Understanding Old Testament Food Laws
The most comprehensive biblical dietary laws are found in Leviticus Chapter 11 and Deuteronomy Chapter 14. These passages delineate which animals are considered "clean" (permissible to eat) and "unclean" (forbidden) based on specific criteria. These laws were fundamental to the covenant God made with the Israelites, serving to sanctify them and make them a distinct people.
Unclean Animals According to the Bible
Based on Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, various animals are categorized as unclean. For land animals, the rule is they must have cloven hooves AND chew the cud; failing either makes them unclean. This includes swine (pork), camels, hares, and rock badgers. Animals that walk on paws are also unclean.
For sea creatures, both fins and scales are required for an animal to be considered clean. This excludes shellfish like shrimp, lobsters, and crabs, as well as fish lacking either fins or scales such as eels and catfish.
A list of specific birds is also deemed unclean, largely comprising predatory birds and scavengers like vultures, eagles, and owls. Most insects and small crawling animals, including rodents and lizards, are forbidden, with exceptions for certain hopping insects like locusts and grasshoppers.
New Testament Interpretations and Modern Practices
The New Testament presents a different perspective on these laws. A key event is Peter's vision in Acts 10, where he sees all kinds of animals and hears a voice stating that what God has cleansed should not be called unclean. This vision is widely interpreted, along with other New Testament texts, to signify that the Old Testament dietary laws are no longer binding for Christians. However, some Christian groups, such as Seventh-day Adventists, continue to follow these dietary principles for health and spiritual reasons. Judaism, based on the same biblical texts, maintains strict adherence to kosher laws.
Clean vs. Unclean Food: A Comparative View
| Feature | Clean Animals | Unclean Animals |
|---|---|---|
| Land Animals | Must have completely split hooves AND chew the cud (e.g., cattle, sheep, goat). | Must have only one of the two traits (e.g., pigs, camels) or walk on paws (e.g., cats, bears). |
| Sea Creatures | Must have both fins AND scales (e.g., tuna, salmon, cod). | Must lack fins and/or scales (e.g., shrimp, crab, lobster, catfish, eel). |
| Birds | Not specifically listed, but generally includes non-predatory and non-scavenging birds (e.g., chicken, duck, turkey). | Listed specifically as scavengers and birds of prey (e.g., eagle, vulture, owl, raven). |
| Insects | Only four-footed flying insects with jointed legs for hopping (e.g., locusts, grasshoppers). | All other flying insects and creeping things (e.g., moles, mice, lizards). |
| Other Restrictions | The Bible does not forbid clean animals that die naturally, but one is made unclean until evening by touching their carcass. | Contact with the carcass of an unclean animal makes a person and any vessel it falls on unclean. Food from such a vessel is also unclean. |
The Logic Behind the Laws
While the exact reasons for the dietary laws are not explicitly stated, theories suggest they served health and symbolic purposes. Avoiding scavengers and bottom-dwellers likely protected the Israelites from parasites and diseases. These laws also served to distinguish the Israelites as a holy people.
Conclusion: A Shift in Covenant
The Old Testament prohibits the consumption of specific animals like pork and shellfish. The New Testament, particularly Acts 10, marks a shift in perspective that for many Christians signifies the fulfillment or superseding of these laws. While not universally observed by modern believers, the historical context and the principles of health and distinction remain relevant.
An authoritative source detailing the biblical dietary laws can be found in the Enduring Word Bible Commentary on Leviticus Chapter 11.
