a powerful boundary marker, reinforcing Israel's identity as God's chosen people and preventing assimilation into the idolatrous practices of their neighbors. While some scholars suggest potential health benefits, the primary purpose was theological: to teach the Israelites about holiness, purity, and the distinction between the sacred and the common. By adhering to these laws, the Israelites visually and practically demonstrated their obedience to God's sovereign authority and their commitment to living a life set apart, reflecting the holiness of God Himself, as commanded in [Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hoof (Hebrew, _parsah'_):** This term refers to the foot of an animal, specifically its hard, horny covering. The phrase "parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted" (literally "cleaves the hoof, and is a cleaver of hooves") emphasizes a complete division of the hoof into two distinct parts. This characteristic, found in ruminants like cattle, sheep, and goats, was a primary indicator of a clean animal. The thoroughness of the split was crucial, distinguishing them from animals like camels, which have a partially split foot but not a truly cloven hoof.
* **Cud (Hebrew, _gerah'_):** This word denotes the regurgitated food that certain animals (ruminants) chew a second time. Animals that "chew the cud" process their food in a multi-chambered stomach, bringing it back up to chew again for maximum digestion. This biological process, combined with the cloven hoof, formed the dual requirement for a land animal to be considered clean. The absence of either characteristic rendered the animal unclean, as seen with pigs (cloven hoof but no cud) or camels (chew cud but not truly cloven-hoofed).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted":** This clause establishes the first of two essential anatomical criteria for a land animal to be deemed clean. It specifies that the animal's hoof must be completely divided into two distinct parts, not merely indented or partially split. This physical characteristic was a visible sign of purity.
* **"[and] cheweth the cud":** This second clause introduces the physiological requirement. The animal must be a ruminant, meaning it processes its food by regurgitating and re-chewing it. This biological function, combined with the cloven hoof, forms the complete definition of a clean land animal. Both conditions must be met for the animal to be permissible.
* **"among the beasts, that shall ye eat":** This concluding phrase explicitly states the consequence of meeting both criteria: such animals are designated as permissible for consumption by the Israelites. This highlights God's clear directive and the practical application of the law, distinguishing between what is acceptable and what is forbidden for their diet.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 11:3 primarily employs **Categorization** and **Legal Language**. The verse functions as a clear, concise legal statute, defining a specific category of animals ("clean") through precise, observable biological criteria. This **Legal Language** is characteristic of the Mosaic Law, which often uses direct commands and conditional statements to establish divine ordinances. Furthermore, the dual requirements of a cloven hoof and chewing the cud can be seen as a form of **Symbolism**, where outward physical characteristics serve as tangible markers of an underlying spiritual principle of distinction and purity. The act of "chewing the cud" has often been interpreted symbolically as a metaphor for thorough meditation on God's Word, internalizing and processing divine truth deeply.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The dietary laws, exemplified by [Leviticus 11:3](/leviticus/11-3 "Leviticus 11:3 - Criteria for Clean Animals"), are deeply intertwined with the overarching biblical theme of holiness. God, as the Holy One of Israel, called His people to reflect His character by living a set-apart life, distinct from the defilement of the surrounding nations. These laws served as a constant, tangible reminder of their covenant relationship, teaching them discernment and obedience in the mundane aspects of daily life. They underscored God's absolute authority over creation and His right to define what is pure and impure, thereby shaping Israel's identity and reinforcing their separation for His divine purposes.

* [Leviticus 20:25-26](/leviticus/20-25 "Leviticus 20:25-26 - Distinction Between Clean and Unclean")
* [Deuteronomy 14:3-8](/deuteronomy/14-3 "Deuteronomy 14:3-8 - Clean and Unclean Animals")
* [Ezekiel 22:26](/ezekiel/22-26 "Ezekiel 22:26 - Priests Not Distinguishing Between Holy and Profane")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Christians are no longer bound by the Mosaic dietary laws, the underlying principles of discernment, holiness, and obedience remain profoundly relevant. Just as the Israelites were called to distinguish between clean and unclean animals, believers today are called to exercise spiritual discernment in all areas of life—in their thoughts, words, actions, and choices. This involves carefully evaluating what we consume, not just physically, but also mentally and spiritually, ensuring it aligns with God's will and promotes spiritual health. The act of "chewing the cud" can be a powerful metaphor for meditating deeply on God's Word, allowing its truths to nourish our souls and transform our lives. Living a "set-apart" life means consciously choosing to live according to God's standards rather than the world's, reflecting His holiness in our daily walk.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I need to exercise greater spiritual discernment, distinguishing between what is "clean" (God-honoring) and "unclean" (worldly or sinful)?**
* **How can I more intentionally "chew the cud" of God's Word, moving beyond superficial reading to deep meditation and application?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to live a more "set-apart" life, reflecting God's holiness to those around me?**

### FAQ
**Were these laws primarily for health or for spiritual reasons?**

Answer: While some scholars suggest that certain dietary restrictions may have offered incidental health benefits in ancient times, the primary purpose of the Mosaic dietary laws, including those in [Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Clean and Unclean Animals"), was theological and spiritual. They served to establish and reinforce Israel's unique identity as a holy nation, set apart for God. These laws taught the Israelites about purity, discernment, and obedience, acting as a constant reminder of their covenant relationship with a holy God. The distinction between clean and unclean was fundamentally about cultivating a people who understood and embodied holiness.

**Are Christians today required to follow the dietary laws of Leviticus 11?**

Answer: No, Christians are generally not bound by the Mosaic dietary laws. The New Testament teaches that these ceremonial laws were part of the Old Covenant and have been fulfilled in Christ. [Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean") records Jesus declaring all foods clean, and [Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9 "Acts 10:9-16 - Peter's Vision of Clean and Unclean Animals") describes Peter's vision where God explicitly states that what He has made clean should not be called unclean. The Apostle Paul further clarifies in [Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Shadow and Reality in Christ") that these dietary regulations were "a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ." While the specific food restrictions are no longer binding, the underlying spiritual principles of holiness, discernment, and living a life set apart for God remain timeless and applicable to believers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dietary laws of [Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Clean and Unclean Animals"), including the criteria for clean animals in [Leviticus 11:3](/leviticus/11-3 "Leviticus 11:3 - Criteria for Clean Animals"), find their ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. These laws, with their emphasis on physical distinctions between clean and unclean, served as a pedagogical shadow, pointing to a deeper spiritual reality. Christ, through His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection, abolished the ceremonial distinctions that separated Jew from Gentile and purified all things, as seen in [Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean") and [Acts 10:15](/acts/10-15 "Acts 10:15 - What God Has Made Clean"). He is the true Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, making those who believe in Him spiritually clean and holy, not by adherence to external regulations, but by His indwelling Spirit ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"); [1 Corinthians 6:11](/1_corinthians/6-11 "1 Corinthians 6:11 - Washed, Sanctified, Justified")). The call to holiness, once expressed through dietary separation, is now realized in Christ as an inward transformation that leads to a life set apart for God's glory, marked by spiritual discernment and purity of heart, rather than by what one eats or drinks ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God is Righteousness, Peace, and Joy")).

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.