birds
Birds are included in the dietary laws, with specific species listed as unclean. The prohibition against eating certain birds may have been due to their scavenging nature, which could symbolize impurity. Birds like eagles, vultures, and ravens are mentioned as unclean, possibly because they feed on carrion. In the New Testament, Jesus uses birds as examples of God's provision (Matthew 6:26), showing a shift from dietary restrictions to spiritual lessons.

all living creatures that move in the water
The laws extend to aquatic life, with only those having fins and scales deemed clean. This would exclude shellfish and other sea creatures, which were common in the diets of surrounding nations. The restriction may have served to protect the Israelites from health risks associated with consuming certain types of seafood. The emphasis on fins and scales can be seen as a metaphor for discernment and separation, qualities that are spiritually significant in the life of a believer.

and all creatures that crawl along the ground
This includes insects and other small creatures, many of which are declared unclean. The prohibition against eating creatures that crawl on the ground may symbolize the need to avoid things that are lowly or base. In a broader sense, it reflects the call to rise above earthly desires and live a life of holiness. The New Testament reiterates the importance of spiritual cleanliness, as seen in Peter's vision in Acts 10, where God declares all foods clean, symbolizing the inclusion of Gentiles into the faith.

These dietary laws, while specific to the Israelites, point to a greater spiritual truth about living a life set apart for God. They foreshadow the ultimate purity and holiness found in Jesus Christ, who fulfills the law and offers a new covenant based on grace and faith.

Leviticus 11:46 opens with “This is the law,” a firm reminder that the dietary guidelines just given are not suggestions but divine commands. God’s authority stands behind every detail, just as earlier in the chapter He declared, “For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44). When the Lord calls something “law,” He is staking His holy character on it, echoing moments like Exodus 20:1 where His voice introduces the Ten Commandments, and Deuteronomy 6:1 where Moses says, “These are the commands, statutes, and ordinances the LORD your God has instructed me to teach you.” The repetition underlines that obedience is an act of worship, recognizing God’s right to order every corner of life.

The phrase continues, “regarding animals, birds…,” pointing back to verses 1-23 where God classifies land animals and winged creatures.

• Animals with a divided hoof and that chew the cud—such as the ox, sheep, and goat (Leviticus 11:3)—are declared clean, a pattern reiterated in Deuteronomy 14:4-5.

• Birds are divided into the clean (like the dove, noted in offerings in Luke 2:24) and the unclean (like the vulture, Leviticus 11:13-19).

These distinctions remind us of Genesis 7:2-3, where Noah already knew the difference between clean and unclean animals before the Law was given. Even Jesus referenced birds to illustrate the Father’s care (Matthew 6:26), underscoring that these creatures still testify to God’s order and provision.

Next we read, “all living creatures that move in the water,” directing attention to verses 9-12.

• Clean: “Whatever has fins and scales in the seas and in the streams you may eat” (Leviticus 11:9).

• Unclean: Anything in the water “without fins and scales” (v. 10).

This classification reaches back to Genesis 1:20, where God spoke marine life into existence, and forward to John 21:11, where Jesus provides a miraculous catch—fins and scales present in abundance! The law sets Israel apart, teaching discernment even at the dinner table, so that every meal became a reminder of covenant identity.

Finally, “and all creatures that crawl along the ground” covers the insects, lizards, and small animals listed in verses 29-31 and 41-43.

• Some locust varieties are clean (v. 22), a helpful protein source in the desert (cf. Mark 1:6, where John the Baptist ate locusts and wild honey).

• Most crawling things—mice, geckos, chameleons—are unclean, and touching their carcasses requires purification (Leviticus 11:31).

The sweeping scope echoes Genesis 1:24, where every creeping thing is part of God’s creative tapestry, yet Romans 1:23 warns how idolatry can degrade worship by exchanging the glory of God “for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.” By defining clean and unclean, the Lord shields Israel from both physical harm and spiritual compromise.

Leviticus 11:46 serves as God’s closing signature on a chapter that spans cattle to creeping things. He labels these rules “law,” rooting them in His holiness. By specifying land animals, birds, aquatic life, and ground-crawling creatures, the Lord teaches that His concern touches every habitat and habit. Each category recalls earlier Scriptures and anticipates later lessons, showing that obedience, separation from impurity, and daily reminders of God’s character are woven into even the simplest act of eating.

Parallel Commentaries ...