Leviticus 11:7
And the pig, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights the pig's split hoof, which looks like a sign of cleanness, but then points out its failure to chew its cud, revealing that outward appearance can be deceptive in God's eyes. This isn't just about diet; it’s a lesson that true holiness requires more than just appearing righteous; it demands internal processes of reflection and digestion, like chewing the cud, to truly be set apart.
This passage is part of a larger section of Leviticus detailing dietary laws given by God to the Israelites. After outlining the criteria for clean land animals (parting the hoof and chewing the cud), God provides specific examples of animals that do not meet these requirements, such as the pig. This list of forbidden animals served to set the Israelites apart from surrounding nations and teach them about holiness.
Ever wondered why pork is so often associated with impurity or even disgust? Leviticus 11:7 gives us a clue, but the 'why' runs deeper than just the animal's habits.
The prohibition of the pig isn't just about what it eats, but what it represents. Ancient commentators noted the pig's reputation for filthiness, eating 'all manner of ordure' and even carrion. This behavior made it a potent symbol of impurity, pollution, and even moral degradation in the ancient world. Its association with pagan deities further solidified its status as something to be avoided by God's people.
Think of it like this: God was calling Israel to be a people set apart. Their food choices were a constant, daily reminder of this calling. By abstaining from the pig, they were actively rejecting the practices and the symbolic meanings associated with pagan cultures around them. It was a way to train their hearts and minds to desire holiness, not defilement.
The verse gives specific biological markers for clean animals (parting the hoof, chewing the cud). But is there more to these signs than just animal husbandry?
Leviticus 11:7, along with other verses in this chapter, establishes criteria for clean animals: they must both part the hoof and chew the cud. The pig only does one of these. While modern interpretations might focus on health benefits, the original intent was broader.
The Twofold Principle:
When combined, these traits point to a balanced, holistic approach to living: the ability to discern right from wrong and the capacity to deeply process and internalize God's Word. The pig, lacking one of these, was incomplete – a symbol of partiality or a lack of spiritual depth.
This passage uses the image of a 'dog returning to its vomit' and a 'sow that is washed returning to wallow in the mire' to describe false teachers who have turned back to their sinful ways. It highlights the inherent uncleanliness and regression associated with the imagery of the pig.
Acts 10:14When Peter has his vision of a great sheet filled with animals, he protests, 'No, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.' This shows how deeply ingrained the dietary laws, including the prohibition of pork, were for Jewish believers and how radical the shift would be for the gospel to extend to Gentiles.
1 Corinthians 10:25Paul tells believers they can eat whatever is sold in the meat market without questioning it for conscience' sake. This indicates that the ceremonial distinctions of the Old Testament law, like the prohibition of pork, were no longer binding for Christians, as Christ fulfilled these laws.
Romans 14:14Paul states, 'I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself.' This verse directly addresses the idea of clean and unclean foods, asserting that for believers in Christ, these Old Testament distinctions have been abolished.
This historical account describes Eleazar's martyrdom rather than eat pork, highlighting the intense cultural and religious significance of the prohibition. It shows how eating swine's flesh was seen as a profound act of apostasy and a rejection of God's covenant.
bensonLeviticus 11:7: "And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you."
Leviticus 11:7 . And the swine — This animal is remarkable for filthiness, and for feeding on all manner of ordure, even carrion if it falls in its way, and therefore a sow wallowing in the mire is set forth as an emblem of impurity, by writers sacred and profane. And Maimonides alleges its filthiness as the chief reason of its flesh being prohibited. Vossius, howev…
clarkeLeviticus 11:7: "And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you."
And the swine - חזיר chazir, one of the most gluttonous, libidinous, and filthy quadrupeds in the universe; and, because of these qualities, sacred to the Venus of the Greeks and Romans, and the Friga of our Saxon ancestors; and perhaps on these accounts forbidden, as well as on account of its flesh being strong and difficult to digest, affording a very gross kind…
The verse highlights the pig's split hoof, which looks like a sign of cleanness, but then points out its failure to chew its cud, revealing that outward appearance can be deceptive in God's eyes. This isn't just about diet; it’s a lesson that true holiness requires more than just appearing righteous; it demands internal processes of reflection and digestion, like chewing the cud, to truly be set apart.
This passage is part of a larger section of Leviticus detailing dietary laws given by God to the Israelites. After outlining the criteria for clean land animals (parting the hoof and chewing the cud), God provides specific examples of animals that do not meet these requirements, such as the pig. This list of forbidden animals served to set the Israelites apart from surrounding nations and teach them about holiness.
This passage is part of a larger section of Leviticus detailing dietary laws given by God to the Israelites. After outlining the criteria for clean land animals (parting the hoof and chewing the cud), God provides specific examples of animals that do meet these requirements, such as the pig. This list of forbidden animals served to set the Israelites apart from surrounding nations and teach them about holiness.
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"And the pig, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you." — The verse highlights the pig's split hoof, which looks like a sign of cleanness, but then points out its failure to chew its cud, revealing that outward appearance can be deceptive in God's eyes. T…
