Leviticus 11:23
New International Version
But all other flying insects that have four legs you are to regard as unclean.

New Living Translation
All other winged insects that walk along the ground are detestable to you.

English Standard Version
But all other winged insects that have four feet are detestable to you.

Berean Standard Bible
All other flying insects that have four legs are detestable to you.

King James Bible
But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you.

New King James Version
But all other flying insects which have four feet shall be an abomination to you.

New American Standard Bible
But all other winged insects which are four-footed are detestable to you.

NASB 1995
‘But all other winged insects which are four-footed are detestable to you.

NASB 1977
‘But all other winged insects which are four-footed are detestable to you.

Legacy Standard Bible
But all other swarming things that fly and that are four-footed are detestable to you.

Amplified Bible
But all other winged insects which are four footed are detestable to you.

Christian Standard Bible
All other winged insects that have four feet are to be abhorrent to you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
All other winged insects that have four feet are to be detestable to you.”

American Standard Version
But all winged creeping things, which have four feet, are an abomination unto you.

English Revised Version
But all winged creeping things, which have four feet, are an abomination unto you.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Every kind of winged insect that walks across the ground like a four-legged animal is disgusting to you.

Good News Translation
But all other small things that have wings and also crawl must be considered unclean.

International Standard Version
But any other winged insect that has four legs is detestable for you

Majority Standard Bible
All other flying insects that have four legs are detestable to you.

NET Bible
But any other winged swarming thing that has four legs is detestable to you.

New Heart English Bible
But all winged crawling creatures which have four feet, are an abomination to you.

Webster's Bible Translation
But all other flying creeping animals, which have four feet, shall be an abomination to you.

World English Bible
But all winged creeping things which have four feet are an abomination to you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and every teeming thing which is flying, which has four feet—it [is] an abomination to you.

Young's Literal Translation
and every teeming thing which is flying, which hath four feet -- an abomination it is to you.

Smith's Literal Translation
And every creeping bird which to it is four feet, it is abomination to you.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But of dying things whatsoever hath four feet only, shall be an abomination to you:

Catholic Public Domain Version
But among flying things, whatever has only four feet shall be detestable to you.

New American Bible
All other winged insects that have four legs are loathsome for you.

New Revised Standard Version
But all other winged insects that have four feet are detestable to you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But all other flying insects which have four feet are unclean to you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And every offspring of insects that has four legs is defiled to you.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But all winged swarming things, which have four feet, are a detestable thing unto you.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Every creeping thing from among the birds, which has four feet, is an abomination to you.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Clean and Unclean Animals
22Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket, or grasshopper. 23All other flying insects that have four legs are detestable to you. 24These creatures will make you unclean. Whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean until evening,…

Cross References
Acts 10:12-15
It contained all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, as well as birds of the air. / Then a voice said to him: “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!” / “No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” ...

Mark 7:18-19
“Are you still so dull?” He asked. “Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, / because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.)

Matthew 15:11
A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”

Romans 14:14
I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.

1 Timothy 4:4-5
For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, / because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Colossians 2:16-17
Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. / These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.

Genesis 7:2-3
You are to take with you seven pairs of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate; a pair of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate; / and seven pairs of every kind of bird of the air, male and female, to preserve their offspring on the face of all the earth.

Deuteronomy 14:19-20
All flying insects are unclean for you; they may not be eaten. / But you may eat any clean bird.

Ezekiel 4:14
“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have not eaten anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts. No unclean meat has ever entered my mouth.”

Isaiah 66:17
“Those who consecrate and purify themselves to enter the groves—to follow one in the center of those who eat the flesh of swine and vermin and rats—will perish together,” declares the LORD.

1 Corinthians 10:25-26
Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, / for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”

Romans 14:20
Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to let his eating be a stumbling block.

Genesis 1:29-30
Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food. / And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

Acts 15:28-29
It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements: / You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.

1 Corinthians 8:8
But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.


Treasury of Scripture

But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination to you.

Jump to Previous
Abomination Animals Crawling Creatures Creeping Detest Detestable Disgusting Earth Feet Flying Four Four-Footed Insects Legs Swarming Teeming Winged
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Abomination Animals Crawling Creatures Creeping Detest Detestable Disgusting Earth Feet Flying Four Four-Footed Insects Legs Swarming Teeming Winged
Leviticus 11
1. What animals may be eaten
4. and what may not be eaten
9. What fishes
13. What fowls
29. The creeping things which are unclean














All other flying insects
In the context of Leviticus, the Israelites were given specific dietary laws to distinguish them from other nations. Flying insects, in this context, refer to creatures that have wings and are capable of flight. The classification of animals in Leviticus is part of a broader system of purity and holiness, reflecting God's desire for His people to be set apart. The distinction between clean and unclean animals is a recurring theme in the Pentateuch, emphasizing the importance of obedience and separation from pagan practices.

that have four legs
The description of insects having four legs is a generalization, as insects typically have six legs. This phrase likely refers to the primary legs used for walking, with the additional two being considered separately, possibly for jumping or other functions. The ancient Hebrew understanding of animal anatomy was based on observation rather than scientific classification, and this description fits within that context. The focus here is on the practical identification of creatures that were to be avoided.

are detestable to you
The term "detestable" indicates a strong prohibition against consuming these creatures. This language underscores the seriousness with which God viewed the dietary laws. The use of "detestable" is consistent with other prohibitions in Leviticus, where certain practices and items are considered abominations. This reflects the holiness code that required the Israelites to maintain purity in their daily lives. The dietary laws served as a constant reminder of their covenant relationship with God and their call to be a holy nation. The concept of detestability is echoed in other parts of Scripture, such as in the New Testament, where Peter's vision in Acts 10 challenges the traditional understanding of clean and unclean, pointing to the inclusivity of the Gospel.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Leviticus, who received the laws from God to instruct the Israelites.

2. Israelites
The recipients of the Levitical laws, including dietary restrictions, as part of their covenant relationship with God.

3. Mount Sinai
The location where God delivered the laws to Moses, including the dietary laws found in Leviticus.

4. Clean and Unclean Animals
A central theme in Leviticus 11, where God distinguishes between animals that can and cannot be eaten.

5. Dietary Laws
A set of regulations given to the Israelites to maintain holiness and separation from other nations.
Teaching Points
Understanding Holiness
The dietary laws were a means for Israel to live distinctively as God's holy people. Today, believers are called to live holy lives, set apart in conduct and character.

Symbolism of Purity
The distinction between clean and unclean animals symbolizes the need for spiritual purity. Believers should examine their hearts and actions to ensure they align with God's standards.

Cultural and Historical Context
Recognizing the cultural and historical context of Levitical laws helps us understand their purpose and relevance. While the specific dietary laws are not binding on Christians, the principle of living distinctively remains.

Freedom in Christ
In Christ, believers have freedom from the Old Testament dietary laws. However, this freedom should be exercised with consideration for others and in a way that honors God.

Spiritual Discernment
Just as the Israelites needed discernment in following dietary laws, Christians need spiritual discernment to navigate moral and ethical decisions in a complex world.(23) But all other flying creeping things.--Better, but all other winged creeping things. Besides the above-named four species and their kindreds, all other locusts, as well as insects of any kind, are to be abhorred as food.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
All
וְכֹל֙ (wə·ḵōl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

other winged
הָע֔וֹף (hā·‘ō·wp̄)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5775: Flying creatures

creatures
שֶׁ֣רֶץ (še·reṣ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8318: A swarm, active mass of minute animals

that
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

have four
אַרְבַּ֣ע (’ar·ba‘)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 702: Four

legs
רַגְלָ֑יִם (raḡ·lā·yim)
Noun - fd
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

are detestable to you.
שֶׁ֥קֶץ (še·qeṣ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8263: Detestation, detestable thing


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OT Law: Leviticus 11:23 But all winged creeping things which have (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 11:22
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