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NASB | Leviticus 11:3 'Whatever divides a hoof, thus making split hoofs, and chews the cud, among the animals, that you may eat. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Leviticus 11:3 'You may eat any animal that has a divided hoof [that is, a hoof split into two parts especially at its distal extremity] and chews the cud. |
Bible Question: is there any scientific basis for distinction between clean an unclean animals? |
Bible Answer: Greetings Windjo! "Is there any scientific basis for distinction between clean and unclean animals?" I do not believe that it is so much that the Lord prescribed these things to the Israelites out of health, but obedience would be more nearer the mark. Animals were divided into two classes, clean and unclean (Leviticus 11:1-47; Acts 10:9-15). Only clean animals- those that chewed the cud and had divided hooves- could be used for food (Lev. 11:3), except the fat (Lev. 3:16-17). Pigs and camels were ceremonially unclean and therefore unfit for food. Camel's milk and cheese, however, were not forbidden. Many kinds of fish could be eaten (Lev. 11:9-12), but not oysters or shrimp. Some twenty different species of birds, mostly scavengers, were rejected (Lev. 11:13-19). Insects that had legs and leaped, such as the grasshopper, were fit for consumption. All reptiles were considered unclean. Yes, that was how people ate in Palestine, the land of "milk and honey" (Ex. 13:5). :-) However, in the New Testament, Jesus declares all foods as "clean" (Matthew 7:18-20). Also, 1 Corinthians 10:25-26 states, "Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience' sake; FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S, AND ALL IT CONTAINS." So, therefore, how do we reconcile the New Testament with what is taught in the Old Testament? Daniel 1:8-17 is about the only passage in all of Scripture that could be used to support the belief that the Old Testament provisions were given to the Israelites in part to better their health. However, what Daniel did was not eat the food that was offered first to idols (vv. 2,5), and the Lord blessed him, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (vv. 6,7,11,15) for it. I believe that the provisions in Leviticus were given by the Lord primarily because the Lord sought Israel's obedience to Him and Him alone. And that is how we can reconcile the New Testament with the provisions given in the Old Testament.. "11:1-16:34 Prescriptions for uncleanness are covered in this section. God used the tangible issues of life which He labeled clean/unclean to repeatedly impress upon Israel the difference between what was holy and unholy. "Clean" means acceptable to God; "unclean" means unacceptable to God. Leviticus 11-15 details the code of cleanness; Lev. 16 returns to sacrifices on the Day of Atonement." (1) "11:1-47 This section contains further legislation on the consumption of animals. Abel's offering hints at a "post-Fall/pre-Flood" diet of animals (Gen. 4:4). After the Noahic flood, God specifically had granted man permission to eat meat (Gen. 9:1-4), but here spelled out the specifics as covenant legislation. All of the reasons for the prohibitions are not specified. The major points were: 1) that Israel was to obey God's absolute standard, regardless of the reason for it, or the lack of understanding of it; and 2) such a unique diet was specified that Israel would find it difficult to eat with the idolatrous people around and among them. Their dietary laws served as a barrier to easy socialization with idolatrous peoples. Dietary and hygieic benefits were real, but only secondary to the divine purposes of obedience and separation." (1) Blessings to you, Makarios (1) The MacArthur Study Bible, 1997, Word Publishing, John MacArthur, pg. 168 |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Lev 11:3 | Author | ||
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kpd777 | ||
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windjo | ||
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Makarios | ||
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windjo | ||
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windjo |