Leviticus 11:46 Meaning and Explanation
“This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth:”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Leviticus formally summarizes the comprehensive reach of the chapter's covenant creature law across four broad settings: beasts, fowl, every living creature moving in the waters, and every creature creeping upon the earth. The final verse will clearly state this law's distinguishing purpose.
This chapter's covenant law comprehensively addresses beasts, fowl, living creatures moving in the waters, and creatures creeping upon the earth.
The Context of Leviticus 11:46
The chapter begins with the LORD speaking to Moses and Aaron about animals Israel may eat. It gives criteria and examples for land beasts and water creatures, lists prohibited fowls, treats flying creeping things, and explains numerous carcass-contact cases involving people and household resources. Verses 41 through 43 close the creeping-creature prohibition. Verses 44 and 45 ground Israel's holiness in the holy LORD who brought the people out of Egypt to be their God. Verse 46 gathers the chapter's scope into four creature groupings. Verse 47 then states the purpose: to distinguish between unclean and clean and between an animal that may be eaten and one that may not be eaten.
What Does Leviticus 11:46 Mean?
This is the law signals a formal summary rather than one more isolated animal rule. The verse names beasts, fowl, every living creature moving in the waters, and every creature creeping upon the earth. Those categories correspond to the major movements of the chapter. By gathering them here, Scripture shows that the earlier details belong to one coherent instruction. The colon points forward to verse 47, where the purpose of making distinctions is stated. A complete study must therefore read the two closing lines together.
The creature groupings are practical categories in the KJV's description of the law. They should not be forced into a modern scientific taxonomy or treated as though the chapter intended to answer every biological question. Their function is to cover the living domains and food decisions addressed throughout Leviticus 11. Traditional animal names and movement descriptions can carry identification uncertainty while the chapter's covenant purpose remains clear. Careful readers preserve both realities, refusing invented precision and equally refusing to dismiss God's ordered teaching.
Jesus and the apostles engage clean and unclean food categories within the unfolding life of God's people. Peter's vision, followed by his welcome into Cornelius's house, particularly warns Christians against calling any person common or unclean. That later instruction does not make Leviticus 11 worthless; it displays how deeply the law had formed Peter and how clearly God directed his next obedience. Christian study should honor the whole scriptural movement, pursue holiness in Christ, respect dietary conscience, and keep creature classifications from becoming excuses for human exclusion.
Bible Verses Related to Leviticus 11:46
“And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth. Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.”
- Leviticus 11:1-3
“For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth: To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.”
- Leviticus 11:44-47
“And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.”
- Acts 10:13-16
“And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?”
- Acts 10:28-29
Where Leviticus 11:46 Echoes in Scripture
The opening verses announce detailed instruction about beasts Israel may eat, and the intervening sections move through the same creature groupings summarized here. Verse 47 supplies the clear educational goal, making faithful distinction the organizing purpose of the entire covenant law.
How to Apply Leviticus 11:46 Today
Outline Leviticus 11 by its own categories before extracting a theme from one verse. Track land beasts, water creatures, fowls, creeping things, and carcass effects, then read the holiness and purpose statements. Do not advertise the categories as modern zoological science or mock them for serving a different task. In group study, disclose uncertainty around traditional animal names and keep covenant conclusions clear. In meals and ministry, ask about dietary needs without interrogation, provide safe alternatives, and never use animal categories to rank human cultures. Let a comprehensive law produce comprehensive attentiveness rather than selective proof texts.
Reflection & Prayer
Can we follow the whole shape of God's instruction instead of collecting isolated details? We might pray: 'God of order, teach us to read patiently, honor every part of your word, follow Jesus faithfully, and protect every neighbor from careless exclusion.'