What is the meaning of Leviticus 11:5? The rock badger - “The rock badger” (Leviticus 11:5) refers to a small, rabbit-sized mammal that lives among rocky crags. - God singles it out by name, just as He lists the camel and the hare in the surrounding verses (Leviticus 11:4, 6). - By identifying a familiar creature, the LORD makes the instruction unmistakably practical for everyday life (cf. Deuteronomy 14:7, where the rock badger appears again). - This specificity underscores that God’s law touches even routine choices—what His people may or may not eat (Exodus 15:26; Psalm 19:7-11). Though it chews the cud - The rock badger appears to “chew the cud,” meaning it seems to ruminate like cattle do. Scripture simply reports the observable behavior without scientific commentary. - God had already set cud-chewing as one required mark of a clean land animal (Leviticus 11:3). - Yet partial compliance is not enough; holiness demands complete obedience (James 2:10). - The detail reminds believers that outward resemblance to obedience must be matched by inward and complete conformity (1 Samuel 15:22; Matthew 23:27-28). Does not have a divided hoof - The second test for clean animals is a “divided hoof” (Leviticus 11:3). The rock badger fails this test. - Both criteria—rumination and split hoof—had to be present together for ceremonial cleanness; missing one made the animal unclean (Leviticus 11:4). - The divided hoof pictures a sure, separated walk. Without it, the animal illustrates instability and mixture, a warning against compromise (Psalm 1:1; 2 Corinthians 6:17). It is unclean for you - Because it meets only one of the two requirements, God declares, “it is unclean for you” (Leviticus 11:5). - “For you” highlights that this standard applied specifically to Israel under the Sinai covenant, marking them off from other nations (Leviticus 20:25-26). - The underlying principle endures: God’s people are called to be distinct, avoiding partial obedience that leads to defilement (1 Peter 1:15-16). - In Christ, dietary restrictions are removed (Acts 10:13-15; 1 Timothy 4:4-5), yet the call to wholehearted holiness remains (Romans 12:1-2). summary Leviticus 11:5 teaches that the rock badger, despite the appearance of meeting one divine standard, lacks the second and is therefore unclean. God uses this small creature to remind His people that partial conformity will not do; true holiness demands complete obedience and a life set apart. |
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