Clean and unclean animals are a significant topic in the Bible. Today, we’ll see what Scripture says about this distinction and its meaning for believers.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Exhortation
What Does The Bible Say About Clean And Unclean Animals
Leviticus 11:1-2
The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them, “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, ‘These are the living things that you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth.
This verse begins the instructions given by God to the Israelites regarding clean and unclean animals. It sets the stage for the dietary laws that were to be followed by the people, distinguishing between animals that were permitted for consumption and those that were not.
Leviticus 11:4-8
Nevertheless, among those that chew the cud or part the hoof, you shall not eat these: the camel, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. And the rock badger, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. And the hare, because it chews the cud but does not part the hoof, is unclean to you. And the pig, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. You shall not eat any of their flesh, and you shall not touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you.
This passage details specific animals that are considered unclean and prohibited for consumption. The criteria for determining cleanliness includes chewing the cud and parting the hoof. These laws were put in place to maintain a distinction between the people of God and the surrounding nations, emphasizing their commitment to holiness and obedience to God’s commandments.
Acts 10:12-15
In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.”
This passage highlights a vision that Peter experienced, in which God showed him various animals, including those considered unclean under the Old Testament dietary laws. God instructed Peter to rise, kill, and eat these animals, challenging his understanding of what was considered clean and unclean. This vision served as a lesson to Peter that God’s grace and message of salvation are available to all people, regardless of their previous categorization as clean or unclean.
Acts 10:28
And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.
Here, Peter shares how he came to understand the broader significance of the vision he had received. He realized that the vision was not only about clean and unclean animals but also about how God does not categorize people as clean or unclean based on their nationality or ethnicity. This revelation broke down the barriers between Jews and Gentiles, laying the foundation for the inclusion of all people in the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Romans 14:14
I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.
Paul addresses the topic of clean and unclean animals in the context of personal convictions and beliefs. He affirms that, in Christ, there are no inherently unclean foods. However, if someone’s conscience considers certain foods as unclean, they should abstain from eating them. Paul emphasizes the importance of respecting each other’s beliefs and not causing others to stumble through our freedom in Christ.
1 Timothy 4:3-5
They forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
Paul warns Timothy about false teachings that promote strict abstinence from certain foods, denying the goodness of God’s creation. He affirms that all foods, when received with gratitude and prayer, are made holy by the word of God. This passage reinforces the idea that dietary restrictions should not be imposed as a means of achieving salvation or spiritual superiority.
Colossians 2:16-17
Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
Paul encourages the believers in Colossae not to let anyone condemn them for their dietary choices or observance of special days. He reminds them that these regulations were a shadow of the future realities found in Christ. The focus should be on following Christ and not on external rituals or dietary practices.
Mark 7:18-19
And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.)
In this encounter, Jesus addresses the Pharisees’ concern about His disciples eating without ritually washing their hands. Jesus teaches them that it is not the external act of eating with unwashed hands that defiles a person but the condition of the heart. While this verse does not directly refer to clean and unclean animals, Jesus’ statement that all foods are clean indicates a departure from the Old Testament dietary laws.
Genesis 1:29
And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.
In the original creation, God ordained a vegetarian diet for humanity, consisting of fruits, vegetables, and grains. This verse establishes God’s initial provision of food for humanity and demonstrates His intention for humans to live in harmony with the rest of creation.
Genesis 9:3
Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.
After the flood, God expands the permissible food options for humanity, granting them the ability to eat animals. This verse marks a shift in the dietary practices of humanity, providing greater flexibility in food choices.
Proverbs 23:20-21
Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.
This proverb warns against excess in food consumption and indulgence. While not specifically addressing clean and unclean animals, it highlights the importance of temperance and self-control in all aspects of life, including our eating habits.
Matthew 15:11
It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.
Jesus teaches that it is not the food we consume that makes us unclean or defiled. Rather, He emphasizes the importance of the words that come out of our mouths and the condition of our hearts. This verse reinforces the idea that our spiritual health is not determined by dietary restrictions but by the state of our relationship with God.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Paul reminds believers of the significance of their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. This verse emphasizes the importance of honoring God with our bodies, including the choices we make in regards to food and our overall health. While it doesn’t specifically address dietary laws, it encourages believers to prioritize their well-being as a means of glorifying God.
Matthew 4:4
But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
When tempted by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus quotes this passage from Deuteronomy 8:3. He affirms that sustenance and life are not solely dependent on physical food but also on the spiritual nourishment found in God’s Word. This verse highlights the importance of prioritizing spiritual nourishment over physical cravings.
Romans 14:2-3
One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.
Paul addresses the issue of differing dietary convictions within the community of believers. He cautions against judgment and urges a spirit of acceptance and love for one another, irrespective of personal dietary choices. This verse emphasizes the importance of unity and respect within the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Paul reminds the Corinthians that everything they do, including their dietary choices, should be done to bring glory to God. This verse places importance on the motives behind our actions and urges believers to consider how their choices can reflect God’s goodness and grace.
Isaiah 55:2
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
Isaiah calls the people to re-evaluate their priorities and desires. Instead of pursuing temporary indulgence and satisfaction in physical food, he urges them to seek spiritual nourishment and delight in the goodness of God. This verse encourages believers to find true satisfaction in God rather than in the pursuit of material pleasures.
Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
Hosea’s words serve as a reminder of the importance of knowledge and understanding God’s law. This passage emphasizes the significance of knowing and obeying God’s instructions, including the dietary laws in the Old Testament. It warns against neglecting or rejecting God’s wisdom, as it can lead to destructive consequences.
Daniel 1:8
But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.
In this passage, Daniel demonstrates his commitment to obeying God’s commandments by refusing to eat the food provided by the king’s court. He requests a different diet, consisting of vegetables and water, in order to maintain his obedience and faithfulness to God. This verse highlights the importance of honoring God’s instructions even in challenging circumstances.
Matthew 6:25
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Jesus addresses the issue of worry and anxiety, emphasizing the value of prioritizing the kingdom of God over material concerns such as food and clothing. This verse reminds believers to trust in God’s provision and focus on eternal matters rather than being consumed by temporal needs.
Matthew 4:2
And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
This verse describes Jesus’ state of hunger after fasting for a significant period. It highlights the reality of human physical needs, including the need for sustenance. While Jesus practiced fasting, demonstrating discipline and reliance on God, this verse also emphasizes the importance of attending to our physical needs in appropriate ways.
Psalm 34:8
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
This psalm invites individuals to experience the goodness of God firsthand. It encourages people to seek refuge in the Lord and find satisfaction in Him. While this verse does not directly address dietary laws, it conveys the idea that ultimate fulfillment and nourishment are found in God Himself.
Matthew 6:19-20
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Jesus teaches His followers to prioritize eternal treasures over temporary possessions. While not directly addressing food or dietary restrictions, this verse encourages believers to set their hearts on heavenly things rather than becoming overly concerned with accumulating earthly wealth, including food and material provisions.