Leviticus 11:43

Arabic 2018 (الترجمة الكاثوليكيّة (اليسوعيّة))

لا تُقَبِّحوا أَنفُسَكم بِشَيءٍ مِنَ الدُّوَيباتِ الَّتي تَعِجُّ بِها الأَرض، ولا تَتَنَجَّسوا بِها فتَكونوا نَجِسين.

What Does This Mean?

God tells the Israelites not to eat or touch certain animals that crawl on the ground because doing so would make them unclean. The key message is about keeping oneself pure and following God's commands.

Explained for Children

Imagine if your parents told you not to play with dirty toys because it would make you dirty too. That's what God is saying here, but about not eating or touching certain creatures.

Historical Background

This verse is part of the Levitical laws, written by Moses around 1446-1406 BCE. It was given to the Israelites to guide them in their daily lives and to maintain their spiritual purity in a culture where cleanliness and purity were significant.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, this could be seen as a reminder to avoid behaviors or habits that could harm our spiritual well-being. For instance, staying away from negative influences or activities that could 'defile' our character.

Topics

• purity
• holiness
• spiritual cleanliness
• God's laws
• health
• abstinence

Related Verses

• Deuteronomy 14:3
• Ezekiel 22:26
• Romans 14:14
• 1 Corinthians 6:19
• 1 Corinthians 10:21

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did God give these specific laws?

God gave these laws to the Israelites to help them maintain spiritual purity and to distinguish them as a holy people, setting them apart from other nations.

Are these laws still applicable today?

While the dietary laws themselves are not typically followed today by Christians, the principle of avoiding things that can harm our spiritual health remains relevant.

How can we understand 'abominable' in this context?

'Abominable' here refers to things that are detestable or unclean, which could spiritually harm the Israelites. It is a warning to avoid actions that go against God's will.

What can we learn about God from this verse?

This verse teaches us about God's concern for the spiritual and physical well-being of His people and His desire for them to live in a way that honors Him.