And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you.
Parallel translations
- WEB The pig, because he has a split hoof, and is cloven-footed, but doesn’t chew the cud, he is unclean to you.
- KJV And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.
- NKJV and the swine, though it divides the hoof, having cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud, is unclean to you.
- NASB And the pig, for though it has a divided hoof, and so it shows a split hoof, it does not chew cud; it is unclean to you.
- NLT The pig has evenly split hooves but does not chew the cud, so it is unclean.
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
The pig is unclean because it has split hooves but does not chew the cud. The pig becomes a notable emblem of uncleanness in Israel.
Overview
The pig meets one criterion but not the other, so it is forbidden, and it later became a vivid symbol of defilement (cf. Isaiah 65:4; Luke 15:15-16). The law set a firm boundary between Israel and surrounding peoples. In the New Testament such food distinctions are declared fulfilled in Christ (Mark 7:19; Acts 10:9-15), opening table fellowship to all nations.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Isa 66:17“Those who consecrate and purify themselves to enter the groves—to follow one in the center of those who eat the flesh of swine and vermin and rats—will perish together,” declares the LORD.
- Isa 65:4sitting among the graves, spending nights in secret places, eating the meat of pigs and polluted broth from their bowls.
- Deut 14:8as well as the pig; though it has a divided hoof, it does not chew the cud. It is unclean for you. You must not eat its meat or touch its carcass.
- Isa 66:3Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who slays a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever offers frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations.
- Matt 7:6Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
- Luke 8:33Then the demons came out of the man and went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
- Luke 15:15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed the pigs.
- 2 Pet 2:18–22With lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error.
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 11:7 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.