Leviticus 11:6

KJV

And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he [is] unclean unto you.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the hare {H768}, because he cheweth {H5927} the cud {H1625}, but divideth {H6536} not the hoof {H6541}; he is unclean {H2931} unto you.

Berean Standard Bible

The rabbit, though it chews the cud, does not have a divided hoof; it is unclean for you.

American Standard Version

And the hare, because she cheweth the cud but parteth not the hoof, she is unclean unto you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 11:6 is an integral part of God's dietary laws given to ancient Israel, specifically declaring the hare (rabbit) as an unclean animal. This prohibition is based on two criteria: while the hare appears to "chew the cud" (a behavior similar to rumination, though biologically distinct), it fails the second criterion of "dividing the hoof." These distinctions were not arbitrary but served to establish Israel's unique identity, promote ritual purity, and cultivate a disciplined obedience to God's covenant commands, setting them apart as a holy nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 11:6 is situated within a comprehensive chapter detailing the dietary regulations for the Israelite nation, following the general introduction to the clean and unclean animals in [Leviticus 11:1-2](/leviticus/11-1 "Leviticus 11:1-2 - Introduction to Dietary Laws"). The preceding verses establish the primary criteria for clean land animals: those that both "chew the cud" and have "cloven hooves" ([Leviticus 11:3](/leviticus/11-3 "Leviticus 11:3 - Criteria for Clean Land Animals")). Verses 4-7 then list specific exceptions that possess one characteristic but not the other, rendering them unclean. The camel, coney (hyrax), and hare are listed as animals that chew the cud but do not have divided hooves, while the swine (pig) is listed as having a divided hoof but not chewing the cud. This verse, therefore, functions as a specific application of the general principles, reinforcing the strict boundaries of permissible food. The chapter concludes with a summary statement emphasizing the purpose of these laws: to distinguish between the clean and the unclean, and to underscore God's holiness ([Leviticus 11:44-47](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44-47 - Call to Holiness")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The dietary laws in Leviticus, including the prohibition of the hare, were foundational to the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel. In the ancient Near East, many nations consumed a wide variety of animals, and often engaged in practices associated with idolatry and pagan worship. By instituting these specific food restrictions, God provided a tangible means for Israel to express their unique identity and separation from the surrounding cultures. These laws were not merely about hygiene or health, though they may have had incidental benefits, but primarily served a theological purpose: to teach Israel about holiness, purity, and the importance of obedience to divine revelation. The distinction between clean and unclean animals permeated daily life, constantly reminding the Israelites of their consecrated status as a people set apart for God. The act of eating, a fundamental human activity, became a regular opportunity to affirm their covenant identity and their commitment to a holy God, contrasting sharply with the practices of their neighbors who often consumed animals considered abominable by Israelite law.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hare (ארנבת, _'arnābēṯ'_):** This Hebrew term refers to the rabbit or hare, a common animal in the ancient Near East. The text's observation that it "cheweth the cud" reflects an ancient phenomenological understanding. While hares are not true ruminants (like cows or sheep), they engage in a behavior called coprophagy or re-ingestion, where they consume their own soft fecal pellets to extract additional nutrients from partially digested food. To an observer, this act of re-chewing appeared similar to rumination, leading to its inclusion in this category.
* **Cheweth the cud (מעלה גרה, _maʿăleh gērâ'_):** This phrase describes the process of rumination, characteristic of animals that digest their food in a multi-chambered stomach, regurgitating and re-chewing it. For an animal to be clean, it had to exhibit this characteristic. The inclusion of the hare here highlights the observational basis of the Mosaic Law, classifying animals based on visible behaviors and anatomical features rather than modern biological classifications.
* **Divideth not the hoof (מפרסת פרסה, _map̄rəsaṯ parsâ'_):** This phrase refers to the absence of a cloven or split hoof, which was the second essential criterion for clean land animals. Animals like cattle, sheep, and goats possess this feature. The hare, having a paw rather than a hoof, clearly fails this criterion. The combination of these two characteristics (chewing the cud and having a cloven hoof) was the divine standard for determining ritual cleanness for land animals.
* **Unclean (טמא, _ṭāmēʾ'_):** This term signifies ritual impurity, rendering an animal unfit for consumption by the Israelites. It does not necessarily imply that the animal was inherently "dirty" or "bad" in a moral sense, but rather that it was outside the boundaries of what was permissible for a holy people in their covenant relationship with God. Contact with or consumption of such an animal would ritually defile an Israelite, requiring purification.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the hare, because he cheweth the cud,"**: This clause identifies the specific animal in question, the hare, and notes its observable behavior of re-ingesting food, which appeared to the ancient Israelites as "chewing the cud." This characteristic alone, however, was insufficient for cleanness.
* **"but divideth not the hoof;"**: This crucial second clause states the disqualifying factor. Despite the first characteristic, the hare lacks the cloven or split hoof, which was a non-negotiable requirement for clean land animals under the Mosaic Law. This anatomical detail definitively places it in the category of unclean animals.
* **"he [is] unclean unto you."**: This final declaration pronounces the divine verdict. Based on the established criteria, the hare is explicitly designated as ritually impure and forbidden for consumption by the Israelites. This command underscores God's authority in defining purity and impurity for His people.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 11:6 employs several literary devices to convey its message effectively. The primary device is **Categorization**, as the verse systematically places the hare into the "unclean" category based on a set of defined criteria. This categorization is part of a larger **Legal Formula** that structures the entire chapter, consistently applying the "chew the cud and cloven hoof" rule. The verse also utilizes **Contrast**, highlighting the hare's possession of one characteristic (appearing to chew the cud) in direct opposition to its lack of the other (not dividing the hoof), thereby justifying its unclean status. Furthermore, there is an element of **Precision** in the detailed description of the animal's characteristics, demonstrating the meticulous nature of God's law and the importance of adherence to specific divine requirements.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The dietary laws, exemplified by the prohibition of the hare, were not arbitrary but deeply theological. They served as a tangible expression of Israel's covenant relationship with God, emphasizing the themes of holiness, separation, and obedience. By adhering to these unique regulations, Israel visibly demonstrated their identity as a people set apart for Yahweh, distinct from the pagan nations around them. This distinction reinforced the concept that God's people were to reflect His character in all aspects of their lives, including their daily consumption. The laws cultivated discipline, discernment, and a constant awareness of God's presence and commands, teaching them that true holiness extends even to seemingly mundane activities.

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

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific dietary laws of the Old Covenant are generally understood by Christians to have been fulfilled or superseded in Christ, the underlying principles of holiness, discernment, and obedience remain profoundly relevant. For believers today, the emphasis shifts from ritual dietary purity to spiritual purity and moral separation from the world's ungodly practices. We are called to be holy because God is holy, applying discernment not merely to what we eat, but to what we consume spiritually, mentally, and physically—our entertainment, our relationships, our thoughts, and our actions. The meticulous nature of the Old Testament laws serves as a powerful reminder that God cares about every detail of our lives and calls us to live with intentionality and discipline, honoring Him in all things. Our lives should visibly reflect our identity as God's redeemed people, set apart for His purposes in a world that often operates contrary to His will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "unclean" in Leviticus inform our understanding of holiness and separation today?**
* **In what areas of my life (beyond food) am I called to exercise discernment and discipline to honor God?**
* **How does my daily conduct reflect my identity as a person set apart for God's purposes?**

### FAQ

**Why was the hare considered unclean if it "chewed the cud"?**

Answer: The Mosaic Law had two specific criteria for land animals to be considered clean for consumption: they must both "chew the cud" (be ruminants) and "divide the hoof" (have cloven hooves). While the hare exhibits a behavior (coprophagy) that appears similar to chewing the cud, it fails the second crucial criterion of having a cloven hoof. Because it did not meet *both* requirements, it was classified as unclean. This highlights the precise and non-negotiable nature of God's commands in defining ritual purity for Israel, as outlined in [Leviticus 11:3](/leviticus/11-3 "Leviticus 11:3 - Criteria for Clean Animals").

**Are these Old Testament dietary laws still binding for Christians today?**

Answer: No, the specific dietary laws of the Old Testament, including the prohibition of the hare, are generally understood by Christians to have been fulfilled and superseded by the New Covenant in Christ. Jesus Himself declared all foods clean in [Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean"), and the Apostle Peter's vision in [Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9 "Acts 10:9-16 - Peter's Vision of the Sheet") explicitly taught that God has made nothing unclean that He has cleansed. The New Testament emphasizes that what defiles a person comes from within, not from external food regulations ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God is Not Food and Drink")). While the ceremonial laws are no longer binding, the underlying principles of holiness, discernment, and obedience to God's moral will remain.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dietary laws of the Old Covenant, including the prohibition of the hare in [Leviticus 11:6](/leviticus/11-6 "Leviticus 11:6 - The Unclean Hare"), find their ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. These laws served as a "shadow" pointing to a greater spiritual reality, a pedagogical tool to teach Israel about holiness and separation, much like a tutor guiding a child ([Galatians 3:24](/galatians/3-24 "Galatians 3:24 - The Law as a Guardian")). With the advent of Christ, the need for ritual distinctions based on food was abolished, as He Himself declared all foods clean ([Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean")) and the Holy Spirit revealed to Peter that God no longer considers anything impure that He has made clean ([Acts 10:15](/acts/10-15 "Acts 10:15 - Peter's Vision and Clean Food")). Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, fulfills the entire system of Old Testament purity laws by providing the ultimate sacrifice that cleanses us not merely outwardly, but from within, making us truly holy before God ([Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience")). Through His atoning work, the barrier between Jew and Gentile was broken down, and the focus shifted from external regulations to an internal transformation of the heart, empowering believers to live lives of spiritual purity and moral righteousness, no longer defined by what they eat, but by their union with the Holy One ([1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy in All Your Conduct")).

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

Deuteronomy 14:7

Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; [as] the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; [therefore] they [are] unclean unto you.