Bible Strands
Leviticus 11:41
Every creature that moves along the ground is detestable; it must not be eaten.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God addresses Moses and Aaron, speaking to the Israelite assembly within the ritual code of Leviticus. This declaration occurs immediately after regulations concerning carcass impurity and just before detailed classifications of crawling animals.
The words — The Hebrew word שֶׁקֶץ (sheqetz) literally denotes a detestable or abhorrent thing. It is coupled with the negative particle לֹא (lo) to form an absolute prohibition against consumption.
The thread — This blanket prohibition against ground-moving creatures runs parallel to the specific unclean reptiles listed in Leviticus 11:29 and the detailed crawling categories in Leviticus 11:42. The same term appears in Leviticus 11:20 and 11:23 to classify flying insects as detestable.
Why it lands — The text commands strict dietary avoidance of ground-dwelling animals without offering medical or ecological explanations. Readers must treat this boundary as a fixed ritual marker that requires compliance regardless of personal preference or practical utility.
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
And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten.
Cross-references
- Leviticus 11:29 The following creatures that move along the ground are unclean for you: the mole, the mouse, any kind of great lizard,
- Leviticus 11:20 All flying insects that walk on all fours are detestable to you.
- Leviticus 11:23 All other flying insects that have four legs are detestable to you.