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Commentary on Leviticus 11 verses 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 But the law being repealed, and the learning in a great measure lost, it is sufficient for us to observe that of the fowls here forbidden, (1.)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.
The all-wise Educator, by the lips of Moses, compared association with corrupt men to living with swine when he forbade the ancient people to partake of swine. He made it plain in those words that they who invoke God should not seek the company of the unclean who, like swine, revel in bodily pleasures and filthy habits of life and impure delights, itching for evil-minded pleasures of sex.
He adds too that they are not to eat “kite or mastophage or eagle,” meaning “You shall not go near those who make their livelihood by plundering others.” He says other similar things under some sort of allegory.
It is then proper that the barbarian philosophy, on which it is our business to speak, should prophesy also obscurely and by symbols, as was evinced. Such are the injunctions of Moses: “These common things, the sow, the hawk, the eagle and the raven, are not to be eaten.” For the sow is the emblem of voluptuous and unclean lust of food and lecherous and filthy licentiousness in venery, always prurient, and material, and lying in the mire and fattening for slaughter and destruction.
Fish with rough scales are considered clean, just as persons with austere, rough, unpolished, steadfast and grave traits are commended. Fish without scales are considered unclean, just as loose, fickle, insincere and effeminate traits are censured. What does the law mean when it states, “You shall not eat the camel”? From the example of an animal, it censures an unruly life and one distorted by unpleasantness. What does the law mean when it forbids one to partake of the flesh of swine? It condemns, you can be sure, a foul and filthy life—one that delights in sordid vices by placing its supreme good not in nobility of spirit but in the flesh alone. What does the law want to indicate when it forbids the hare? It denounces nervous, effeminate men. Who would use as food the flesh of the weasel? In it the law condemns theft.Who would dare partake of the skink? The law abhors a capricious and fickle life. Who would eat the newt? The law detests aberrations of the mind. Who would dare partake of the hawk, the kite or the eagle? The law hates marauders and those who live by violence. Who does not loathe the vulture? The law execrates those who look for booty in someone else’s death. Who would eat the crow? The law detests immoral and shady intentions. When the law prohibits ostrich, it disapproves of intemperance. When it condemns the nightjar, it hates those who shun the light of truth. When it bans the swan, it loathes stiff-necked pride. When it excludes the heron, it dislikes a garrulous and undisciplined tongue. When it detests the bat, it condemns those who seek out the darkness of error that is like night. The law execrates these and similar characteristics in animals. Since the animals, however, are born with such characteristics, they are without reproach. Conversely such qualities are reprehensible in humanity, which was not created with them but learns from them by comparison with contrary nature, through the exercise of their own error.
Believing people are forbidden to use fish without its fins for food. Fish with fins and scales even leap up above the water. What do the fish with fins represent if not chosen souls? They alone pass over into the body of the heavenly church.
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SUMMARY
Leviticus 11:9 establishes a foundational dietary law for the Israelite nation concerning aquatic life, specifying that only creatures possessing both fins and scales were permissible for consumption. This divine directive, part of a broader set of clean and unclean distinctions, served not merely as a hygienic guideline but primarily as a theological demarcation, reinforcing Israel's unique identity as a holy people set apart by God within their covenant relationship.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Leviticus 11:9 is situated within a comprehensive chapter dedicated to the dietary laws given by God to Moses and Aaron for the Israelites. The chapter begins with a general declaration of clean and unclean animals in Leviticus 11:1-2, then details land animals in Leviticus 11:3-8 before focusing on aquatic creatures in verses 9-12. Following this, the text addresses birds in Leviticus 11:13-19, winged insects in Leviticus 11:20-23, and laws concerning contact with carcasses in Leviticus 11:24-40. The chapter concludes with a powerful reiteration of God's call to holiness, directly linking adherence to these laws with the Israelites' consecrated status as God's people, as seen in Leviticus 11:44-47. This verse, therefore, is a specific application of the broader principle of separation and holiness that permeates the entire book of Leviticus.
Historical & Cultural Context: The dietary laws in Leviticus were given to Israel shortly after their exodus from Egypt and during their wilderness wanderings, as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. This period was crucial for establishing their national and religious identity. Surrounding nations often engaged in pagan worship that included consuming animals considered unclean by Yahweh's standards, sometimes even in ritualistic meals. By mandating specific dietary restrictions, God provided a tangible, daily reminder of Israel's unique covenant relationship with Him and their distinctiveness from the idolatrous practices of their neighbors. These laws were not merely arbitrary rules but served to instill discipline, promote a sense of purity, and constantly remind the people of their call to be a "holy nation" and a "kingdom of priests," as articulated in Exodus 19:6. The distinction between clean and unclean was fundamental to the Israelite worldview, extending beyond food to encompass all aspects of life, symbolizing order, life, and separation unto God.
Key Themes: Leviticus 11:9 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of Holiness, emphasizing God's own character and His desire for His people to reflect that character in their daily lives. This verse, along with the entire chapter, underscores the theme of Separation and Distinction, setting Israel apart from the surrounding nations and their practices. The dietary laws served as a tangible manifestation of their unique covenant identity. Furthermore, the meticulous nature of these commands highlights the theme of Obedience to Divine Revelation, demonstrating that God's will extends to all areas of life, not just the cultic. Finally, these regulations also subtly touch upon the theme of Order in Creation, as the criteria for clean animals often align with creatures that appear "normal" or "complete" within their natural environment, reinforcing God's design. This aligns with the broader message of Leviticus that God's people are to live in an ordered, pure manner, reflecting His own perfect order.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Leviticus 11:9 employs several literary devices to convey its divine instruction with clarity and authority. Primarily, it uses Legal Formulation, characteristic of the Mosaic Law, presenting a clear, concise, and unambiguous directive regarding permissible food. The language is prescriptive, using imperative verbs and definitive statements ("shall ye eat," "whatsoever hath"), leaving no room for doubt about the divine command. There is also an element of Repetition, particularly with the phrase "in the waters," which appears multiple times within this short verse and the broader context of Leviticus 11, emphasizing the universal application of the rule to all aquatic environments. Furthermore, the selection of fins and scales as criteria can be seen as Symbolism. These physical characteristics represent order, natural design, and perhaps even vitality, contrasting with creatures that might be perceived as less "complete" or "orderly" (like eels, shellfish, or bottom-feeders). The distinction reinforces the broader theological theme of God's desire for His people to embody purity and order in their lives, mirroring His own holy character and setting them apart from the chaotic or impure elements of the world.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 11:9, as part of the broader dietary laws, underscores profound theological principles. It primarily emphasizes God's holiness and His desire for His people to reflect that holiness through separation from the common and the unclean. These laws were not merely about hygiene but served as a constant, tangible reminder of Israel's unique covenant relationship with Yahweh. By adhering to these specific, divinely ordained distinctions, the Israelites were continually reminded of their identity as a set-apart nation, called to live in obedience to God's revealed will in all aspects of life, from the sacred to the mundane. This meticulous attention to detail in the law also highlights God's sovereignty and His right to define what is pure and impure, clean and unclean, for His people, thereby shaping their identity and worldview.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific dietary restrictions of the Old Covenant are generally understood by Christians to have been fulfilled and superseded in the New Covenant, the underlying principles of Leviticus 11:9 remain profoundly relevant. This verse reminds us that God is a God of order, who cares about the details of our lives, and desires our wholehearted obedience. For believers today, the call to holiness is no less stringent, though its expression has shifted from external dietary codes to internal transformation and ethical living. We are called to be set apart, not by what we eat, but by our devotion to Christ, our pursuit of righteousness, and our love for others. Our lives should reflect God's character, distinguishing us from the patterns of the world. This means discerning what is spiritually nourishing versus what is "unclean" or detrimental to our walk with God, whether it be in our choices of entertainment, relationships, or values. It calls us to intentional living, where every decision, even seemingly minor ones, can become an act of worship and a testament to our consecrated status as God's redeemed people.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did God specify "fins and scales" as the criteria for clean fish?
Answer: The criteria of "fins and scales" for aquatic creatures likely served multiple purposes. From a practical standpoint, fish with fins and scales are generally active swimmers and are less likely to be bottom-dwellers or scavengers, which might carry more disease or be considered less "pure." Theologically, these characteristics represented a natural, ordered, and complete form of aquatic life. Creatures lacking these features (like eels, shellfish, or crustaceans) often dwell in the murky depths or are scavengers, which may have been symbolically associated with disorder, impurity, or death. The distinction reinforced the broader theme of holiness and separation, guiding Israel to consume creatures that were perceived as "clean" and "orderly" within God's creation, thus reflecting God's own character of order and purity. This also served as a daily, tangible reminder of their covenant identity and their distinctiveness from other nations, as seen in the broader context of Leviticus 11.
Are these Old Testament dietary laws still binding for Christians today?
Answer: No, the specific dietary laws of the Old Covenant, including those in Leviticus 11:9, are generally not considered binding for Christians today. The New Testament teaches that these ceremonial laws were fulfilled in Christ and superseded by the New Covenant. Jesus declared all foods clean in Mark 7:19, and Peter's vision in Acts 10:9-16 explicitly revealed that God no longer distinguishes between clean and unclean foods. The Apostle Paul further clarified that the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking in Romans 14:17 and warned against those who would judge believers based on food and drink regulations in Colossians 2:16-17. While the specific rules are no longer in effect, the underlying principles of holiness, obedience, and living a life set apart for God remain eternally relevant for believers, now expressed through faith in Christ and ethical living.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 11:9, with its meticulous dietary distinctions, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant laws, including those concerning clean and unclean foods, served as a "shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities," as articulated in Hebrews 10:1. Christ, as the perfect Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, as proclaimed in John 1:29, perfectly fulfilled the requirements of the law, becoming the ultimate "clean" offering that purifies not just the body, but the conscience and the soul through His own blood, as underscored in Hebrews 9:14. Through His atoning work, the external distinctions of clean and unclean were transcended, as He declared all foods clean in Mark 7:19 and broke down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile, creating one new humanity in Himself, as beautifully described in Ephesians 2:14. The focus shifted from outward adherence to ritual purity to an inward transformation of the heart, where true holiness is found in righteous living, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, which is the essence of the kingdom of God, as taught in Romans 14:17. Thus, Christ is the embodiment of ultimate purity, and through Him, believers are made truly clean, set apart for God not by what they consume, but by their union with Him and the indwelling of His Spirit.