Chapter 11 of Leviticus deals with the law of purification. This chapter explains to the Israelites how to distinguish between clean animals that they can eat and unclean animals that they cannot eat. This is a regulation to ensure that the Israelites live a holy life before God.
Summary of key findings
- Beasts on the earth :
- Clean animal : An animal that has split hooves, has cloven feet, and chews the cud. For example cows, sheep, goats, etc.
- Unclean animal : An animal that does not chew its cud or have split hooves. For example, camels, savannas, and rabbits chew their cud, but their hooves are not cloven, so they are unclean. Pigs have split hooves but do not chew their cud, making them unclean.
- Creatures in the water :
- Clean creature : A fish with fins and scales.
- Unclean creatures : Fish and aquatic creatures without fins and scales. For example, catfish, eels, crustaceans, molluscs, etc.
- Birds :
- Unclean Birds : No specific criteria are given, but most of the unclean birds listed here are carnivorous birds that tear up prey or eat carcasses. For example, eagles, kites, falcons, crows, ostriches, owls, seagulls, storks, etc.
- Clean Bird : Any bird not included in the list of unclean birds.
- Insects :
- Clean insects : Insects that crawl on all fours and have jumping legs, such as grasshoppers, crickets, grasshoppers, etc.
- Unclean insect : An insect that flies and crawls on all fours. For example, flies, mosquitoes, bugs, etc.
- Other animals :
- Things that creep on the ground : Most are unclean. For example, weasels, rats, lizards, crocodiles, moles, etc.
- Rules regarding corpses : If you touch the corpse of an unclean animal, you become unclean, you must wash your clothes, and you remain unclean until evening.
Significance and Purpose
Chapter 11 of Leviticus explains the specific standards of life provided by God to distinguish the Israelites from other nations. These regulations are not simply for hygienic reasons, but also include the intention to live a holy life before God.
Principle of Holiness
The end of Leviticus 11 emphasizes the principle of holiness.
- Leviticus 11:44-45 : “I am the LORD your God. Do not defile yourselves. You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
- This verse tells the Israelites to maintain holiness before God and maintain their identity as God's holy people by observing the law of purity.
modern application
In today's Christian faith, these specific dietary regulations are seen as a part of the law, and are understood to be a shadow of the law that was completed through Jesus Christ. The New Testament shows that the binding force of the purification law was lifted through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles (Mark 7:18-19, Acts 10:9-16).
conclusion
Chapter 11 of Leviticus deals with purification laws to ensure that the Israelites live holy lives before God. It shows their relationship with God through specific regulations to be applied to their daily lives and emphasizes the importance of living a holy life. These regulations are newly interpreted through Jesus Christ in today's Christian faith, and the principle of maintaining holiness before God still remains an important lesson.