Leviticus 11:12
Leviticus 11:12 in Multiple Translations
Everything in the water that does not have fins and scales shall be detestable to you.
Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.
Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that is an abomination unto you.
Anything in the water which has no special parts for swimming and no thin plates on its skin is disgusting to you.
All such water creatures that don't have fins and scales are to be repulsive to you.
Whatsoeuer hath not fins nor skales in the waters, that shalbe abomination vnto you.
'Any one that hath not fins and scales in the waters — an abomination it [is] to you.
Whatever has no fins nor scales in the waters is an abomination to you.
Whatever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination to you.
All that have not fins and scales, in the waters, shall be unclean.
You must detest everything that lives in the water that does not have fins and scales.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 11:12
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 11:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כֹּ֣ל
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
אֵֽין
ל֛/וֹ
סְנַפִּ֥יר
וְ/קַשְׂקֶ֖שֶׂת
בַּ/מָּ֑יִם
שֶׁ֥קֶץ
ה֖וּא
לָ/כֶֽם
כֹּ֣ל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
אֵֽין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Part
ל֛/וֹ
Prep | Suff
סְנַפִּ֥יר
çᵉnappîyr
H5579
fin
N-ms
וְ/קַשְׂקֶ֖שֶׂת
qasqeseth
H7193
scale
Conj | N-fs
בַּ/מָּ֑יִם
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
Prep | N-mp
שֶׁ֥קֶץ
sheqets
H8263
detestation
N-ms
ה֖וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
לָ/כֶֽם
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 11:12
כֹּ֣ל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
אֵֽין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
ל֛/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
סְנַפִּ֥יר
çᵉnappîyr
H5579
"fin"
N-ms
This word refers to a fin, collectively. It is used to describe the fins of fish in the Bible. The term is simple and to the point.
Definition: fin
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: fins. See also: Leviticus 11:9; Leviticus 11:12; Deuteronomy 14:10.
וְ/קַשְׂקֶ֖שֶׂת
qasqeseth
H7193
"scale"
Conj | N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to the scales of a fish or a coat of mail, like the armor worn by King Saul in 1 Samuel 17:38. It describes something that protects or covers. The KJV Bible translates it as mail or scale.
Definition: scale (of fish, water animals)
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: mail, scale. See also: Leviticus 11:9; Deuteronomy 14:9; Ezekiel 29:4.
בַּ/מָּ֑יִם
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
Prep | N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
שֶׁ֥קֶץ
sheqets
H8263
"detestation"
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.
ה֖וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
לָ/כֶֽם
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Leviticus 11:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Clean and Unclean Animals
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, 14the kite, any kind of falcon,Leviticus 11:12 Summary
This verse is saying that God wants His people to be careful about what they eat from the water, and only eat fish that have fins and scales. This is because God wants us to be holy and set apart for Him, as seen in Leviticus 11:44-45. By following these guidelines, we can show our love and respect for God, and trust that He knows what is best for us. As we consider our own choices and actions, we can remember that God desires for us to be mindful of how we live, and to seek to honor Him in all things, as seen in 1 Corinthians 10:31.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does God specify that fish must have fins and scales to be considered clean?
This distinction is likely due to the unique characteristics of fish with fins and scales, which set them apart from other sea creatures, as seen in Leviticus 11:12, and is in line with God's desire for His people to be separate and holy, as stated in Leviticus 11:44-45.
Are there any New Testament references to this Old Testament dietary law?
While the New Testament does not explicitly repeat this law, it does emphasize the importance of being mindful of what we put into our bodies, as seen in 1 Corinthians 10:31, and the idea of being set apart for God's purposes, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of Leviticus?
Leviticus 11:12 is part of a larger discussion on cleanliness and holiness, as God sets forth guidelines for the Israelites to follow in order to be a holy people, separate from the surrounding nations, as stated in Leviticus 20:26.
Is this verse still relevant to Christians today?
While the specific dietary laws of the Old Testament are not directly applicable to Christians, the underlying principles of being mindful of our actions and seeking to honor God in all aspects of life are still relevant, as seen in Romans 14:13-23 and Colossians 2:16-17.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I can apply the principle of being 'set apart' for God's purposes in my own life, beyond just dietary choices?
- How can I balance the need to be mindful of my actions and choices with the freedom and grace that I have in Christ?
- In what ways can I use my daily choices, including what I eat and how I live, to honor and glorify God?
- What are some potential consequences of ignoring or disregarding God's guidelines for living, as seen in this verse and others like it?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 11:12
Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters,.... Which is repeated that they might take particular notice of this law, and be careful to observe it, this being the only sign given: that [shall
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 11:12
Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you. Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales ... Fins are pectoral, ventral, dorsal, anal, and caudal. True fish have all, or at least some, of these.
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 11:12
Leviticus 11:12 Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that [shall be] an abomination unto you.Ver. 12. Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales.] These are little in motion or action, and so not so wholesome as eels and lampreys, that lie lazily in the mud.
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 11:12
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 11:12
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.