Leviticus 11:46-47 Meaning: Called to Holiness
46“‘This is the law of the animal, and of the bird, and of every living creature that moves in the waters, and of every creature that creeps on the earth,
47to 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.’”
46This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth:
47To 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.
46This is the law of the beast, and of the bird, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth;
47to 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.
46`This is a law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature which is moving in the waters, and of every creature which is teeming on the earth,
47to make separation between the unclean and the pure, and between the beast that is eaten, and the beast that is not eaten.'
46This is the law of cattle, and of fowl, and of every living soul that moveth in the waters, and of every soul that crawleth on the earth;
47to make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that is to be eaten and the beast that is not to be eaten.
Meaning in one sentence
Learn why the clean/unclean distinctions in Leviticus 11 were given, and what they teach Christians today about living as God’s holy people.
Context
This passage closes a long chapter on which animals the people of Israel could eat and which they could not. It is not the first time these rules appear; earlier, Noah received some guidelines, and now God gives his covenant people a detailed code. The chapter lists categories: land animals, sea creatures, birds, and crawling things. Each has signs that mark it clean or unclean. The purpose of all this detail is stated in the surrounding verses: “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44, 45). The dietary laws were a daily, practical way for Israel to remember that they belonged to God in a way the other nations did not. Every meal became a lesson in making distinctions.
Key Words
The Hebrew word torah, often translated “law” in verse 46, really means “instruction” or “teaching.” It is the same word used for the first five books of the Bible. God was not just issuing rules; he was showing his people how to live wisely in relationship with him. The verb lehavdil (to separate or make a distinction) is the heart of verse 47. It is the same word used in Genesis 1 when God separated light from darkness. The whole created order depends on God making distinctions, and here he calls Israel to do the same. The adjectives tame (unclean) and tahor (pure) go beyond physical hygiene. They speak about what is fitting for a people who live near a holy God. Not all creatures are suitable for his table, and not all actions are suitable for his people.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have read this passage in different ways through the centuries. Some see the dietary laws as entirely fulfilled and abolished in Christ, pointing to Mark 7:19 and Acts 10:15 where Peter is told not to call anything impure that God has made clean. The early church debated this directly in Acts 15. Other traditions, particularly some within the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic churches, have maintained seasonal fasting rules that restrict certain foods, seeing them as a way to practice self-discipline and bodily holiness. Still others, including some Messianic Jews, voluntarily keep the dietary laws as an expression of their covenant identity. Almost all agree that the deeper principle remains: God calls his people to live distinctly, set apart for him.
A common misunderstanding
A common mistake is to think these food laws were arbitrary dietary restrictions, like a divine health manual. In fact, the text itself tells us the reason: “to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean.” The laws were not about nutrition but about teaching Israel to be holy. As Matthew Henry wrote centuries ago, God wanted them to “put a difference between good and evil” even in the ordinary act of eating.
Living This Out
You probably do not check whether the fish you buy has fins and scales before dinner. But the question at the table remains: how do you live as someone set apart for God? This week, pay attention to the small choices that shape your day. The show you watch, the way you speak to a coworker, the extra few minutes you have in the morning. Consider each one a chance to make a distinction. Not a rule you have to follow, but a sign that you belong to a different kind of kingdom. The call to holiness is not about food anymore. It is about everything.
Main takeaway: God teaches his people to make distinctions between the holy and the common, so that every part of life reflects his holiness.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God gave special rules to help Israel remember they were his people. Even what they ate showed they were different. We don't follow those rules now, but we still show the world we belong to God by how we love and help others.
For ages 9, 12
The Israelites had to learn which animals were clean and unclean because God wanted them to think about holiness in every part of life, including meals. We don't follow those laws anymore because Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19). But the idea still matters: God calls us to be distinct in how we live, speak, and treat people. Every choice can be a way to honor him.
Questions People Ask
Are Christians required to follow the dietary laws in Leviticus 11?
Most Christians believe these laws were given specifically to Israel as a sign of their covenant with God. The New Testament shows that Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19) and that God told Peter not to call anything impure that he had made clean (Acts 10:15). The early church in Acts 15 did not require Gentile believers to keep these laws. So while some Christians choose to keep them voluntarily, they are not seen as binding for all believers.
What does “clean” and “unclean” mean in Leviticus?
In Leviticus, clean and unclean are ritual and ceremonial categories, not moral ones. Clean animals could be eaten and used in worship; unclean animals were not suitable for either. The categories helped Israel understand God’s holiness and their own need to be set apart. They were not saying certain animals are morally bad.
Why did God give such detailed rules about food?
God gave these laws to teach Israel to be holy as he is holy. Every meal reminded them that they were a distinct people chosen by God. The rules also protected them from practices connected with pagan worship and unhealthy animals, but the main purpose was spiritual formation: learning to make distinctions between the pure and the impure in all of life.
Do the distinctions between clean and unclean apply to anything besides food?
Yes. The principle of making distinctions is woven throughout Leviticus and the whole Bible. The priests were to teach the people to “make a distinction between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean” (Leviticus 10:10). For Christians today, this applies to how we use our time, what we fill our minds with, and how we treat others.
For pastors & researchers
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