Among the animals, whatever divides the hoof, having cloven hooves and chewing the cud—that you may eat.
Parallel translations
- WEB Whatever parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and chews the cud among the animals, that you may eat.
- KJV Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.
- BSB You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud.
- NASB Whatever has a divided hoof, showing split hoofs, and chews the cud, among the animals, that you may eat.
- NLT You may eat any animal that has completely split hooves and chews the cud.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Animals that both chew the cud and have split hooves may be eaten. Two clear marks define clean land animals.
Overview
The twin criteria — divided hoof and chewing the cud — gave Israel a simple, memorable standard for clean meat (e.g., cattle, sheep, goats). Whatever the practical or symbolic reasons, the laws cultivated constant, conscious obedience and distinctiveness. Such daily reminders of holiness anticipate the call to present our whole lives, including the everyday, as holy to God (Romans 12:1).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- 2 Cor 6:17Therefore “‘Come out from among them, and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you.
- Prov 2:10For wisdom will enter into your heart. Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
- Deut 16:3–8You shall eat no leavened bread with it. You shall eat unleavened bread with it seven days, even the bread of affliction; for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste; that you may remember the day when you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life.
- 1 Tim 4:15Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all.
- Deut 6:6–7These words, which I command you today, shall be on your heart;
- Prov 9:6Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”
- Acts 17:11Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
- Ps 1:1–2Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers;
- Prov 2:1–2My son, if you will receive my words, and store up my commandments within you;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Every sacrifice, every priest, and every day of atonement points beyond itself to the one perfect offering and the great High Priest who, by his own blood, makes the unclean holy once for all.
How Leviticus 11:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.