God made some rules a long time ago about what foods are clean and okay to eat. These rules are written in the Bible, in the books called Leviticus and Deuteronomy. The Bible is a very important book for people who believe in God and Jesus. It tells us many things about how God wants us to live.
In the Bible, God tells us that some foods are “clean.” That means they are good for us to eat. But some other foods are “unclean.” That means God doesn’t want us to eat those foods. He wants us to stay away from them.
It’s important for people who follow Jesus to know about these rules. They help us understand what God likes and doesn’t like. When we follow these rules, it shows that we want to obey God and do what makes Him happy.
Some people might think these rules about food are strange or hard to follow. But God gave us these rules to help us. He wants us to be healthy and to live in a way that pleases Him.
List Of Clean And Unclean Foods In Bible
Here is a table listing the clean and unclean foods mentioned in the Bible, particularly in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14:
| Clean Foods (Permitted) | Unclean Foods (Prohibited) |
|---|---|
| Land Animals | Land Animals |
| – Animals that chew the cud and have split hooves (e.g., cattle, sheep, goats, deer, gazelle, antelope, bison, caribou, elk, giraffe, moose, ox, reindeer) | – Animals that do not chew the cud or do not have split hooves (e.g., camel, rabbit, pig) |
| – Mice, reptiles, amphibians, mollusks | |
| – Animals with paws (e.g., cats, dogs, bears, lions, tigers, leopards, cheetahs) | |
| Fish | Fish |
| – Fish with fins and scales (e.g., anchovy, barracuda, bass, bluefish, carp, cod, flounder, grouper, haddock, halibut, herring, mackerel, mahi-mahi, perch, pike, pollack, rockfish, salmon, sardine, snapper, trout, tuna) | – Fish without fins and scales (e.g., catfish, eels, sharks, rays, paddlefish, sculpins, sticklebacks, sturgeons) |
| – Shellfish and other aquatic invertebrates (e.g., oysters, clams, mussels, shrimp, crabs, lobsters, octopus, squid) | |
| Birds | Birds |
| – Chicken, turkey, grouse, partridge, pheasant, pigeon, prairie chicken, ptarmigan, quail, sagehen | – Eagle, vulture, osprey, buzzard, falcon, kite, hawk, owl, raven, crow, ostrich, stork, heron, hoopoe, bat |
| Insects | Insects |
| – Locusts, grasshoppers, crickets | – All other insects and flying creatures |
This table is based on the general guidelines provided in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. Some specific animals may not be mentioned, but the principles can be applied to determine whether they are considered clean or unclean according to the biblical dietary laws.
Clean Land Animals in the Bible
The Bible tells us which land animals are clean and okay for us to eat. These animals must have two special things about their bodies:
- They must chew the cud. This means they eat grass, swallow it, and then bring it back up to chew again.
- They must have split or divided hooves on their feet.
Some examples of clean animals that God says we can eat are:
- Cattle (cows)
- Sheep
- Goats
- Deer
- Gazelles
- Antelopes
These animals all eat grass and plants. They have the special kind of stomach that lets them chew the cud. Their feet also have the split hooves that the Bible talks about.
So if an animal chews the cud and has split hooves, it is considered a clean animal. That means it is good and healthy for people to eat.
Animals That Are Not Clean
But not all animals are clean. Some have only one of the two things needed to be clean. For example:
- Camels chew the cud but don’t have split hooves
- Pigs have split hooves but don’t chew the cud
- Rabbits and rock badgers chew the cud but don’t have split hooves
These animals are called “unclean.” God says that people should not eat their meat. Even touching the dead bodies of unclean animals can make a person unclean for some time.
Why These Rules?
God gave these rules to help keep His people healthy and holy. Many unclean animals eat dirty things or are more likely to have diseases. By not eating them, God’s people could avoid getting sick.
These laws also reminded the Israelites that they were special to God. They had to be different from other nations and follow God’s ways. Choosing to eat only clean animals was a way to obey God each day.
So the rules about clean and unclean animals were important for the health and holiness of God’s people. They helped them stay close to God and live the way He wanted them to live.
Unclean Land Animals in the Bible
In the Bible, God also tells us about some land animals that are not clean. These animals are called “unclean” because God doesn’t want His people to eat them.
Here are some examples of unclean animals:
- Pigs
- Rabbits
- Camels
- Rock badgers
These animals do not have both of the special things that God says clean animals must have.
Pigs
Pigs are one of the most well-known unclean animals. They have split hooves, but they don’t chew the cud. Pigs will eat almost anything, including dirty things like garbage or even their own poop.
God says that pigs are not good for His people to eat. Their meat is not clean, and even touching a pig’s dead body can make a person unclean.
Rabbits and Rock Badgers
Rabbits and rock badgers are other examples of unclean animals. They chew the cud, but they don’t have split hooves.
Even though they might seem cute and harmless, God still says they are not clean for His people to eat.
Camels
Camels are another unclean animal. They chew the cud, but they don’t have split hooves. Instead, their feet have soft pads.
In Bible times, camels were often used for carrying things or for riding. But God’s people were not supposed to eat their meat.
Why These Animals Are Unclean
God had good reasons for calling these animals unclean. Many of them can eat dirty things or carry diseases that could make people sick.
God wanted His people to be different from other nations. He wanted them to follow His rules and trust that He knew what was best for them.
By not eating unclean animals, the Israelites showed that they were obeying God. They were choosing to be holy and set apart for Him.
Clean Birds and Fish in the Bible
God also gave rules about which birds and fish are clean and okay to eat. Most birds are considered clean, but there are some special rules for fish.
Clean Birds
The Bible doesn’t give a specific list of clean birds. Instead, it tells us that most birds are clean and good to eat. Some common examples of clean birds are:
- Chickens
- Turkeys
- Ducks
- Geese
- Quail
- Doves
These birds are all okay for God’s people to eat. They are a good source of healthy meat.
Clean Fish
For fish to be clean, the Bible says they must have two things:
- Fins
- Scales
Fish with both fins and scales are considered clean and good to eat. Some examples of clean fish are:
- Cod
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Trout
- Haddock
- Perch
These fish all have the fins and scales that God says are important. They live in clean water and are healthy for people to eat.
Why Fins and Scales?
God had good reasons for choosing fins and scales as the signs of clean fish. Fish with these features usually live in cleaner water and eat healthier things.
Fish without scales often live in dirtier water and can eat unclean things. They might also have more diseases or parasites that could make people sick.
By following God’s rules about clean fish, the Israelites could enjoy the health benefits of eating good fish. They could also show their trust in God’s wisdom and their desire to obey Him.
A Blessing from God
The clean birds and fish that God allowed were a blessing for His people. They provided a variety of healthy and tasty foods to eat.
By choosing to eat only clean birds and fish, the Israelites showed that they were different from other nations. They were a holy people who followed God’s special rules.
Unclean Birds and Sea Creatures in the Bible
While most birds are considered clean in the Bible, there are some that God calls “unclean.” The Bible also gives rules about which sea creatures are not clean to eat.
Unclean Birds
The Bible lists some specific kinds of birds that are unclean. These include:
- Birds of prey like eagles, hawks, and vultures
- Owls
- Storks
- Herons
- Bats (which are actually mammals, not birds)
These birds are unclean because many of them eat dead animals or other unclean things. God did not want His people eating the meat of these birds.
Unclean Sea Creatures
For sea creatures, the Bible says that anything without fins and scales is unclean. This includes:
- Shellfish like shrimp, crab, lobster, oysters
- Eels and catfish (which don’t have true scales)
- Whales and dolphins (which are mammals, not fish)
Even though some of these creatures might seem tasty, God still called them unclean because they don’t have the fins and scales He required.
Why No Shellfish?
Many people wonder why shellfish like shrimp are considered unclean. One reason may be that shellfish are “bottom feeders” that eat dirt and waste from the sea floor.
Shellfish can also carry bacteria that cause diseases like cholera. In Bible times before modern cleaning methods, eating unclean shellfish could make people very sick.
Staying Clean and Holy
By avoiding unclean birds and sea creatures, the Israelites showed their commitment to following God’s commands. They trusted that God knew what was best for them.
Eating only clean animals helped set God’s people apart as holy and different. It reminded them of their special relationship with God.
Insects and Reptiles in the Bible Food Laws
The Bible also has rules about which insects and reptiles are clean or unclean to eat. Most of these creatures are considered unclean, but there are a few exceptions.
Unclean Insects
The Bible says that most insects that fly or crawl on the ground are unclean. This includes:
- Flies
- Bees
- Ants
- Beetles
- Spiders
- Caterpillars
God’s people were not supposed to eat these insects or even touch their dead bodies. Many of these bugs can carry diseases or eat dirty things that could make people sick.
Clean Insects
However, there are a few kinds of insects that the Bible calls clean. These are:
- Locusts
- Crickets
- Grasshoppers
These insects all have jointed legs for hopping on the ground. God said that the Israelites could eat these bugs if they wanted to.
In some parts of the world, people still eat locusts and grasshoppers today. They can be a good source of protein when other food is hard to find.
Unclean Reptiles
The Bible also says that reptiles like lizards and snakes are unclean. This includes:
- Geckos
- Chameleons
- Crocodiles
- Turtles
These animals often live in dirty places and can carry diseases. God did not want His people to eat them or even touch their dead bodies.
Why These Rules?
The rules about insects and reptiles may seem strange to us today. But in Bible times, these creatures were often seen as dirty or dangerous.
By avoiding unclean insects and reptiles, the Israelites showed their trust in God’s wisdom. They believed that following His rules would keep them healthy and holy.
These laws also reminded God’s people that they were set apart for a special purpose. They had to be different from the nations around them and live in a way that honored God.
Why Did God Make Rules About Clean and Unclean Foods?
You might wonder why God gave so many specific rules about what foods are clean and unclean to eat. The Bible gives us a few important reasons:
To Keep His People Holy
One big reason for the food laws was to help God’s people stay holy and set apart. The Bible says:
“You shall be holy to me, for I the Lord am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine.” (Leviticus 20:26)
By obeying God’s commands about food, the Israelites showed they belonged to Him. They were different from other nations who didn’t follow these rules.
For Their Health
Many of the unclean animals could spread diseases or make people sick if eaten. The food laws protected God’s people from:
- Getting infections from eating bottom-feeding fish or insects
- Catching diseases from scavenging birds that eat dead animals
- Becoming ill from unclean animals that don’t digest food properly
In this way, the clean and unclean rules helped the Israelites stay healthy, especially before modern cleaning and cooking methods.
To Test Their Obedience
Following all the detailed rules about food was a daily test of the Israelites’ obedience and trust in God. He wanted them to rely on His wisdom, even if they didn’t understand all the reasons behind the commands.
By choosing to only eat clean foods, God’s people showed their commitment to Him and His ways. It was an act of worship and devotion.
A Lesson in Self-Control
The food laws also helped teach self-control. The Israelites had to resist the temptation to eat anything they wanted, like their neighboring nations did.
Saying no to unclean foods reminded them to exercise discipline in other areas of life too. It prepared them to follow God’s greater laws about how to live.
Do the Food Laws Still Apply to Christians Today?
The Bible’s rules about clean and unclean foods were very important for God’s people in the Old Testament. But do those same laws still apply to Christians today? There are different views on this:
Some Christians Still Follow the Food Laws
Some Christians, especially from Jewish backgrounds, choose to continue following the Old Testament food laws. They believe the laws are still valid because:
- The Bible never says the food laws were cancelled or only temporary
- Jesus said He did not come to abolish the laws (Matthew 5:17)
- The laws promote health and holiness, which are still good principles
For these Christians, obeying the clean and unclean rules is part of their life of faith and obedience to God’s Word.
Most Christians Believe the Laws No Longer Apply
However, most Christians today believe the Old Testament food laws are no longer required. Some key reasons are:
- In Mark 7, Jesus declared all foods clean
- The apostles in Acts stopped observing the food laws
- In Romans and Colossians, Paul said believers don’t need to follow food rules
Many Christians view the food laws as part of the old covenant that is no longer binding under the new covenant through Christ.
A Matter of Personal Conviction
Because of these different interpretations, most churches leave it up to individual Christians to decide if they want to observe the biblical food laws or not.
Some may choose to follow them for health reasons or personal convictions. Others feel free to eat any food sold at the market.
The New Testament instructs believers not to judge each other over these matters, but to pursue peace and mutual understanding.
The Greater Principle
While Christians may disagree on the food laws, most agree that spiritual purity is more important than physical purity.
Jesus emphasized that it’s not what goes into the body that defiles a person, but what comes out of the heart (Mark 7:20-23).
Health Benefits of the Bible’s Clean Food Laws
Even though not all Christians follow the Bible’s clean and unclean food laws today, many people believe these rules still offer good health benefits. Here’s how:
Clean Animals Are Generally Healthier
The animals that God called “clean” in the Bible are generally considered healthier to eat than the unclean ones. For example:
- Clean fish with fins and scales tend to live in cleaner water and have fewer toxins
- Clean birds like chicken and turkey are low in fat and high in protein
- Clean land animals like cattle and sheep are less likely to carry diseases than pigs or rabbits
By choosing to eat clean meats, people can often avoid some health risks and enjoy better nutrition.
Unclean Animals Can Carry Diseases
Many of the animals that the Bible calls “unclean” are more likely to carry diseases that can make people sick. For instance:
- Pigs can carry parasites like trichinosis and tapeworms
- Shellfish can contain harmful bacteria and toxins
- Scavenger birds like vultures can spread salmonella and other illnesses
Avoiding these unclean animals can help reduce the chances of getting food poisoning or other diseases.
The Laws Encourage Healthy Eating Habits
Following the Bible’s food laws can also promote healthy eating habits in general. The laws encourage people to:
- Eat more plant-based foods like grains, fruits, and vegetables
- Choose lean, clean meats instead of fatty or contaminated ones
- Avoid consuming blood or animal fat, which can raise cholesterol
These principles are in line with what many health experts recommend today for good nutrition and disease prevention.
A Holistic Approach to Health
The Bible’s food laws are not just about physical health, but also about spiritual well-being. They remind us that:
- God cares about what we eat and how we treat our bodies
- Choosing clean foods can be an act of obedience and worship
- Physical and spiritual health are connected and important to God
Living by the Spirit of the Clean and Unclean Food Laws
While Christians may disagree on whether to literally follow the Bible’s food laws today, we can all learn from the principles behind them. The clean and unclean rules teach us to:
Pursue Spiritual Purity
The physical laws about clean and unclean foods pointed to a deeper spiritual truth – God wants His people to be pure in heart and mind. Jesus said:
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
Just as the Israelites were called to avoid unclean foods, we too should avoid anything that “defiles” or pollutes our souls. This includes:
- Impure thoughts and desires
- Harmful media and entertainment
- Unholy relationships and influences
We need to guard our hearts and minds, pursuing spiritual cleanliness above all.
Obey God’s Commands
The food laws reminded the Israelites to obey God’s Word, even when it seemed strange or hard. As Christians, we are also called to:
- Study and follow God’s commands in the Bible
- Trust that God’s ways are best, even if we don’t understand
- Obey God’s principles, not just rules, from the heart
Obeying God’s instructions shows our love and commitment to Him as our Lord.
Live Set Apart
By keeping the clean laws, the Israelites were set apart as holy and different. As God’s people today, we too should live distinct from the world’s values. This could mean:
- Having different priorities and lifestyles
- Making choices that honor God, not ourselves
- Being a light that points others to Jesus
The goal is not pride, but humbly representing God well in how we live.
Eat and Live with Self-Control
The food laws promoted self-discipline and healthy habits. As Christians, we need self-control in how we eat and live, avoiding anything excessive or harmful. This includes:
- Controlling our appetites for food and pleasure
- Practicing moderation and balance in all things
- Making choices that honor God with our bodies
Self-control is part of living by the Spirit’s power.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Bible’s laws about clean and unclean foods were an important part of God’s covenant with His people in the Old Testament. These rules taught the Israelites to be holy, obedient, and set apart for God in their daily lives.
While Christians today may have different views on whether these food laws still apply, we can all learn from the spiritual principles behind them. The laws remind us to pursue purity in our hearts and minds, to obey God’s commands from the heart, to live distinctly from the world’s ways, and to practice self-control in all we do.
Whether we follow the specific food rules or not, we can still make choices that honor God with our bodies and lives. This means avoiding anything that pollutes our souls, seeking to please God in all we do, and living by the Spirit’s power each day.
