What Meat Did the Bible Say to Eat? Understanding Old and New Testament Guidelines

November 15, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the Old Testament, the first dietary laws were given to Moses and Aaron, establishing a distinction between 'clean' and 'unclean' animals. So, what meat did the Bible say to eat and avoid, and how do these ancient rules apply to believers today?

Quick Summary

An exploration of biblical dietary laws regarding meat, from the detailed clean and unclean guidelines in the Old Testament to the shift in perspective found in the New Testament concerning food and conscience.

Key Points

Old Testament Restrictions: The Old Testament defines 'clean' land animals as those with split hooves that chew the cud, and 'clean' fish as those with fins and scales.
Forbidden Meats: The Bible prohibits the consumption of pork, shellfish, scavenger birds, and certain insects under the Old Covenant laws.
New Testament Freedom: Jesus declared all foods clean, shifting the focus from ritual purity of food to the spiritual purity of the heart.
Conscience and Love: Paul's letters emphasize that a believer's dietary choice is a matter of personal conscience, and that one should not cause another believer to stumble with their food choices.
No Universal Christian Diet: Most Christian denominations do not enforce the Old Testament dietary laws, viewing them as fulfilled in Christ and no longer binding.
Genesis and Meat: Permission to eat meat was given after the Flood (Genesis 9:3), but a vegetarian diet was presented as the original, ideal diet in the Garden of Eden.

Old Testament Dietary Laws: The Foundation of Clean and Unclean

The most comprehensive dietary laws regarding meat in the Bible are found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. These passages detail which animals were considered ritually clean and therefore permissible for consumption, and which were unclean and forbidden. These rules served to set the Israelite people apart as holy.

Clean Land Animals

Land animals were considered clean if they had a completely split hoof and chewed the cud. Clean animals mentioned include cattle, sheep, goats, deer, gazelles, and antelope.

Unclean Land Animals

Animals that did not meet the criteria of chewing the cud and having split hooves were forbidden, such as pigs, camels, rabbits, and rock badgers. Scavengers and predators were also deemed unclean.

Aquatic Animals, Birds, and Insects

Aquatic life was clean only if it had both fins and scales. Shellfish and other marine animals without fins and scales were forbidden. Birds of prey and scavengers were listed as unclean, while others like chickens were implicitly clean. Certain hopping insects were permitted, while others were not.

The New Testament and a New Perspective on Meat

The New Testament brought a significant shift in the application of dietary laws. Jesus declared that external food does not defile a person, but internal thoughts do (Mark 7:18-19). Peter's vision in Acts 10 further emphasized that God has made all foods clean. The Apostle Paul taught that dietary choices are a matter of personal conscience and faith, advising against judging others based on what they eat. He also stressed the importance of not causing fellow believers to stumble.

Comparison of Biblical Meat Guidelines


Feature	Old Testament (Leviticus & Deuteronomy)	New Testament (Mark, Acts, Romans)
Land Animals	Explicit list of clean (chew cud, split hoof) and unclean animals.	All foods are declared clean by Jesus.
Aquatic Life	Must have fins and scales.	No specific restrictions; all foods made clean.
Birds	Prohibits predatory and scavenging birds.	No specific restrictions on bird types.
Theological Principle	Focus on holiness and separation for Israel.	Focus on inward spiritual purity and freedom in Christ; importance of love.
Applicability for Believers Today	Some denominations still follow or draw inspiration from these laws.	Most Christian denominations do not consider these laws binding.

Conclusion: A Shift from Regulation to Conscience

The Bible's teaching on what meat to eat evolves from the detailed regulations in the Old Testament for the Israelites to a New Testament emphasis on conscience, faith, and love for all believers. While the Old Testament laws served a purpose within the Mosaic covenant, most Christians understand them as fulfilled in Christ. Today, decisions about eating meat are generally considered personal, guided by Christian principles.

A Note on Vegetarianism in the Bible

Before the fall, the initial diet described in Genesis 1:29 was vegetarian. Permission to eat meat was given after the Flood (Genesis 9:3). Some interpret this as God's original intent or a progressive revelation. In the New Testament, vegetarianism is a matter of personal conviction, not a requirement for salvation.

The Importance of Context

Understanding the context of Old Testament laws (specific to Israel) and New Testament teachings (for all believers) is vital. Believers are encouraged to honor God in their choices, considering both thankfulness and the impact on others.

A Broader Principle of Christian Freedom

The discussion about meat exemplifies Christian freedom, which is guided by not causing a fellow believer to stumble (Romans 14:21). This principle prioritizes unity and love over personal preferences.

The Health and Ethical Considerations

The Old Testament laws, besides promoting holiness, may have offered health benefits in ancient times by avoiding potentially unsafe animals. Modern dietary choices often involve health and ethical considerations. The Bible's changing perspective indicates that some regulations were specific to a time and context, while God's moral law is eternal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, in the Old Testament, specifically in Leviticus 11:7, the pig is explicitly listed as an unclean animal. However, based on New Testament teachings, most Christians do not consider this law binding today.

These dietary laws helped set the Israelites apart as a holy people and potentially offered health benefits.

Most Christians believe it is not a sin, as Jesus declared all foods clean and New Testament teachings indicate these laws are not binding for believers.

Clean land animals had split hooves and chewed the cud; clean aquatic animals had fins and scales. Unclean animals lacked one or both characteristics.

Permitted meats included cattle, sheep, goats, deer, and fish with fins and scales, as well as certain birds.

Yes, the New Testament records Jesus eating fish and observing the Passover, which involved eating lamb.

Yes, vegetarianism is a personal choice not forbidden by the Bible, and Paul's teachings allow for different dietary convictions.

This vision in Acts 10, where God declares all foods clean, is understood to primarily signify the inclusion of Gentiles and the end of Mosaic food laws.