Leviticus 11:47
New International Version
You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between living creatures that may be eaten and those that may not be eaten.’”

New Living Translation
By these instructions you will know what is unclean and clean, and which animals may be eaten and which may not be eaten.”

English Standard Version
to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean and between the living creature that may be eaten and the living creature that may not be eaten.

Berean Standard Bible
You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between animals that may be eaten and those that may not.’”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, and between the animal that may be eaten and the animal that may not be eaten.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the edible creature and the creature which is not to be eaten.

NASB 1995
to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the edible creature and the creature which is not to be eaten.

NASB 1977
to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the edible creature and the creature which is not to be eaten.

Legacy Standard Bible
to separate between the unclean and the clean, and between the edible creature and the creature which is not to be eaten.

Amplified Bible
to make a distinction between the [ceremonially] unclean and the [ceremonially] clean, and between the animal that may be eaten and the animal that may not be eaten.

Christian Standard Bible
in order to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between the animals that may be eaten and those that may not be eaten.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
in order to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between the animals that may be eaten and those that may not be eaten.”

American Standard Version
to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the living thing that may be eaten and the living thing that may not be eaten.

English Revised Version
to make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the living thing that may be eaten and the living thing that may not be eaten.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
These instructions help you distinguish between clean and unclean, the animals you may eat and those you may not eat."

Good News Translation
You must be careful to distinguish between what is ritually clean and unclean, between animals that may be eaten and those that may not.

International Standard Version
You are to differentiate between the clean and unclean, between the living creature that can be eaten and the living creature that is not to be eaten."

Majority Standard Bible
You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between animals that may be eaten and those that may not.’”

NET Bible
to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between the living creatures that may be eaten and the living creatures that must not be eaten.'"

New Heart English Bible
to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the living thing that may be eaten and the living thing that may not be eaten.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the living thing that may be eaten and the living thing that may not be eaten.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
to make separation between the unclean and the pure, and between the beast that is eaten, and the beast that is not eaten.”

Young's Literal Translation
to make separation between the unclean and the pure, and between the beast that is eaten, and the beast that is not eaten.'

Smith's Literal Translation
To separate between the unclean and between the clean, and between the beast being eaten and between the beast which shall not be eaten.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
That you may know the differences of the clean, and unclean, and know what you ought to eat, and what to refuse.

Catholic Public Domain Version
so that you may know the difference between clean and unclean, and so that you may know what you ought to eat, and what you ought to refuse.

New American Bible
that you may distinguish between the clean and the unclean, and between creatures that may be eaten and those that may not be eaten.

New Revised Standard Version
to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the living creature that may be eaten and the living creature that may not be eaten.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
To make a distinction between the unclean and the clean and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And to distinguish between the defiled and the pure and between animals that are eaten and between animals that are not eaten.'"
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
to make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the living thing that may be eaten and the living thing that may not be eaten.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
to distinguish between the unclean and the clean; and between those that bring forth alive, such as should be eaten, and those that bring forth alive, such as should not be eaten.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Clean and Unclean Animals
46This is the law regarding animals, birds, all living creatures that move in the water, and all creatures that crawl along the ground. 47You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between animals that may be eaten and those that may not.’”

Cross References
Acts 10:14-15
“No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” / The voice spoke to him a second time: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

Mark 7:18-19
“Are you still so dull?” He asked. “Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, / because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.)

Romans 14:14
I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.

1 Timothy 4:4-5
For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, / because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Matthew 15:11
A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”

Acts 15:28-29
It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements: / You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.

Colossians 2:16-17
Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. / These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.

Hebrews 9:10
They consist only in food and drink and special washings—external regulations imposed until the time of reform.

Genesis 7:2
You are to take with you seven pairs of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate; a pair of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate;

Deuteronomy 14:3-21
You must not eat any detestable thing. / These are the animals that you may eat: The ox, the sheep, the goat, / the deer, the gazelle, the roe deer, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope, and the mountain sheep. ...

Ezekiel 22:26
Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things. They make no distinction between the holy and the common, and they fail to distinguish between the clean and the unclean. They disregard My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.

Isaiah 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.

1 Corinthians 10:25-26
Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, / for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”

Romans 14:20
Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to let his eating be a stumbling block.

1 Corinthians 8:8
But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.


Treasury of Scripture

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 10:10
And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;

Ezekiel 44:23
And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

Malachi 3:18
Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

Jump to Previous
Beast Clean Creature Creatures Difference Distinction Distinguish Eaten Edible Food Marking Pure Separation Unclean Used
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Beast Clean Creature Creatures Difference Distinction Distinguish Eaten Edible Food Marking Pure Separation Unclean Used
Leviticus 11
1. What animals may be eaten
4. and what may not be eaten
9. What fishes
13. What fowls
29. The creeping things which are unclean














to distinguish
The Hebrew root for "distinguish" is "בדל" (badal), which means to separate, divide, or make a distinction. This concept is central to the holiness code in Leviticus, emphasizing the need for discernment in the life of the Israelites. The act of distinguishing is not merely about physical separation but also about spiritual discernment, reflecting God's call for His people to be set apart in purity and holiness.

between the unclean and the clean
The terms "unclean" (טמא, tamei) and "clean" (טהור, tahor) are pivotal in Levitical law. These designations go beyond physical cleanliness and touch on ritual purity, which was essential for maintaining a proper relationship with God. The distinction between clean and unclean animals served as a daily reminder of the Israelites' covenant with God and their need to live according to His standards. Historically, these laws also had practical health benefits, but their primary purpose was to teach obedience and holiness.

between the living creatures
The phrase "living creatures" (חיה, chayah) refers to all forms of life that move and breathe. In the context of Leviticus, it underscores the breadth of God's creation and His sovereignty over it. The Israelites were called to recognize God's order in creation and to respect the boundaries He established. This respect for life is a reflection of the Creator's wisdom and the inherent value He places on all living things.

that may be eaten
The permission to eat certain animals (אכל, akal) is a divine allowance that underscores God's provision for His people. The dietary laws were not arbitrary but were given for the well-being of the Israelites, both physically and spiritually. By adhering to these laws, the Israelites demonstrated their trust in God's provision and their commitment to His covenant.

and those that may not be eaten
The prohibition against eating certain animals serves as a boundary marker for the Israelites (לא אכל, lo akal). This restriction was a test of obedience and a means of preserving the distinct identity of God's people. It also served as a constant reminder of the need for purity and the importance of living according to God's commands. The dietary laws were a tangible expression of the Israelites' dedication to holiness and their separation from the practices of surrounding nations.

(47) To make a difference.--Better, that ye may put difference, as the Authorised Version renders the same word in Leviticus 10:10. That is, the design of the dietary law is to enable both the administrators of the law and the people to distinguish, by the characteristics and criteria specified above, between what is clean and unclean.

And between the beast that may be eaten.--From the fact that the same word, "beast," is used in both clauses with regard to the animal which may be eaten and the one which may not be eaten without the qualifying adjunct "clean" and "unclean," the administrators of the law during the second Temple concluded that the same clean animal is meant in both instances, under different conditions. The clean animal may be eaten when it is in a healthy state, but the same animal may not be eaten when it has organic defects, or is diseased. Hence they enacted the following canon: an animal is perfectly sound when it is capable of conceiving and bringing forth young. This is the reason why the LXX. renders the word beast here by viviparous.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You must distinguish
לְהַבְדִּ֕יל (lə·haḇ·dîl)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 914: To be divided, separate

between
בֵּ֥ין (bên)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

the unclean
הַטָּמֵ֖א (haṭ·ṭā·mê)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2931: Unclean

and the clean,
הַטָּהֹ֑ר (haṭ·ṭā·hōr)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2889: Clean, pure

between
וּבֵ֣ין (ū·ḇên)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

animals
הַֽחַיָּה֙ (ha·ḥay·yāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

that may be eaten
הַֽנֶּאֱכֶ֔לֶת (han·ne·’ĕ·ḵe·leṯ)
Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 398: To eat

and those
הַֽחַיָּ֔ה (ha·ḥay·yāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

that
אֲשֶׁ֖ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

may not.”
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no


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OT Law: Leviticus 11:47 To make a distinction between the unclean (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 11:46
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