Leviticus 11:43-44
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This verse emphasizes that these restrictions aren't just about physical cleanliness, but about becoming "abominable" to God. It’s a call to a deeper holiness, where even what you consume and touch reflects your separation for God, setting you apart from the practices of surrounding nations.
You shall not make yourselves detestable with any swarming thing that swarms, and you shall not defile yourselves with them, and become unclean through them. For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage appears at the end of a detailed list of clean and unclean animals, including insects, fish, and birds. God has just finished explaining the distinctions, emphasizing that these rules are meant to help Israel be a holy people set apart from the nations. The verses immediately following will reiterate the call to holiness based on God's own nature.
The rules about clean and unclean animals weren't just about what Israel could eat. They were a profound lesson in holiness.
God’s commands in Leviticus about which creatures Israel could and couldn't eat, and even touch, went beyond simple dietary guidelines. The primary purpose was to teach them holiness and separation.
What does it really mean to become 'unclean' according to Leviticus? It's a concept that impacted daily life and worship.
In Leviticus, 'uncleanness' is a specific ritual state that prevents a person from participating in communal worship or approaching God. It's not the same as moral sin, though sin certainly causes defilement.
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Understand the original words
tama' · Hebrew Verb
To pollute, stain, or make ceremonially impure. It involves an action that renders a person unfit to enter the presence of God or participate in communal worship.
tame' · Hebrew Adjective
Being in a state of ritual impurity. It describes a condition of separation from the holy sphere, preventing the person from approaching the sanctuary or holy things until proper purification occurs.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenantal name of God, revealing His self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness to His people. It is the name through which God enters into a personal, redemptive relationship with Israel.
qadash · Hebrew Verb
To set apart, dedicate, or sanctify for a specific divine purpose. It involves separating oneself from common or profane use to belong exclusively to God.
qadosh · Hebrew Adjective
A state of being set apart for God's purposes, characterized by moral purity and separation from sin. It reflects the essential nature of God, who is completely distinct from and superior to His creation in character and majesty.
Paul echoes this by stating 'I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself.' This highlights the shift from ceremonial laws to the heart's intention in the New Covenant.
1 Corinthians 10:31This passage broadens the concept of holiness beyond dietary laws, urging believers to 'do all to the glory of God,' which includes how we approach our daily lives and choices.
Acts 10:15Peter's vision of unclean animals declared 'clean' by God signifies the breaking down of these ceremonial distinctions for believers, showing God's inclusive purposes.
Colossians 2:16-17Paul explains that these kinds of laws were 'a shadow of things to come,' pointing to Christ, and that believers should not be judged by such regulations now that the reality has come.
1 Peter 1:15-16This verse directly connects the call to holiness with God's own holiness, echoing Leviticus' underlying theme that separation from the unclean is meant to reflect God's pure nature.
pooleLeviticus 11:43: "Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby."
No text from Poole on this verse.
calvinLeviticus 11:1-47: "And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them,"
And upon whatsoever any of them, when they are dead, doth fall, it shall be unclean; whether it be any vessel of wood, or raiment, or skin, or sack, whatsoever vessel it be, wherein any work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the even; so it shall be cleansed.
Et omne super quod tetigerit aliquid ex eis postquam mortua fuerint, immudum erit, tam vas lineum quam vestis, aut…
This verse emphasizes that these restrictions aren't just about physical cleanliness, but about becoming "abominable" to God. It’s a call to a deeper holiness, where even what you consume and touch reflects your separation for God, setting you apart from the practices of surrounding nations.
This passage appears at the end of a detailed list of clean and unclean animals, including insects, fish, and birds. God has just finished explaining the distinctions, emphasizing that these rules are meant to help Israel be a holy people set apart from the nations. The verses immediately following will reiterate the call to holiness based on God's own nature.
This passage appears at the end of a detailed list of clean and unclean animals, including insects, fish, and birds. God has just finished explaining the distinctions, emphasizing that these rules are meant to help Israel be a holy people set apart from the nations. The verses immediately following will reiterate the call to holiness based on God's own nature.
"You shall not make yourselves detestable with any swarming thing that swarms, and you shall not defile yourselves with them, and become unclean through them. For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I a…" — This verse emphasizes that these restrictions aren't just about physical cleanliness, but about becoming "abominable" to God. It’s a call to a deeper holiness, where even what you consume and touch r…
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Last reviewed October 2026
