Leviticus 11:11
Leviticus 11:11 in Multiple Translations
They shall be an abomination to you; you must not eat their meat, and you must detest their carcasses.
They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination.
and they shall be an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, and their carcasses ye shall have in abomination.
They may not be used for food, and their dead bodies are disgusting to you.
They are repulsive. You must not eat their meat, and you must treat their dead bodies as repulsive.
They, I say, shalbe an abomination to you: ye shall not eate of their flesh, but shall abhorre their carkeis.
yea, an abomination they are to you; of their flesh ye do not eat, and their carcase ye abominate.
and you shall detest them. You shall not eat of their meat, and you shall detest their carcasses.
They shall be even an abomination to you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcasses in abomination.
And detestable: their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall avoid.
You must despise them, and you must not eat their meat, and you must detest their carcasses.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 11:11
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Leviticus 11:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/שֶׁ֖קֶץ
יִהְי֣וּ
לָ/כֶ֑ם
מִ/בְּשָׂרָ/ם֙
לֹ֣א
תֹאכֵ֔לוּ
וְ/אֶת
נִבְלָתָ֖/ם
תְּשַׁקֵּֽצוּ
וְ/שֶׁ֖קֶץ
sheqets
H8263
detestation
Conj | N-ms
יִהְי֣וּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
לָ/כֶ֑ם
Prep | Suff
מִ/בְּשָׂרָ/ם֙
bâsâr
H1320
flesh
Prep | N-ms | Suff
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
תֹאכֵ֔לוּ
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
נִבְלָתָ֖/ם
nᵉbêlâh
H5038
carcass
N-fs | Suff
תְּשַׁקֵּֽצוּ
shâqats
H8262
to detest
V-Piel-Imperf-2mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 11:11
וְ/שֶׁ֖קֶץ
sheqets
H8263
"detestation"
Conj | N-ms
This word means something that is detestable or an abomination, like the idols in Deuteronomy 7:25. It refers to things that are considered filthy or unclean.
Definition: detestable thing or idol, an unclean thing, an abomination, detestation
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: abominable(-tion). See also: Leviticus 7:21; Leviticus 11:20; Isaiah 66:17.
יִהְי֣וּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
לָ/כֶ֑ם
""
Prep | Suff
מִ/בְּשָׂרָ/ם֙
bâsâr
H1320
"flesh"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for flesh refers to the body or a person, and can also describe living things or animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe humans and animals, as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: 1) flesh 1a) of the body 1a1) of humans 1a2) of animals 1b) the body itself 1c) male organ of generation (euphemism) 1d) kindred, blood-relations 1e) flesh as frail or erring (man against God) 1f) all living things 1g) animals 1h) mankind Aramaic equivalent: be.shar (בְּשַׁר "flesh" H1321)
Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. See also: Genesis 2:21; Numbers 11:21; Psalms 16:9.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תֹאכֵ֔לוּ
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
נִבְלָתָ֖/ם
nᵉbêlâh
H5038
"carcass"
N-fs | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to a dead body or carcass, whether human or animal, often translated as 'dead body' or 'carcass'. It can also symbolize an idol.
Definition: 1) carcass, corpse 1a) of humans, idols, animals
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: (dead) body, (dead) carcase, dead of itself, which died, (beast) that (which) dieth of itself. See also: Leviticus 5:2; Joshua 8:29; Psalms 79:2.
תְּשַׁקֵּֽצוּ
shâqats
H8262
"to detest"
V-Piel-Imperf-2mp
To detest or loathe something is the meaning of this word, as seen in Psalm 119:163 where the writer hates falsehood. It involves strong feelings of dislike or disgust.
Definition: 1) (Piel) to detest, make abominable, count filthy, make detestable 1a) to detest 1b) to make detestable
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: abhor, make abominable, have in abomination, detest, [idiom] utterly. See also: Leviticus 11:11; Leviticus 20:25; Psalms 22:25.
Study Notes — Leviticus 11:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Leviticus 11:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 11:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 11:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 11:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 11:11
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 11:11
- Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 11:11
Context — Clean and Unclean Animals
9Of all the creatures that live in the water, whether in the seas or in the streams, you may eat anything with fins and scales.
10But the following among all the teeming life and creatures in the water are detestable to you: everything in the seas or streams that does not have fins and scales.
11They shall be an abomination to you; you must not eat their meat, and you must detest their carcasses.
12Everything in the water that does not have fins and scales shall be detestable to you. 13Additionally, you are to detest the following birds, and they must not be eaten because they are detestable: the eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture,Leviticus 11:11 Summary
This verse, Leviticus 11:11, is telling us that God wants us to stay away from certain foods that He considers unclean. This is not just about food, but about honoring God in all areas of our lives, as we see in 1 Corinthians 10:31. We are called to be separate from the world and to seek to live in a way that is pleasing to Him, as stated in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18. By following God's commands, we can show our love and respect for Him, and seek to live a life that is holy and pleasing in His sight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does God call certain foods an abomination in Leviticus 11:11?
God calls certain foods an abomination because they are not in line with His holy standards, as seen in Leviticus 11:11, and are not suitable for the Israelites to eat, in order to set them apart from other nations, as stated in Leviticus 20:26 and Deuteronomy 14:2-21.
Is this verse still applicable to Christians today?
While Christians are no longer bound by the same dietary laws as the Israelites, as stated in Romans 14:14 and Colossians 2:16-17, the principle of seeking to honor God in all aspects of life, including our food choices, remains relevant, as seen in 1 Corinthians 10:31.
What does it mean to 'detest' something in the context of this verse?
To detest something, as mentioned in Leviticus 11:11, means to have a strong dislike or hatred for it, and to consider it unclean or unfit for use, as also seen in Deuteronomy 7:26 and Proverbs 8:13.
How does this verse relate to the concept of holiness in the Bible?
This verse relates to the concept of holiness in that it emphasizes the importance of separating oneself from things that are considered unclean or unholy, in order to maintain a right relationship with God, as stated in Leviticus 11:44-45 and 1 Peter 1:15-16.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be compromising on God's standards, and how can I seek to honor Him in those areas?
- How can I balance my desire for freedom in Christ with the need to maintain a sense of reverence and respect for God's holiness?
- In what ways can I seek to 'detest' or turn away from things that are unclean or unholy in my own life, and instead seek to cultivate a heart of purity and obedience to God?
- What does it mean for me to 'be holy, for I am holy', as stated in Leviticus 11:44-45, and how can I apply this principle in my daily life?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 11:11
They shall be even an abomination to you,.... This is repeated again and again, to deter from the eating of such fishes, lest there should be any desire after them: ye shall not eat of their flesh,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 11:11
And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you: No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 11:11
An abomination unto you, to wit, for food. This clause is added to show that they were neither abominable in their own nature, nor for the food of other nations; and consequently when the partition-wall between Jews and Gentiles was taken away, these distinctions of meats were to cease. See Acts 10.
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 11:11
Leviticus 11:11 They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination.Ver. 11. They shall be even an abomination.] To teach us, that nothing is lawful, no not for our common use, unless it be "sanctified by the word of God and prayer."
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 11:11
Ch. Leviticus 11:1-23 [51]. The Distinction between Clean and Unclean Food [51] For the sources from which this ch. comes, and its relation from a critical point of view to Deuteronomy 14:3 ff. see App. I (c), pp. 162 f.One principle underlying this distinction appears to have been that animals which were recognised as in any way objects of worship by heathen neighbours, or even supposed by them to be connected with unseen supernatural beings, were to be considered unclean. See Bertholet in KHC., introd. note to this ch. But in other cases the prohibition probably rested on the animal’s repulsive appearance or uncleanly habits, or on sanitary or totemistic grounds. See Driver, Deut. p. 164, and Rob.-Sm. OTJC.2 p. 366. A list of animals which may and may not be eaten is given in Deuteronomy 14:3-20; it has close verbal affinity with Leviticus 11:2-21 of this ch. The two passages are placed side by side in Driver (ICC.) Deut.
P. 157 f. Both lists are divided into classes: (a) Beasts Leviticus 11:2-8. Cp. Deuteronomy 14:3-8 Deut. enumerates three domestic, and seven wild animals, as clean beasts which may be eaten. Lev. does not mention the clean beasts, but both give their two distinguishing marks—‘Whatsoever parteth the hoof … and cheweth the cud,’ and specify the same four beasts which have not both of these marks as unclean. Lev. is more diffuse, but employs the same expressions as Deut. (b) Fishes Leviticus 11:9-12. Cp. Deuteronomy 14:9-10 The same criterion of cleanness, having ‘scales and fins,’ is given both in Lev. and Deut., but Lev. is more diffuse, and introduces a word (Heb. shéḳ ?eẓ ?) detestation, used frequently in this ch., also in Leviticus 7:21, and Isaiah 66:17; Ezekiel 8:10. Another and commoner form (shiḳ ?ḳ ?uẓ ?) occurs in Deuteronomy 29:16.
No fish is mentioned by name, and the distinction between clean and unclean fishes in particular cases was determined by the Jewish rabbis. (c) Birds Leviticus 11:13-19. Cp. Deuteronomy 14:11-18 Deut. begins with ‘Of all clean birds ye may eat’ (Leviticus 11:11), but does not give a list like that of clean beasts. The forbidden birds are almost identical in both. (d) Winged swarming things Leviticus 11:20-23. Cp. Deuteronomy 14:19-20 Lev. adds ‘that go upon all four’ (Leviticus 11:20), and in Leviticus 11:21-22 gives a list of winged swarming things that may be eaten (those that ‘leap’), repeating in Leviticus 11:23 the prohibition of Lev 11:20. Deut. concludes the list with ‘of all clean fowls (the same Heb. word as for ‘winged things’) ye may eat’ (Leviticus 14:20), but gives no list.
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 11:11
FISHES, Leviticus 11:9-12.No species of fish are here mentioned; the possession of both fins and scales is the line of demarcation between the clean and the unclean.