Leviticus 11:7

Arabic Simplified (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

لَا تَأْكُلُوا الخِنزِيرَ، إذْ لَهُ حَافِرٌ مَشقُوقٌ، لَكِنَّهُ لَا يَجْتَرُّ، فَهُوَ نَجِسٌ لَكُمْ.

What Does This Mean?

This verse from Leviticus tells us that pigs are not clean because, even though they have split hooves, they do not chew their cud. This is part of God's instructions to the Israelites about which animals they can and cannot eat.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a rule about what snacks you can have. This rule says that to be a good snack, it needs to have two things: it has to have split hooves and chew its cud. Pigs have split hooves, but they don't chew their cud, so they're not a good snack according to God's rules.

Historical Background

Leviticus was written by Moses around 1446-1406 BCE. It was given to the Israelites to guide them on how to live a holy life, including dietary laws. In the context of ancient Israel, these laws were part of their distinct identity and helped them maintain separation from surrounding pagan cultures.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, this verse can remind us of the importance of following specific guidelines set by authority figures, like health and safety standards. For instance, a chef following strict food safety rules to ensure the health of their customers mirrors the idea of following God's rules for dietary purity.

Topics

• dietary laws
• purity
• holiness
• identity
• God's instructions
• cultural practices

Related Verses

• Deuteronomy 14:7
• Ezekiel 4:14
• Isaiah 65:2-5
• Romans 14:14
• 1 Corinthians 6:12

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are pigs considered unclean in Leviticus?

Pigs are considered unclean because they do not meet the criteria set by God for clean animals: having split hooves and chewing their cud. This reflects a broader set of purity laws that helped distinguish Israel from other cultures.

How do these laws apply to Christians today?

Christians generally interpret the New Testament as freeing them from these specific dietary laws, but the principles of holiness and distinction from worldly practices still apply in different forms, like ethical eating or spiritual purity.

What are other animals mentioned as unclean?

Other animals mentioned as unclean include camels, rabbits, and various birds and insects. The criteria for being clean are clearly laid out in Leviticus and Deuteronomy.

How did these laws affect the Israelites?

These laws significantly affected the Israelites by shaping their diet, health, and cultural identity, distinguishing them from surrounding nations and reinforcing their covenant with God.