Leviticus 11 – Laws About Clean and Unclean Animals
Leviticus 11 sets forth dietary laws distinguishing between clean and unclean animals:
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Land animals: Those that both chew the cud and have a divided hoof may be eaten (e.g., ox, sheep, goat). Animals that have only one of these traits (e.g., camel, hare, swine) are unclean.
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Sea creatures: Only those with fins and scales are clean. Others (like shellfish and eels) are unclean.
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Birds: A list of unclean birds is given (eagles, vultures, owls, etc.). Other birds not listed may be eaten.
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Flying insects: Most are unclean, except certain kinds of locusts, beetles, and grasshoppers.
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Creeping things: Mice, lizards, weasels, and similar creatures are unclean.
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Defilement: Touching the carcasses of unclean animals, or objects they fall upon, makes one unclean until evening and often requires washing of clothes.
The chapter closes with a call to holiness: Israel is to be distinct because God is holy, and these dietary separations remind them of their covenant identity.
Leviticus 12 – Purification After Childbirth
This short chapter deals with ceremonial purification following childbirth:
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Male child: A woman is ceremonially unclean for seven days, as during her menstrual period. On the eighth day, the male child is to be circumcised. She remains in the “blood of her purifying” for 33 more days, not touching holy things or entering the sanctuary.
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Female child: The initial period of uncleanness lasts 14 days, followed by 66 days of purification.
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Sacrifices required: At the end of her purification, the mother brings a burnt offering (a lamb, or two turtledoves/pigeons if poor) and a sin offering. The priest makes atonement for her, and she is considered clean.
This emphasizes both the seriousness of sin and impurity before God and His provision of cleansing through sacrifice.
? In short:
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Chapter 11 distinguishes clean from unclean animals, teaching separation and holiness.
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Chapter 12 outlines purification laws after childbirth, pointing to the need for atonement and cleansing.
