Exodus 11
Leviticus 11 gives Israel regulations concerning clean and unclean animals. Through Moses and Aaron, God distinguishes which animals may be eaten and which must not be eaten. The chapter covers land animals, aquatic creatures, birds, insects, other swarming creatures, and the broader call for Israel to be holy because the LORD is holy.
1verseThe LORD said to Moses, “I will bring yet one more plague on Pharaoh, and on Egypt; afterwards he will let you go. When he lets you go, he will surely thrust you out altogether.
2verseSpeak now in the ears of the people, and let every man ask of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.”
3verseThe LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants, and in the sight of the people.
4verseMoses said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘About midnight I will go out into the middle of Egypt,
5verseand all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the mill, and all the firstborn of livestock.
6verseThere will be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has not been, nor will be any more.
7verseBut against any of the children of Israel a dog won’t even bark or move its tongue, against man or animal, that you may know that the LORD makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel.
8verseAll these servants of yours will come down to me, and bow down themselves to me, saying, “Get out, with all the people who follow you;” and after that I will go out.’” He went out from Pharaoh in hot anger.
9verseThe LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh won’t listen to you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.”
10verseMoses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he didn’t let the children of Israel go out of his land.
Details and Meaning
- Land animals: Animals that both have divided hooves and chew the cud may be eaten. Animals such as the camel, the rock badger, the hare, and the pig are treated as unclean for Israel.
- Creatures in water: Creatures with fins and scales may be eaten; those without fins and scales are not permitted as food.
- Birds and insects: Certain birds are listed as unclean, while some kinds of winged insects, such as locusts, are permitted.
- Concluding emphasis: The food laws teach Israel to distinguish clean from unclean and to live as a people set apart for God.
The Overall Meaning and Background
These regulations are not merely about hygiene. They teach Israel to practice holiness in ordinary life, including eating and daily contact with the created world. God’s people are to be distinct from the surrounding nations, and even their daily habits are brought under God’s rule.
Points for Reflection
- Even ordinary daily choices can become a place where faith and obedience are expressed.
- This chapter invites us to consider what it means to live as God’s distinct people in the world.
- Holiness is not only an outward appearance; it is the attitude of placing God’s standard first in life.
Try Applying It to Me
- Although Christians do not keep these food laws in the same covenantal way, I can still ask whether my daily habits are shaped by God’s will.
- Look for concrete ways to honor God in ordinary areas such as eating, leisure, relationships, speech, and work.
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