Leviticus 11:13-23

Why do the lists of flying creatures include exceptions?

Berean Standard Bible

13 Additionally, you are to detest the following birds, and they must not be eaten because they are detestable: the eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture, 14 the kite, any kind of falcon, 15 any kind of raven, 16 the ostrich, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, 17 the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, 18 the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, 19 the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat. 20 All flying insects that walk on all fours are detestable to you. 21 However, you may eat the following kinds of flying insects that walk on all fours: those having jointed legs above their feet for hopping on the ground. 22 Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket, or grasshopper. 23 All other flying insects that have four legs are detestable to you.

What is the context?

The chapter lists flying creatures not to be eaten and then distinguishes permitted hopping insects from other flying insects. The list itself includes the bat, so its grouping should be read as the text presents it rather than silently replaced with a modern classification system.

The permitted locust kinds show that the prohibition is not simply everything that flies or every insect. The Israelites are instructed to attend to the named distinctions. The next paragraph turns from eating to the effects of contact with carcasses.

How is this passage commonly understood?

The USCCB notes caution that the identification of several animal names is uncertain. The BSB’s names remain in the quotation above, while a precise identification of every ancient term should not be claimed without evidence. Moral allegories about the character of each bird are interpretations, not explanations supplied by this list.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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