Topical Bible: Beasts: Clean used for Sacrifice

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In the biblical context, the term "clean beasts" refers to animals that were deemed suitable for consumption and sacrificial offerings according to the Mosaic Law. These animals were distinguished from "unclean" animals, which were prohibited for both dietary and sacrificial purposes. The classification of clean and unclean animals is primarily found in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy.

Biblical Criteria for Clean Beasts

The criteria for determining clean animals are outlined in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. Clean land animals are those that both chew the cud and have a split hoof. Examples include cattle, sheep, and goats. Leviticus 11:3 states, "You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud."

Clean birds, as listed in Deuteronomy 14:11-20, include species such as doves and pigeons, which were commonly used in sacrificial rites. Clean fish are those with fins and scales, as specified in Leviticus 11:9-12.

Sacrificial Use of Clean Beasts

Clean animals played a central role in the sacrificial system established by God for the Israelites. These sacrifices were integral to worship, atonement, and covenantal practices. The primary clean animals used for sacrifices included:

1. Oxen and Cattle: These were often used in burnt offerings and peace offerings. In Leviticus 1:3 , it is stated, "If one's offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer an unblemished male."

2. Sheep and Goats: These animals were frequently used in various offerings, including sin offerings and guilt offerings. Leviticus 4:32 mentions, "If, however, he brings a lamb as a sin offering, he is to bring an unblemished female."

3. Doves and Pigeons: These birds were used particularly by those who could not afford larger animals. Leviticus 1:14 notes, "If, instead, he brings a burnt offering from the birds, he is to offer a turtledove or a young pigeon."

Symbolism and Significance

The use of clean animals in sacrifices was not merely a ritualistic requirement but held deep symbolic significance. The requirement for animals to be "unblemished" underscored the need for purity and perfection in offerings made to God. This foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is described as the "Lamb of God" (John 1:29), sinless and perfect, fulfilling the sacrificial system once and for all.

The sacrificial system, with its emphasis on clean animals, served as a constant reminder of the holiness of God and the need for atonement and reconciliation with Him. It highlighted the gravity of sin and the costliness of redemption, themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 8:20
And Noah built an altar to the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Beast
... one. Under the Law lambs were ceremonially clean and used in sacrifice,
but beasts were unclean and unfit for sacrifices. It is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/4 the beast.htm

Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ...
... if mice, lizards, or the like, which they used to sacrifice ... were gathered by "a man
that is clean," because the ... it would be devoured by wild beasts, because it ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be any 2.htm

Chapter vii
... one Noah could conveniently offer for sacrifice after the ... would read in reference
to these clean beasts, "a man ... expression is the same as that used in Genesis 2 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter vii.htm

The Cleansing of the Temple.
... to purchase on the spot the animals used in sacrifice ... flaming eyes violently driving
before Him men and beasts. ... before it, and swept God's house clean of the ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/vi the cleansing of the.htm

The Survival of the Fittest.
... and offered sacrifice to Jehovah of every clean beast and ... family and household; Cattle
of the field, beasts of the ... of a principle, that the words are used in a ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kent/the making of a nation/study iv the survival of.htm

Whether a Suitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which ...
... from God the dominion over birds and beasts, so also ... to slay these animals, wherefore
they used not to ... sustained: and moreover they are most clean, and partake ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a suitable cause can.htm

What Happened to the Hebrews During Thirty-Eight Years in the ...
... And if any slay beasts at home for a private ... He brought a heifer that had never been
used to the ... a little distance from the camp, into a place perfectly clean. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 what happened to.htm

The Conversion of Cornelius.
... Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean ... that the distinction
of meats into clean and unclean was ... proper for food might be used with a ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xiii the conversion of.htm

Leviticus
... fair to remember that the hymn-book used by these ... are enjoined to distinguish between
the clean and the ... of animals dying naturally or torn by beasts is not to ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/leviticus.htm

1 Cor. x. 25
... if the earth and the fruits and the beasts be all ... not as of idol-sacrifices, but
as of things clean. ... were unprofitable also: eg, when I used circumcision, when ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxv 1 cor x.htm