Leviticus 11:7 Meaning and Explanation
“And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The swine supplies the reverse of the previous three examples in Israel's land-animal food law. Its hoof satisfies one part of the paired criterion, while its failure to chew the cud leaves the complete requirement unmet and makes it unclean to Israel.
Although swine have divided, cloven hooves, they do not chew the cud, so Israel was to classify them as unclean for food.
The Context of Leviticus 11:7
Leviticus 11 begins by telling Israel which land animals may be eaten. Verse 3 requires both a divided, cloven hoof and cud chewing. The camel, coney, and hare are then excluded because each is described as chewing the cud without dividing the hoof. Verse 7 turns the pattern around: swine divide the hoof yet do not chew the cud. Verse 8 applies the prohibition to eating the flesh and touching the carcass. Deuteronomy 14 repeats the same rule and conclusion. Later in Leviticus 11, carcass contact receives further instructions, and the chapter ends by connecting these distinctions with the holiness of the LORD who delivered Israel.
What Does Leviticus 11:7 Mean?
The words though and yet make the reasoning easy to follow. A divided hoof is genuinely present, and the verse even describes it as clovenfooted. That visible feature alone does not complete the rule. Cud chewing is also required. Swine therefore form a useful counterexample to the camel, coney, and hare, which were described with the other partial match. Together the examples prevent selective reasoning. Israel was to attend to the entire instruction given by God instead of choosing whichever single feature supported a preferred meal.
The declaration he is unclean to you identifies a covenant food status. It does not teach that the animal is morally guilty, nor does it authorize people to use swine language as a degrading label for human beings. Verse 8 states the practical consequences for Israel: the flesh is not to be eaten and the carcass is not to be touched. Readers should preserve those textual boundaries. Turning a food classification into an ethnic insult, a verdict on someone's worth, or permission for harassment violates the care Scripture requires toward neighbors.
Peter later remembered these distinctions when he answered the heavenly command, showing that obedience had formed his conscience over many years. God then taught him not to call any person common or unclean. That movement helps Christian readers honor Leviticus while following Christ in welcome, truth, and mercy. Jesus also located moral defilement in the evils that proceed from the human heart. His teaching confronts pride, deceit, violence, and contempt. It gives no support to ridiculing Israel's law or pressuring someone whose conscience leads to dietary abstention.
Bible Verses Related to Leviticus 11:7
“Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat. Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.”
- Leviticus 11:3-8
“And every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat. Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you. And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.”
- Deuteronomy 14:6-8
“On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 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 10:9-16
“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 11:7 Echoes in Scripture
Deuteronomy 14:8 repeats both physical observations about swine and gives the same unclean classification, food prohibition, and dead-carcass boundary. The parallel passage confirms that Leviticus 11:7 belongs to a coherent covenant rule rather than an isolated remark or a license for insulting language.
How to Apply Leviticus 11:7 Today
Read the entire criterion before drawing a conclusion, especially when one visible feature seems decisive. In conversations about food, describe convictions without attaching animal labels to people. A host can ask about dietary needs, identify ingredients clearly, prevent cross-contact where necessary, and accept a refusal graciously. A guest can state a boundary without shaming the table. Christian freedom should serve love and peace, never coercion. If an animal carcass creates a real workplace or public-health hazard today, follow trained safety guidance while treating every worker with dignity.
Reflection & Prayer
Do we use careful distinctions to practice faithful love, or turn them into weapons against our neighbors? We might pray: 'Holy LORD, teach us to receive your word attentively, reject degrading speech, respect sincere conscience, and follow Jesus in truth, humility, welcome, and practical care.'