Leviticus 11:41-43 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Leviticus 11:20-42

Here is the law, 1. Concerning flying insects, as flies, wasps, bees, etc.; these they might not eat (Lev. 11:20), nor indeed are they fit to be eaten; but there were several sorts of locusts which in those countries were very good meat, and much used: John Baptist lived upon them in the desert, and they are here allowed them, Lev. 11:21, 22. 2. Concerning the creeping things on the earth; these were all forbidden (Lev. 11:29, 30, and again, Lev. 11:41, 42); for it was the curse of the serpent... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Leviticus 11:43-47

Here is, I. The exposition of this law, or a key to let us into the meaning of it. It was not intended merely for a bill of fare, or as the directions of a physician about their diet, but God would hereby teach them to sanctify themselves and to be holy, Lev. 11:44. That is, 1. They must hereby learn to put a difference between good and evil, and to reckon that it could not be all alike what they did, when it was not all alike what they ate. 2. To maintain a constant observance of the divine... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 11:41

And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth ,.... Nothing is called a creeping thing, as Jarchi says, but what is low, has short feet, and is not seen unless it creeps and moves: and "every creeping thing" comprehends, as Aben Ezra and Ben Gersom observe, the eight creeping things before mentioned, Leviticus 11:29 and mention is made of them here, that they might not be eaten, which is not expressed before; and being described as creeping things "on the earth", is, according to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 11:42

Whatsoever goeth upon the belly ,.... Jarchi's paraphrase is, "whatsoever goeth", as worms and beetles, and the like to them, "upon the belly", this is the serpent; and to go upon the belly is the curse denounced upon it, Genesis 3:14 this and every such creature are forbidden to be eaten; as there are others who either have no feet, or what they have so short, that they seem to go upon their belly; and yet, as horrible and detestable as the serpent is, it has been the food of some, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 11:43

Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth ,.... With any creeping thing that flies in the air, excepting the four sorts of locusts, Leviticus 11:22 and with any creeping thing in the waters, Leviticus 11:10 or with anything that creeps on the land, by eating any of them; which being abominable for food, would make the eater of them so to God, he thereby breaking a command of his: neither shall you make yourselves unclean with them ; by touching and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 11:42

Whatsoever goeth upon the belly - In the word גהון gahon , the vau holem, in most Hebrew Bibles, is much larger than the other letters; and a Masoretic note is added in the margin, which states that this is the middle letter of the law; and consequently this verse is the middle verse of the Pentateuch. Whatsoever hath more feet - Than four; that is, all many-footed reptiles, as well as those which go upon the belly having no feet, such as serpents; besides the four-footed smaller... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 11:43

Verse 43 43Ye shall not make yourselves abominable. He does not invite them to take care of their health, nor warn them of the danger of contracting’ diseases, but bids them beware of defiling themselves. And a clearer explanation is subjoined, “For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves; for I am holy.” Lest they should imagine that the main part of religion was contained in external ceremonies, they were to consider the nature of God; for, inasmuch as He is a Spirit,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 11:1-47

PART III UNCLEANNESS , CEREMONIAL AND MORAL : ITS REMOVAL OR ITS PUNISHMENT SECTION I The second section deals with the uncleanness contracted every year by the whole congregation, to be annually atoned for on the great Day of Atonement ( Leviticus 16:1-34 ), followed by a parenthetical chapter as to the place in which sacrifice is to be offered—sacrifice being the means by which purification from uncleanness is to be effected ( Leviticus 17:1-16 ). The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 11:41-43

The last class is that of vermin, which constitute a part of the un-winged creeping class already spoken of ( Leviticus 11:29 , Leviticus 11:30 ). Whatsoever goeth upon the belly indicates snakes, worms, maggots: whatsoever goeth upon all four , things that grovel, as moles, rats, hedgehogs; whatsoever hath more feet, or doth multiply feet, centipedes, caterpillars, spiders. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Leviticus 11:42

Whatsoever goeth upon the belly - i. e. all footless reptiles, and mollusks, snakes of all kinds, snails, slugs, and worms. “Whatsoever goeth upon all four;” i. e. “creeping things,” or vermin; such as the weasel, the mouse or the lizard. Whatsoever hath more feet; i. e. all insects, except the locust family (Leviticus 11:22 note), myriapods, spiders, and caterpillars. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Leviticus 11:20-42

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Leviticus 11:43-47

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 11:41

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 11:42

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 11:43

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 11:42

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 11:43

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 11:1-47

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 11:41-43

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Leviticus 11:42

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