Bible Strands
Leviticus 11:3
You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God instructs Moses to address the Israelites regarding permissible land animals. This directive occurs within the broader covenant code delivered during the wilderness period.
The words — מַפְרֶ֣סֶת (mafreset) literally means divides in two, and מַעֲלַ֥ת (ma'alat) means brings up. These terms establish the two physical markers required for an animal to be considered clean.
The thread — The requirement to separate clean from unclean echoes in 2 Corinthians 6:17 and the command to internalize God’s instructions in Deuteronomy 6:6. The immediate context (Leviticus 11:4) contrasts compliant animals with those that meet only one of the two criteria.
Why it lands — The text plainly requires both a completely split hoof and cud-chewing for consumption. It asks readers to recognize and obey specific boundaries without rationalizing or ignoring the stated criteria.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 2:10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will delight your soul.
- 2 Corinthians 6:17 “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
- Deuteronomy 6:6 These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts.
- Deuteronomy 16:3 You must not eat leavened bread with it; for seven days you are to eat with it unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left the land of Egypt in haste—so that you may remember for the rest of your life the day you left the land of Egypt.
- Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.
- Proverbs 9:6 Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
- Acts 17:11 Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.
- 1 Timothy 4:15 Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.
- Proverbs 2:1 My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you,